130 STIMULANTS TO CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM 



Preparations of Strychnine. 



■^ Citrate of iron and strychnine^, i per cent. Dose. J), gr. ss — ij. 



^ Elixir of the phosphates of iron, quinine and strychnine. 1 dr. 

 (4 mils) =^ %5 grain (0.001 gm.) strychnine and Kb grain quinine. 



^ Syrup of the phosphates of iron, quinine and strychnine. 1 dr. 

 (4 mils) = %o gr. (0.0008 gm.) strychnine and 1% grains quinine. 



^ Glycerite of the phosphates of iron, quinine and strychnine. 

 This is four times the strength of the syrup, for the preparation of 

 which it is used. 



^ Compound syrup of the hypophosphites, 2 drams (8 mils) con- 

 tains Yio grain (0.001 gm.) of strychnine and %5 grain of quinine. 



^ Compound laxative pills, aloin Ys gr., extract belladonna Ya 

 grain, ipecac Yfs grain, strychnine (the alkaloid) Y120 grain (0.0005 

 gm.). 



External and Local Action. Strychnine is an antiseptic in 

 strong solution but is too dangerous to use. 



Digestive System. Strychnine or nux vomica is an excellent 

 stomachic tonic, improving the appetite and aiding digestion. 

 Strychnine reflexly stimulates the flovsr of saliva and gastric juice by 

 acting as a bitter. It increases peristalsis by imparting tone to the 

 muscles of the intestines by action through the cord and consequently 

 relieves constipation due to lack of tone. For the action upon diges- 

 tion some preparation of the crude drug should be used, partly be- 

 cause it is not absorbed so rapidly and partly because it may contain 

 other valuable bitter ^principles. It is usually combined with mild 

 purgatives for its action on peristalsis. 



Nervous System. 



1. Gerehrum. There is a slight stimulation of the intellect and 

 of the motor areas, but strychnine is not a pronounced intellectual 

 stimulant. The special senses are all stimulated. Consciousness is 

 retained until asphyxia coma sets in. 



2. Spinal cord. The first symptom of the use of the drug is an 

 increase in the spinal reflexes. Even slight stimulation under the 

 influence of strychnine is sufiicient to throw the whole body into a 

 clonic convulsion which is characterized by sudden contractions of 

 all striped muscles of the body, lasting for a few seconds or minutes 

 and followed by complete relaxation, with all signs of paralysis. 

 After a brief interval, the spasms are repeated and again followed 

 by paralysis. They may be started by any external stimuli, such 

 as touching the animal, clapping hands, talking, etc. That the con- 

 vulsions are of spinal origin can be demonstrated by the elimination 

 of other factors which might cause convulsions. The cord has no 

 power, under the influence of strychnine, to originate new impulses 

 but intensifies the ordinary impulses by facilitating their passage 

 through the sensory paths, so that slight stimulation leads to exagger- 



1 Unofficial. 



