firH POISONOUS PLANTS OF BOiMBAf. 3*? 



Nerve-terminal-ends. Note that Ringer observes thus :— " A large 

 dose of Atropine will sometimes induce dryness of the Schneiderian 

 membrane. This does not necessarily mean loss of the sense of smell." 

 It must be observed here, that the foregoing observations are mainly 

 intended for suoh of my readers as have a fair knowledge of Human 

 Anatomy and Physiology. 



Murrell observes that of all the tropine alkaloids. Atropine is the 

 slowest in inducing its effect on the eye, but it lasts a long time, even 

 many days. Homatropine induces its eftects rapidly, but they dis- 

 appear in a few hours. Hyoscyamine, in this respect, occupies an 

 intermediate position. 



This leads us on to consider the special actions of Hyoscyamine, 

 which is one of the alkaloids found in Daiura plants. 



II. Hyoscyamine or Hyoscyamia is found in several Datura plants. 

 Murrell says " it is ismomeric with Atropine and Hyoscine. It is 

 identical ^v^th Duboisine, and mixed with Atropine constitutes what is 

 known as Daturine. It may be split into tropine and tropic acid." 

 When pure it is in snow-white minute crystals, soluble both in spirit 

 and water. A substance is sold under the name of Amorphous hyoscya- 

 mine, which is a mixture of Hyoscyamine and Hyoscine. It is a dark 

 brown substance looking like an extract, and has a strong disagreeable 

 odour. 



The following observations are curtailed from Murrell, as regards 

 the active principle Hyoscyamine. Hyoscyamine dilates the pupils 

 {but moderately, AT. II. A') ; dries the mouth, and arrests secretions ; 

 flushes the face and produces a rash on the skin. It gives rise to a 

 drunken gait, and excites delirium and hallucinations, but more 

 frequently acts as a narcotic, inducing comatose sleep — the very sleep 

 of death. As a rule, says Murrell, the raging delirium is not present, 

 but there is a desire for rest and sleep, probably due to the Hyoscine 

 it contains. As noted above, it is a less powerful mydriatic than 

 atropine — midway between atropine and homatropine. Schmiedeberg 

 quotes the following remark from V. SchroiT : — ''Hyoscyamine acts 

 on the brain somewhat differently from Atro])ine. In men, after the 

 administration of the Amorphous modification, the raging delirium is 

 as a rule not present, but even after small doses a hankering after rest 

 and sleep predominates." 



