190 Botanic Drugs 



to the effects of narcotine and thebain, minor opium 

 alkaloids. The medulla is stimulated, as well as 

 the cord, while respiration is accelerated and blood- 

 pressure raised from central stimulation. The ac- 

 tion on the circulation is the resultant of several 

 factors, and hence is not marked or regular. 

 Hydrastine stimulates intestinal movements and 

 the uterine muscle. It is excreted unchanged. 



HYDRASTININE does not occur naturally in hy- 

 drastis, but is an artificial alkaloid derived by oxi- 

 dation from hydrastine, as cotarnine is derived 

 from narcotine. See "Cotarnine." Cotarnine, its 

 allies, and hydrastinine, depress the central nervous 

 system to a slight degree, and in very large doses 

 paralyze the respiratory center. Hydrastinine 

 strengthens and slows the heart-beat, and produces 

 a slight vaso-constriction of the arterioles. It is 

 claimed to stimulate the suprarenal function. Hy- 

 drastinine increases uterine tonus, its excitability, 

 and the rhythm of the muscle. See "Stypticin" and 

 "Styptol."' 



BERBERINE is a bitter that in large doses produces 

 a fall in blood-pressure through vaso-dilation and 

 cardiac depression. See "Berberis." 



CANADINE is similar to berberine, but is more toxic; 

 it is found in very small quantities in hydrastis. 



Hydrastine is official and is given in an average 

 dose of 1-6 grain. Hydrastinine hydrochloride (not 

 hydrochlorate, as in the earlier edition) is also official 

 and is. given in an average dose of }/% grain. 



Hydrastine hydrochloride (official U. S. P. IX) 

 is a white powder given in doses of 1-6 to 1-3 grain. 

 Do not conflict it with the official hydrastinine 

 hydrochloride, a yellow crystalline powder. There 



