444 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



enteritis, peritonitis, and abdominal wounds and injuries. 

 Veratrum viride is said to relieve pain, lower temperature, 

 and lessen the duration of acute rheumatic fever. 



VERATRUM ALBUM. 



Synonym. — Yeratri albi rhizoma, white hellebore root, R 

 Habitat. — Europe (used on the continent). 

 Constituents. — 1. Jervine. 2. Yeratralbine, which is 

 allied to veratrine. Veratrum album generally resembles 

 veratrum viride, but it is a more powerful gastro-intestinal 

 irritant. The Germans recommend it to be given as an 

 emetic to swine, in milk, gr.v.-xx. (.3-1.3), and as an emetic to 

 cattle, 3 iv.-vi. (16.-24.). Its use is, however, attended with 

 some danger in these doses. 



Veratrina; Veratrine. (U. S. <fe B. P.) 



A mixture of alkaloids obtained from the seed of 

 Asagrsea officinalis (Schlechtendal et Chamisso) Lindley 

 (nai ord. Liliacese). (U. S. P.) 



Derivation. — Obtained from the seed by alcohol, which 

 is recovered by distillation, and the residue is treated with 

 water to precipitate resins ; filtered, and veratrine is precipi- 

 tated from the filtrate by ammonia. It is further purified by 

 solution in water, decolorization, and reprecipitation. 



Properties. — A white, or grayish- white, amorphous, or 

 semi-crystalline powder ; odorless, but causing intense irri- 

 tation and sneezing when even a minute quantity reaches 

 the nasal mucous membrane ; having an acrid taste, and leav- 

 ing a sense of tingling and numbness on the tongue. Per- 

 manent in the air. Very slightly soluble in cold or hot 

 water; soluble in 3 parts of alcohol, and very soluble in 

 boiling alcohol ; also soluble in 6 parts of ether, and in 2 

 parts of chloroform. 



Dose.—R., gr.ss.-ii. (.03-.12); C, gr.ii.-v. (.12-.3) ; D., 

 gr.,V-^ (.0012-006). 



The smaller doses to be given subcutaneously. 



