278 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



morphine, but paralyzed by toxic doses, so that vomiting may not occur 

 in poisoning. Apomorphine does not act locally upon the stomach. 



Uses. — Apomorphine is a reliable, prompt and powerful emetic. 

 The alkaloid is generally given under the skin and can be administered 

 along with zinc sulphate or other emetic in poisoning. In narcotic poison- 

 ing, as with chloral or opium, apomorphine — like other emetics — may fail 

 to act efficiently. In the iirst stage of acute bronchitis, apomorphine is 

 useful in canine practice, and again in the later stage, when the animal 

 becomes choked with exudation. The drug, in a, mild emetic dose, will 

 aid recovery by causing violent expiratory efforts during vomition, and 

 these tend to expel secretions, which is furthermore assisted by the action 

 of the alkaloid in rendering the secretions less viscid. Chronic dry 

 bronchitis of dogs is likewise benefited by apomorphine. In pica in 

 cattle, ly^, gr. may be given on three consecutive days or in recent cases, 

 gr. iii. are given subcutaneously in the same way. 



In pica in foals, sheep and calves the drug is equally effective in 

 smaller doses. Even in parrots and other birds gr. ll^, in water by the 

 mouth may cure the habit of plucking out the plumage. 



Injectionis apomorphinse hypodermicas (B. P.), Sii. 

 Slg. Give once daily subcutaneously to cattle, 3iii; foals 

 or sheep, 5i; with licking disease. 



Apomorphine must be used with some caution in foals and horses 

 since F. Smith has reported an alarming condition in the horse produced 

 by the giving of two grains under the skin attended with delirium, great 

 restlessness, constant movement of the limbs, excitement and sweating. 



Apomorphine hydrochloride often relieves choking by grain, etc., in 

 animals by its relaxing spasm, producing retching and increasing secre- 

 tion of the gullet. One grain may be injected under the skin in horses. 

 It should be tried before using a probang, as, if successful, it will act 

 within fifteen or twenty minutes. 



The alkaloid decomposes in crystal, and rapidly in solution, becom- 

 ing toxic and of a green hue. Solutions should be freshly prepared. 

 The addition of hydrochloric acid to solutions preserves them as in 

 B. P. hypodermic solution. 



Class 2. — Stimulating the Brain 



Belladonn^e Folia. Belladonna Leaves. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Deadly nightshade, E.; feuilles de belladone, Fr.; tollkraut, toU- 

 kirschen blatter, wolfkirschen-blatter, G. 



Derivation. — The dried leaves and tops of Atropa belladonna LinnS (Fam- 

 Solanaceae), and yielding not less than 0.3 per cent, of the total alkaloids of 

 belladonna leaves. Usually much twisted and matted together; leaves much 

 crumpled; when soaked in water and spread out, leaves 6 to 20 cm. long, 4, to 12 

 cm. broad. Odor distinct, especially on moistening; taste somewhat bitter and 

 acrid. The powder is dark green. 



Constituents. — Two alkaloids; 1, atropine, the chief one, representing the 

 action of belladonna; and, 2, hyoscyamine. 



Atropine is now considered to be an artificial product of hyoscyamine, and 

 therefore the latter to be the natural alkaloid. 



Dose.—H. & C, Sss-i, (15-30); D., gr.l-v, (.06-.8). 



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