396 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



Caffeine, in combination with acetanilid and other modem coal tar 

 products is used to prevent circulatory depression but the U. S. Public 

 Health Service (Hale) has shown that the toxicity of acetanilid is en- 

 hanced by caffeine. Caffeine, tea and coffee are serviceable in the treat- 

 ment of acute asthenic diseases in the horse (influenza and pneumonia), 

 dog (distemper), and in foals and calves, acting as nervous and cardiac 

 stimulants and perhaps restraining tissue waste. A cup of tea contains 

 1 to 2 grains, and a cup of coffee 1% to 3 grains, of caffeine. Caffeine 

 is chiefly valuable in emergencies demanding immediate stimulation of 

 the heart, respiration and vaso-motor centres as in belladonna, ether, 

 alcohol, chloral, opium and cocaine poisoning. 



3. The diuretic property of caffeine renders it appropriate in aiding 

 the absorption of pleuritic effusion, ascites, and dropsies, particularly of 

 cardiac and renal origin, and in the hepatic form as well. Diuretin, or 

 sodio-salicylate of theobromine, a crystallizable, bitter, volatile alkaloid, 

 is probably the most active diuretic agent at our command and particu- 

 larly useful in dropsy of cardiac or renal origin, non-irritating to the 

 kidneys, but should not be used in acute nephritis. Theobromine has a 

 similar action to caffeine, chiefly stimulating the secreting epithelium. 

 The dose is 1 dram in 24 hours for dogs. Two capsules, each containing 

 10 grs., are given 3 times daily. 



SECTION II.— DRUGS ACTING ON THE SPINAL CORD 



L 



Class I. — StimulatirLg the Inferior Cornua. 



Ntix Vomica. Nux Vomica. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Semen strychni, P. G. ; poison nut, Quaker button, E.; noix 

 vomique, Fr. ; krahen-augen, brechnuss, G. 



The dried, ripe seed of Strychnos Nux-vomica LinnS (Fam. Loganiaceae) , 

 yielding not less than 2.5 per cent, of the alkaloids of nux vomica. 



Description. — Orbicular, nearly fiat, sometimes irregularly bent, 16 to 30 mm. 

 in diameter, 4 to 5 mm. tliick; very hard when dry; externally grayish or green- 

 ish-gray; covered with appressed hairs, giving it a silky luster; inodorous; taste 

 intensely and persistently bitter. 



Constituents. — Two alkaloids. 1. Strychnine, 0.2-0.6 per cent. 2. Brucine 

 (C23H2ijN204), 0.5-1.0 per cent. ' Similar in action to strychnine, but weaker and 

 slower. Both alkaloids exist in combination with igasuric acid. Brucine occurs 

 in rectangular octohedral crystals; is soluble in alcohol, in 7 parts of chloroform, 

 and possesses a bitter taste. With sulphuric and' nitric acids a, beautiful blood- 

 red color is developed. Nux vomica contains also, igasuric acid with which strych- 

 nine and brucine are combined, and loganin, CoBHaiO,,, an inert glucoside occurring 

 in colorless prisms. 



Dose.—H. & C, 3i-ii, (4-8); Sh., gr.xx-xl, (1.3-2.6); Sw., gr.x-xx, (.6-1.3); 

 D., gr.i-ii, (.06-.12). ' ^ ' '' -" 



PREPARATIONS. 



Extractum Nucis Vomicw. Extract of Nux Vomica. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Made by maceration and percolation with diluted alcohol. Concentrate by 

 distilling off alcohol. Wash residue with benzin and water. Decant benzin and 

 agitate with dilute HjSOi; then alkalinize with ammonia water and shake with 

 chloroform. Add chloroform solution to residue and evaporate to dryness. Add 

 dried starch and magnesium oxide so that extract contains 16% of the alkaloids 

 of nux vomica. 



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