440 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



fully by powerful anodynes and antispasmodics (opium and 

 belladonna). 



In chronic or long continued fevers, the use of aconite 

 should not be persisted in, but it should be given at the very 

 outset of fevers and repeated frequently in small doses. 

 T(\y. for the horse, and TTtss. for the dog, every fifteen 

 minutes for two hours, and afterwards TTLx. for the horse, 

 and TTti- for the dog, hourly, being governed by the condition 

 of the pulse and temperature. Aconite is a useful sedative 

 in some cardiac disturbances. It quiets nervous palpitation, 

 and that form resulting from hypertrophy of the heart. It 

 can be administered to advantage in the first stages of acute 

 pericarditis and endocarditis. 



Veratrum Viride. Veratrum Viride. 



Synonym. — Veratri viridis rhizoma,'B. P.; American 

 hellebore, green hellebore root, Indian poke root, E. ; 

 griiuer germer, G. 



The rhizome and roots of Veratrum viride Solander (nat 

 ord. Liliacese). 



Description. — Rhizome upright, obconical, simple or 

 divided, from 3 to 8 Cm. long and 2 to 4 or 5 Cm. thick; 

 externally blackish-gray, internally grayish-white ; showing 

 numerous short, irregular wood-bundles. Roots emanating 

 from all sides of the rhizome, numerous, shrivelled, light 

 yellowish-brown ; about 10 to 20 Cm. long and 2 Mm. thick. 

 Inodorous, but strongly sternutatory when powdered ; taste 

 bitterish and very acrid. 



Constituents. — 1. Jervine (CjiHa^NOg), a pure alkaloid, 

 occurring also in veratrum album. 2. Veratroidine or ceva- 

 dine ; an impure alkaloid, non-crystallizable, composed 

 chiefly of rubijervine in combination with resin and other 

 bodies. It is said to be identical with veratrine. 3. Pseu- 

 dojerviue. 4. Traces of rubijervine. 5. A resin, nearly 

 inert, but a gastro-intestinal irritant. 



Veratrum Viride Dose.^B.. & C, 3 ss.-i. (2.-4.) ; Sh. & 

 Sw., gr.xx.-xxx. (1.3-2.); D., gr.^i. (.006-.06). 



