442 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



Circulation. — Yeratroidine mainly influences tlie cardiac 

 inhibitory apparatus. When artificial respiration is practised^ 

 so that the effect of the substance on the respiratory centres 

 will not overcome the action on the circulation, it is found 

 that the alkaloid slows the heart's action in moderate doses 

 by stimulating the pneumogastric centres. Large toxic 

 doses, on the other hand, paralyze the vagus nerve endings 

 in the heart, and the cardiac pulsations therefore become 

 veiy frequent. The vasomotor centres are uninfluenced by 

 ordinary quantities of veratroidine. 



Eespiration. — The depressing action of veratroidine on 

 the respiratory functions is more marked than that exerted 

 on the heart, so that, unless artificial respiration is sustained, 

 asphyxia supervenes, and this leads to vasomotor spasm and 

 great rise of blood pressure. Death ensues from respiratory 

 failure. 



Nervous System. — The influence of veratroidine upon 

 the nervous system is similar to that of jervine, but the 

 spasmodic phenomena are not so prominent. 



VERATRUM VIRIDE. 



Action Internal. — The action of the drug is a resultant 

 of the action of jervine and veratroidine. 



Circulation. — The most noteworthy therapeutic value of 

 veratrum viride depends upon its effect on the circulation. 

 It first lowers the force (jervine), and, if continued, the 

 frequency (veratroidine and jervine) of the pulse, and alsa 

 reduces vascular tension. Veratrum viride is considerably 

 more powerful than aconite, which depresses the action of 

 the heart but does not directly lessen arterial action. Vera- 

 trum viride is, however, inferior to aconite for general pur- 

 poses, as it does not possess the anodyne, diarphoretic, or 

 diuretic properties peculiar to the latter drug. 



The temperature is reduced several degrees by large 

 doses of veratrum viride. 



Toxicology. — The symptoms exhibited in veratrum viride 

 poisoning are : salivation, vomiting, or attempts at vomiting. 



