200 DEPRESSANTS TO PERIPHERAL NERVES 



Preparations and Doses. 



Fluidextradum Lobelice. H. 3j — ^viij ; 4. — 30. D. TTt ss — 



XX ; 0.03—1.3. 

 Tinctura Lobelice. H. gj — ij ; 30. — 60. D. TT, iij — xxx; 



0.2—1.3. 



Action and Uses. Lobelia resembles nicotine and coniine 

 in action, and causes death by respiratory paralysis. Lobelia is a 

 strong gastric irritant and consequently is emetic. It depresses the 

 peripheral vagus, like coniine, and relaxes the bronchioles. On ac- 

 count of its nauseant action it is an expectorant. Lobelia may be 

 useful in asthma of dogs and heaves , of horses and is frequently 

 combined vi^ith belladonna in these cases. Some recommend 10 or 15 

 drops of the tincture every few minutes until vomition occurs in 

 asthma of dogs. It acts in the above conditions probably by dilating 

 the bronchioles. Lobelia is often prescribed as a sedative expector- 

 ant. The alkaloid lobeline has been recommended in the treatment 

 of tetanus, but the results from its use are not encouraging. 



GELSEMIUM 



Synonym. Yellovi^ Jasmine 



Gelsemium is the roots of Gelsemium sempervirens. It contains 

 two alkaloids, gelseminine, which forms amorphous salts and upon 

 which the action of the crude drug depends, and gelsemine, which in 

 large doses increases the spinal reflexes and later paralyzes the motor 

 nerve endings. Commercial gelsemine is a mixture of both alkaloids 

 but closely resembles gelseminine in action. 



Preparations and Doses. 



Fluidextractum Gelsemii. H. 3j — ij ; 4. — 8. D. Tl\ v — x; 



0.3—0.6. 

 Tinctura Gelsemii. H. §ss — j ; 15. — 30. D. TTL xv — oj ; 



1.-4. 



Action and Uses. Gelsemium has an action similar to eonium, 

 but produces death by paralyzing the respiratory center instead of 

 the peripheral nerve endings (Dixon). 



Large doses accelerate the heart by paralysis of the vagus. When 

 applied directly to the eye, gelsemium or its alkaloids dilate the 

 pupils and paralyze the power of accommodation, much the same as 

 atropine, but they cause some pain and the action is not as complete or 

 as persistent. Gelsemium and its alkaloid gelseminine (gT. ss, every 

 half hour) have been recommended in the treatment for spinal men- 

 ingitis and tetanus, but there are probably no therapeutic indications 

 for the drug that cannot be better treated with other agents. 



