IPECAC 449 



Syrupus Ipecacuanhce. Syrup of Ipecac. (U. S. P.) 

 Fluid extract of ipecac, 70 ; acetic acid, 10 ; glycerin, 100 ; sugar, 

 700 ; water to make 1000. 



Dose.—D. (expectorant), ttixv.- 3 i. (1.-4.). 



Vinum Ipecacuanhce. Wine of Ipecac. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Fluid extract of ipecac, 100 ; alcohol, 100 ; white wine, 800. 

 (U.S. P.) 



Dose.— Same as syrup of ipecac. 



Ptilvis Ipecacuanhce et Opii. (See opium.) 

 Tinctura Ipecacuanhce et Opii. (See opium ) 



Action External. — Ipecac, and still more emetine, are 

 decided irritants when applied to mucous membranes, raw 

 surfaces, or even to the unbroken skin ; causing, variously, 

 hypersemia, vesication, pustulation, and ulceration, according 

 to their strength and the mode of application. Ipecac is 

 said to possess some antiseptic properties not resident in 

 emetine. 



Action Internal — Digestive Tract. — Ipecac is naturally a 

 local irritant in the alimentary canal as well as externally. 

 It increases the flow of saliva and gastric juice, besides 

 dilating the blood vessels of the stomach. Small doses are 

 stomachic, improving the digestion and tone of the gastric 

 mucous membrane, and, in some cases, minute quantities are 

 anti-emetic in allaying vomiting. Large doses, on the other 

 hand, cause a little nausea and free vomiting. It is probable 

 that emetine is not, as frequently stated, a specific emetic; 

 that is, it does not act directly on the vomiting centre, 

 although vomiting is produced, when emetine is thrown into 

 the blood, by means of its elimination through the stomach. 

 This is substantiated by the following facts : (1) Emetine is 

 recovered in the first vomitus after its subcutaneous injec- 

 tion. (2) Yomition does not occur so rapidly, and more 

 emetine is required, when the alkaloid is injected in place of 

 being ingested. (3) Furthermore, when the vagus is pre- 

 viously divided, vomiting does not follow hyperdermic medi- 

 cation of emetine. The act does, however, follow the admin- 

 istration of apomorphine and tartar emetic under similar 



