Botanic Remedies 317 



phanthin. The pharmacologic action, qualitatively 

 considered, is the same with all of these products; 

 but crystallized ouabain is more active than the 

 official strophanthin when injected subcutaneously 

 or intravenously. Strophanthin has no cumulative 

 action. 



MacKenzie noted that fever interferes with the 

 action of digitalis. Gum, after detailed study, 

 determined that this is not true of strophanthin 

 when administered intravenously; that elevation 

 of temperature seemed to make the drug action 

 more rapid, and that the reason for MacKenzie's 

 observation is that the heart, in febrile diseases, is 

 in a refractory state from the presence of toxins. 



Clark (The Jour, of Phar. and Ex. Ther., Jan., 

 1914) reported that the systolic action of stro- 

 phanthin is opposed by the presence of acid, by the 

 absence of calcium, and by the hypodynamic con- 

 dition. 



Crystallized strophanthin ouabain is absorbed 

 so slowly and irregularly that the oral adminis- 

 tration of the drug is considered unsafe. 



Bailey (The Jour, of Phar. and Ex. Ther., Oct., 

 1909) presented a paper that has guided us ever 

 since in the use of ouabain. For intravenous or 

 intramuscular administration we use 1-130 grain 

 (0.0005 Gm.) dissolved in 4,000 to 8,000 parts of 

 0.85 per cent, of sodium chloride, and this dose 

 must be given not more than once in twenty-four 

 hours. Ampules of ouabain are prepared of this 

 strength and ready for use. 



Bailey highly recommends the intravenous dosage 

 as a quick and certain heart stimulant, using the 

 solution twice as dilute in intravenous adminis- 



