Botanic Remedies 215 



duced by completely methylating the nitrogen of 

 members of the adrenine series are also similar in 

 influence. 



The actions of the nicotine alkaloids differ only in 

 minor details. Injected into the circulation in 

 small doses, they stimulate the ganglion cells, the 

 heart action being first inhibited and then accel- 

 erated. The blood-pressure is raised through stimu- 

 lation of the vasomotor cells in the sympathetic 

 ganglia; but this pressor effect is evanescent. The 

 cardiac acceleration is due to the fact that small 

 doses of nicotine and lobeline increase the secretion 

 of adrenalin. 



In large doses the blood pressure is low, and the 

 heart-beat becomes slow and feeble, due to a direct 

 toxic action on the heart muscle and, when taken by 

 mouth, to the collapse resulting from gastrointestinal 

 irritation and emesis. 



Small doses injected excite the salivary and sweat 

 glands, as well as the mucous glands of the trachea 

 and bronchi. Lobeline, more particularly, but also 

 the other alkaloids, produce dilatation of the bronchi 

 through a sympathetic effect. Large doses, either 

 injected or by mouth., paralyze all of the structures 

 initially stimulated, with a cessation of spontaneous 

 secretion; respiration becomes slow, dyspnea and 

 asphyxia supervene, and death is from respiratory 

 failure. 



Violent vomiting is produced both by injection 

 and ingestion. When injected, this is due to stimu- 

 lation of the central nervous system, especially the 

 medullary centers; and it is followed by great de- 

 pression and prostration, with or without purgation. 

 The movements of the intestines show only a brief 



