200 Botanic Drugs 



but is relatively more nauseant and less emetic, and 

 causes less renal irritation but more cardiac de- 

 pression. Overdoses may have serious effects. It 

 is expectorant in doses of 1-12 to 1-6 grain; emesis 

 is apt to be caused by doses over 1-6 grain, and the 

 drug should not be employed as an emetic. Hypo- 

 dermically % grain may be given. The drug is 

 marketed in ampules and hypodermic tablets. 



Emetine is a powerful amebicide, but is not a 

 bactericide. It is valuable in the treatment of 

 amebic dysentery, according to the technic of Leonard 

 Rogers, since improved upon. Sterile ampules con- 

 taining the drug dissolved in isotonic salt solution 

 are the most certain form in which the drug is 

 offered. 



Most cases of amebic dysentery in the United 

 States are not severe in type and readily enough 

 yield to a few doses of emetine, even in keratin- 

 coated pills, or preferably "Alcresta" ipecac tablets, 

 which, owing to the drug being incorporated with 

 hydrated aluminum silicate passes unchanged 

 through the stomach. Each tablet represents 10 

 grains of ipecac, and 2 or 3 tablets are given three 

 times a day for from 4 to 6 days, discontinuing 

 temporarily if the laxative effect becomes too pro- 

 nounced. 



In severe tropical cases the drug (emetine) may 

 be used intravenously, doses of 1 grain being given 

 in 5 cc. of normal saline. 



Children require relatively large doses. 



Emetine is not of value in bacillary dysentery, 

 and it is very questionable if it should be used in 

 an effort to restrain hemorrhage, as in typhoid 

 fever. The drug does not favor blood coagulation 



