Botanic Remedies 199 



IPECAC. This latter is, more properly, a species of 

 Psychotria. 



PHARMACOLOGY. Ipecac contains emetine (6%% 

 of the total alkaloidal content), cephaeline (nearly 

 % of the total alkaloidal content), and psychotrine 

 (a trace). Ipecac is an irritant to mucous mem- 

 branes and is a prompt emetic, in smaller doses 

 than those producing emesis increasing tracheal 

 and bronchial secretion. The flow of saliva and 

 sweat is stimulated. Parenteral administration of 

 the alkaloids produce emesis, probably not by direct 

 action on the vomiting center in the medulla, and 

 this action is slower when taken by mouth. In this 

 ipecac differs from apomorphine. This has a prac- 

 tical importance since it allows adequate doses of 

 emetine to be administered hypodermatically in 

 ameboid dysentery, etc., without producing the nausea 

 and vomiting the same doses would induce if admin- 

 istered by mouth. 



Given by mouth in emetic doses, salivation, per- 

 spiration, and depression are followed by emesis, 

 and but little systemic effect. A toxic dose injected 

 hypodermatically will, after an interval, induce the 

 same symptoms; but purgation also follows, the 

 heart weakens progressively, the mucous discharges 

 become tinged with blood, and the individual goes 

 into a state of collapse. 



Cephaeline acts much as does emetine, but is many 

 times more toxic. Psychotrine, on the other hand, 

 is much less toxic than emetine. The whole drug, 

 or cephaeline, should be used for the emetic prop- 

 erties, emetine being reserved for the amebicidal 

 properties it possesses in so marked a degree. 



EMETINE HYDROCHLORIDE acts similarly to ipecac, 



