PlLOCARPUS. .217 



of Pilocarpus pennatifolius. Jaborandi. Imported 

 from Brazil, 



Characters. Leaves dull green, large, pinnate, with 3 to 

 5 pairs of leaflets and a terminal one. Leaflets coriaceous, 

 4 to 6 inches long, oblong, lanceolate, emarginate, smooth or 

 only slightly tomentose, and full of pellucid dots. 



Impurities. Leaves of species of piper ; not pinnate. 



Composition. Jaborandi contains mlocarvin. a liquid colour- 

 less alkaloid, to which its chief effects are due. It is said to 

 contain a second (isomeric) alkaloid, jaborin, closely resembling 

 atropia in its action, and therefore antagonistic to pilocarpin. 



Dose. 5 to 60 gr. 



Non-officinal Preparations. 



Extract. Dose, 2 to 1 10 gr. Fluid Extract. 1 in 1 ; Dose, 10 

 to 60 min. Infusion. 1 in 20; Dose. 1 to 2 fl.oz. And Tincture f 1 

 in 2 ; Dose, 5 to 20 min. Also Hydrochlorate and Nitrate of 

 Pilocarpin ; Dose of either, ^ to ^ gr. by the mouth, ^ to J 

 gr. hypodermically. The last is most used. 



ACTION AND USES. 

 1. IMMEDIATE LOCAL ACTION AND USES. 



Externally. Jaborandi applied to the conjunctiva causes 

 contraction of the pupil, tension of the apparatus of accommo- 

 dation and disturbance of vision. The effect commences in 

 ten minutes, and lasts from 1^ to 24 hours before finally disap- 

 pearing. It is used in some cases of inflammation of the eye, 

 such as iritis ; in certain forms of blindness ; and in paralysis of 

 the muscles. (See Physostigma, page 230.) 



Internally, in full doses, it is liable to cause nausea and 

 vomiting. 



2. ACTION ON THE BLOOD. 



Pilocarpin enters the blood rapidly and passes thence into 

 the tissues. 



3. SPECIFIC ACTION AND USES. 



The striking effects of Jaborandi consist in profuse salivation, 

 perspiration, disturbances of vision, and circulatory depression, 

 which last for hours, and leave a sense of drowsiness and de- 

 bility behind them. Salivation is due to stimulation of the 

 terminal ends of the chorda tympani in the glands, as well as 

 of its centre. The flow commences in about five minutes after 

 a moderate dose, and lasts several hours. It increases with 

 the dose. It is completely prevented or arrested by atropia. 



