ERGOT 599 



au alkaloid which, with (2) sphaceliiiic or sphacelic acid 

 (a non-nitrogenoiis, unstable substance, insoluble in water 

 but soluble in alkalies), constitute, according to many, the 

 more important active principles ; thej both cause con- 

 traction of the uterus and blood vessels ; 3, three alkaloids : 

 ergotine (C50H52N2O3), soluble in water and alcohol ; ecboline, 

 amorphous, soluble in water and alcohol ; ergotinine 

 (CggH^oN^Oe), crystalline ; 4, two acids : ergotic or ergotinic 

 acid and sclerotinic acid (1-4 per cent) ; both are soluble 

 in water and alkalies and are said to possess ecbolic actions ; 

 5, a fixed oil, about 35 per cent.; 6, tannin; 7, phosphoric acid. 

 Alcohol extracts cornutine ; water, the salts of the acids. 

 Therefore ergotin is believed to represent the activity of the 

 drug. Ammonia is considered the best solvent by the Brit. 

 Pha,rm, Conference, which recommends a tine, ergotse 

 ammoniata consisting of ergot, 1 part, aromatic spirit of 

 ammonia, 2 parts. The dose is the same as that of the fluid 

 extract. 



Dose.—R, & C, 5 ss.-i. (15.-30.) ; Sh. & S., 3 i.-ii. (4.-8.); 

 D., 3 ss.-i. (2.-4.). 



PREPARATIONS. 



Extr actum Ergotce Fluidum. Fluid Extract of Ergot. (U. S. P.) 

 Made by maceration and percolation with diluted alcohol, and 



evaporation, so that 1 Cc. = 1 Gm. of ergot. 



Dose.— H. & C, § ss.-i. (15.-30.); Sh. & Sw., 3 i.-ii. (4.-8.); D., 



3 ss.-i. (2.-4.). 



Extractum Ergotce. Extract of Ergot. (U. S. P.) 

 Synonym— YiY^oiin. 



Made by evaporation of the fluid extract to a pilular consistence. 

 Dose.— H. & C, gr.xx.-3i. (1.3-4.); D., gr.ii.-x. (.12-.6). (By 

 mouth or subcutaneouslj . ) 



Extractum Ergotce Liquidum. (B. P.) 



( 1 i. ( rgot = 1 i. of preparation.) 



Dose.— H. & C, 3iv. (15.); Sh. & Sw., 3 i. (4.); D., mxv.-xxx. 

 (1.-2.). 



Tinctura Ergotce. (B. P.) 



(109 gr. to §i.) 

 Dose.— H. & C, §ss.-ii. (15.-60.); Sh. & Sw., 3 i.-iv. (4.-15.); D., 

 3ss.ii. (2.-8.). 



