NUX VOMICA — STRYCHNINE 129 



STIMULANTS TO THE SPINAL CORD — EXCITOMOTORS 



These drugs increase the functional activity of the spinal cord, 

 exaggerate reflex activity and in large doses produce tetanic convul- 

 sions by stimulating the cell bodies of the lower motor neurons. 

 Whether the convulsions are of spinal or cerebral origin can be proven 

 by division of the cord between the atlas and occiput. Those of cere- 

 bral origin cease after such a division, while those of spinal origin 

 do not. The most important members of the group are : 



Strychnine Caffeine 



Brticine Ammonium salts 



Hydrastis Phenol 



Of these only the first two are of importance from their thera- 

 peutic effect. 



NUX VOMICA, NUX VOMICA 



Synonyms. Dog Button, Quaker Button, Poison Nut 



Parts Used. The dried ripe seeds of Strychnos nux vomica, a 

 small tree of the East Indies and yielding when assayed not less than 

 2.5 per cent of the alkaloids of nux vomica. 



Constituents. It contains two alkaloids, Strychnine (strych- 

 nina) and Brucine (brucina). The former is in excess, is the 

 principal one and represents quite accurately the action of the crude 

 drug. 



Preparations and Doses. All are assayed. 



Fluidextractum Nucis Vomicae. 2.5 per cent, of alkaloids. 



H, 3ss— ij ; 2—8. D. ITL ss— ij ; .033— .13. 

 Nucis Vomicce. Same as fluidextract. 

 Extractum Nucis Vomicce. 16 per cent, of alkaloids of 



nux vomica. H. grs. vij — xv; 0.5 — 1. D. grs. % — %; 



.008— .016. 

 Tinctura Nucis Vomica. 0.1 per cent, of strychnine. 2.5 



per cent, of alkaloids. H. 3v— ijss; 1.25-75. D. in. 



V — XX ; .032 — 1.3. 



Strychnine is official as strychnine (strychnina) and the follow- 

 ing salts : Nitrate soluble in 42 parts of water and in 150 of alcohol, 

 and the sulphate soluble in 32 parts of water and 81 of alcohol. The 

 sulphate contains 11 per cent, of pure strychnine and the nitrate 84 

 per cent. 



Dose of Strychnine and its salts. Horse and Cow. gr. Vi — • 

 ij; .016—0.13. Dogs. %oo— %o; 0.00032—0.0016. 

 Cats. %oo— yes; 0.00032—0.001. 



