HYOSCYAMUS 181 



the arterial walls and produce great improvement. A large dose 

 of atropine hypodermically is the best remedy for edema of the 

 lungs or threatened edema. 



10. As a preliminary to general anesthesia. In this case it is of 

 service to check excessive secretions in the mouth and respiratory 

 passages, to stimulate the respiratory center, and in chloroform 

 anesthesia, to prevent the excessive reflex vagus stimulation at the 

 onset of anesthesia. 



11. To stimulate the respiration in general anesthesia, in pneu- 

 monia and collapse from narcotic drugs and to prevent respiratory 

 depression, as when given with morphine. It is one of the best, if not 

 the best respiratory stimulant we have.- 



12. To check excessive vagus action, as in the excessive inhibition 

 stage of chloroform anesthesia and in vagus brachycardia or irregu- 

 larity of the heart from disease or from a drug which strongly 

 stimulates the vagus, as digitalis, arecoline, eserine, etc. 



13. In anaphylaxis. Auer (1910) in experiments upon guinea 

 pigs sensitized with horse serum, reported that without atropine 75 

 per cent, died, and with atropine only 28 per cent. died. Hare says 

 that a hypodermic dose of atropine is the best agent we have to relieve 

 the symptoms of anaphylaxis after the use of antitoxin. 



HYOSCYAMUS 



Synonym. Henbane 



Farts Used. The dried leaves and flowering tops of Hyoscyamus 

 niger, a plant growing in Europe, Asia and North America. These 

 parts are collected from the plants of the second year's growth and 

 should yield when assayed not less than 0.08 per cent, of mydriatic 

 alkaloids. 



Constituents. The active principles of hyoscyamus are two alka- 

 loids, "hyoscy amine, almost identical with atropine, and hyoscine, a 

 distinct hypnotic. 



Official Preparations and Doses. 



Tinctura Hyoscyami. H. gj — iij ; 30 — 90. D. 5ss — iij ; 



2.— 12. 

 Fluidextractum Hyoscyami or Hyoscyamus. H. 5ij — viij ; 



8.-32. D. TTl V— xx; 0.3—1.3. 

 Hyoscyamine or its salts. H. gr. % — %. D. gr. Vio — /4o. 

 Hyoscine or its salts. H. gr. Ve—Vi; 0.001—0.015. D. gr. 



Viso— Vso ; 0.0004—0.0012. 



Action. The actions in general are the same as those of bella- 

 donna, but hyoscyamus is a more powerful depressant. ^ Hyoscyamine 

 resembles atropine in its action, and paralyzes the identical struc- 

 tures paralyzed by it, but, according to Cushny, the action is about 



