172 SEEDS 



consist of galactan and mannan, the former preponderating ; it yields 

 by hydrolysis galactose and inannose. 



The seeds contain, further, about 3 per cent, of a viscous oil which 

 appears to reside chiefly in the hairs. A trace of copper is also in- 

 variably present, and passes into solution when the seeds are exhausted 

 with alcohol, giving rise to the green reaction often observed when 

 the diluted tincture is mixed with ammonia. 



The proportion of total alkaloid varies from 1*84 to 5'3 per cent., 

 averaging in seeds of good quality about 2'8 per cent. This total 

 alkaloid contains a variable proportion, ranging from 35 to 50 per cent, 

 of strychnine, the average amount of strychnine in the drug being 

 1 -23 per cent., and of brucine 1 -55 per cent. As the toxicity of brucine 

 is only one-eighth that of strychnine, the drug and its preparations 

 are assayed for strychnine and not for the total alkaloid present. 



Strychnine, C 21 H 22 N 2 O 2 , crystallises in colourless, odourless prisms melting 

 at 265j, and having an intensely bitter taste, though very slightly soluble in 

 water (1 in 7000). The hydrochloride crystallises in needles which are soluble 

 in water, but less soluble in water acidified with hydrochloric acid. 



Brucine, C 23 H 26 N 2 O 4 ,4H 2 0, is also crystalline and more soluble in water than 

 strychnine (1 in 320) ; melting-point 178 ; is probably dimethoxystrychnine. 



Caffeotannic acid (chlorogenic acid) is also found in the leaves and seeds of 

 Caffea ardbica, Linne, and in other plants ; exposed to the air in the presence 

 of ammonia it turns green (viridic acid). 



Action and Uses. Nux vomica is largely used as a bitter stomachic 

 and tonic, its action being practically identical with (although slower 

 than) that of the alkaloid strychnine. It stimulates the muscular coat 

 of the intestine, increasing peristalsis, and hence is given in constipation 

 from an atonic condition of the intestine. It increases the blood 

 pressure, and is therefore valuable in certain cases of cardiac failure. 

 In large doses the excitability of the motor nerve cells is so much 

 increased that violent convulsions may occur ; these involve the 

 respiratory muscles, and death ensues from asphyxiation. 



Note. The seeds of Strychnos potatorum, Linne, and of S. Nux-llanda, Hill, 

 have been offered as nux vomica. The former are smaller, thicker and free 

 from bitterness ; they are used in India for clearing turbid water. The latter 

 closely resemble nux vomica, but may be distinguished by the small ridge on 

 the edge ; they are also free from bitterness (and consequently from strychnine 

 and brucine). 



IGNATIUS BEANS 



(Semina Ignatii) 



Source, &C. Ignatius beans are the seeds of Strychnos Ignatii, 

 Bergius (N.O. Loganiacece) , a stout climbing plant with woody stem, 

 indigenous to the southern Philippine Islands. It became known 



