426 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



144. (Fig. 142.) NUX VOMICA. Nux Vomica. U. S. 

 Fl. ex. 40. Tinct. 60. 



Poison-nut, Quaker buttons, E. Krahenaugen, Brechnuss, G. Noix 

 vomiques, Fr. 



The seeds of Strychnos nux vomica L., Loganiaceae. 



Light grayish brown. 



Odorless. 



Extremely and persistently bitter. 



The outer covering consists wholly of elongated, thick-walled, 

 colorless trichomes, with widened, porous base. The wall is unevenly 

 thickened, ridges extending nearly straight to long spirally from base 

 to near apex. Most of these trichomes are broken in the powdering. 

 Endosperm cells very thick- walled, colorless, filled with oil globules and 

 granular proteid matter. Beneath the trichomatic layer is a tissue of 

 flattened cells. Cell-contents turn bright brownish yellow with tinc- 

 ture of iodine. Note color changes with strong acids (mineral) and 

 alkalies. 



Ash should not exceed 2.5 per cent. 



Not generally adulterated. Ignatia beans may be substituted 

 which are similar in structure and show similar reactions with acids, 

 alkalies and with tincture of iodine. 



