Botanic Remedies 103 



exist in varying proportions in the various plants 

 of the species, and racemisation occurs in the 

 process of extraction, rendering the alkaloidal 

 therapy complex. 



Qualitatively the actions of the various alkaloids 

 are somewhat similar and a statement of the action 

 of ATROPINE will serve, qualitatively considered. 

 The peripheral action is opposed to those phenomena 

 exhibited by pilocarpine, muscarine, and physostig- 

 mine, paralyzing their stimulating effects on invol- 

 untary muscle and gland cells. Atropine paralyzes 

 the nerve-endings of the cerebral and sacral auto- 

 nomic systems and the true sympathetic nerve- 

 endings in the sweat glands. Certain irregularities 

 occur involving the blocking of impulses. 



The peripheral action of atropine tends to diminish 

 secretion and to arrest it in large doses; but the 

 quantitative effect varies, bile and milk being 

 somewhat diminished, pancreatic secretion and 

 gastric secretion being somewhat diminished but 

 largely under normal physiologic stimulus, urine 

 and lymph being little if any diminished, but saliva, 

 tears, mucus of the mouth and respiratory passages 

 markedly diminished, and the sweat diminished 

 most of all. 



Atropine produces mydriasis and loss of accom- 

 modation; it causes a rise in intraocular tension. 



In very small doses atropine annuls the inhibitor 

 effect of the vagus on the heart and its motor action 

 on the muscular coats of the bronchioles. 



On the nerve-endings of cerebral nerves in most 

 other tracts atropine has little influence; but in 

 large doses it depresses all involuntary muscle 

 (Cushny). There is slight local anesthesia. 



In man atropine induces garrulity, confusion of 



