ORGANIC POISONS AND DRUGS 107 



Gautheriana in Tonquin. In the Strychnos toxifera of 

 Guiana strychnine is associated with brucine and curarine. 



The mix vomica seed, incorrectly often called the ' nux 

 vomica ' or ' strychnine bean,' forms to the number of 

 fourteen or fifteen the seeds of the fruit, resembling an 

 orange in size, and having a harmless pulp. The seeds, 

 have an average weight of 23 grains, and are about the size 

 of a shilling. They have a concavo-convex shape, with a 

 well-defined umbilical centre, are covered with soft velvety 

 hairs, and are brownish-grey in colour. The taste is acrid 

 and intensely bitter. The beans are rarely the cause of 

 poisoning, but it is stated that they have been known to be 

 accidentally incorporated into oil cakes. The powdered 

 bean forms the nux vomica whence is also derived the 

 extract and tincture of the pharmacy. 



The content of strychnine in the bean varies between 

 0'5 and 2 per cent. Brucine is present in larger proportion, 

 and both it and igasurine show the same action as stimu- 

 lants to the motor nerve centres, but are considerably less 

 active. Strychnine, or nux vomica, is frequently en- 

 countered outside the pharmacy. Vermin powders very 

 commonly consist of mixtures of strychnine with starch or 

 flour and blue, or soot, and such powders are the com- 

 monest causes of poisoning amongst dogs, cats, and foxes. 

 Strychnine preparations have also been used to protect 

 stacks from vermin. The free and general sale and use of 

 strychnine rat powders leads to so many cases of poisoning 

 of the smaller animals that strychnine occupies the first 

 place, numerically, among the poisons. Cases of poisoning 

 of the large animals by strychnine are, however, rare. Since 

 its discovery in 1818 strychnine has also acquired an evil 

 repute as an agent of malicious poisoning in the human 

 subject. 



Absopption and Elimination.— Strychnine is absorbed, 

 without local effect, slowly from the intact skin, giving rise 

 to general symptoms. Absorption is rapid by way of the 

 mucous surfaces, or on injection. From the stomach 

 strychnine is easily absorbed at a rate depending on the 



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