S8 JOURi^AL, BOMBAt NATURAL BiSTOny SOCIETY, Vol. XlV. 



III. Hyoscine. — This is the second alkaloid found in Hyoscyamiis. 

 It is also found in Datura. It is a syrupy liquid alkaloid. It is 

 largely found in the substance spoken of above as amorphous 

 hyoscyamine. In man Hyosoine produces dryness of the mouth, 

 flushing of the face, and deep sleep, associated with semi-delirious 

 muttering and giddiness. Mydriasis is usually, though not always, 

 pronounced. The respiration is slow and full, and is sometimes of the 

 character known as " Cheyne-Stokes." The skin, so far from being 

 abnormally dry, is often bathed in perspiration. It is asserted that 

 there is a rise in temperature. There is sometimes paralysis of the 

 pharynx, and of the muscles of the larynx. The mydriatic effect is 

 associated with paralysis of accommodation and the maximum effect 

 is produced in a third of the time required by atropine. Its influence 

 in producing sleep is very marked. Nausea, constipation, and other 

 disturbances of the stomach and alimentary canal are rarely witnessed. 

 These remarks are based by Murrell on the authority of H. C. Wood 

 of Philadelphia. 



Just a word about Duboisine referred to in my foregoing obser- 

 vations. It is an alkaloid contained in Duboisia myaporoides, a tall 

 shrub growing plentifully in the forest lands of Eastern Australia. It 

 contains an alkaloid known as Duboisine identical with Hyoscyamine. 

 The general action of Duboisine, says Murrell, is the same as that of 

 Atropine. The former is so powerful, says Ringer,* that a 1 in 120 

 solution specially appli*»d to the eyes often excites great giddiness, 

 weakness, and a drunken gait. 



IV. Daturine. — Lauder Brunton says that this alkaloid is a mixture 

 of atropine and hyoscyamine.f He does not mention Hyoscine as a 

 component of the Daturine — an " impure alkaloid " as he calls it. 

 Fifteen years ago, Hyoscine was not determined. Ringer does not 

 mention it in his Therapeutical work just referred to, Murrell even 

 does not mention Hyoscine as a component of Daturine. In speaking 

 of Daturine he only says " it is not a simple body," but a mixture of 

 Atropine and Hyoscyamine. *' The physiological action of Datura is 

 identical with that of Belladonna, whilst Daturine has the same 



* A Hand Book of Therapeutics, p. 539, 8th Ed., London, 1880. 



t A Text Book of Pharmacolopy, Therapeutics, <fec,,p. (109, 2nd Ed., London, 1S85, 



