STRYCHNINE 297 



Dose. — H. & C, gr.vii-xv, (.5-1); Sh., gr.liss-v, (.15-.8) ; Sw., gr.i-ii, (.06- 

 .12) ; D., gr.^-Vi, (.008-.016). 



Fluidextractum Nucis Vomicw. " Fluidextract of Nux Vomica. (U. S. P.) 



M.ade by maceration and percolation with alcohol and water. The alcohol is 

 distilled off. Alcohol and water are added to residue, so that the fluidextract 

 shall contain 2.5 per cent, of alkaloids of nux vomica. 



Dose.— H. & C, 3i-ii, (4-8); Sh., 1Tl,xx-xxx, (1.8-2); Sw., TTlx-xx, (.6-1.3); 

 D., nii-ii, (.06-.18). 



Tinctura Nucii Vomicw. Tincture of Nux Vomica. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Made by maceration and percolation of nux vomica, in alcohol, and water, 

 and menstruum added so as to contain 0.25 per- cent, of the alkaloids of nux 

 vomica. 



Dose.—D., TTl,v-x, (.3-.6). 



Steychnixa. Strychnine. C^ H^ O2 Nj. (U. S. & B. P.) 



An alkaloid obtained from nux vomica, and also obtainable from other plants 

 of the Loganiaceae. 



Derivation. — Nux vomica seeds are powdered and strychnine is extracted with 

 water acidulated with hydrochloric acid. The splution is concentrated and strych- 

 nine precipitated with lime. It is then redissolved in boiling alcohol and the 

 crystals are deposited upon concentration of the solution. 



Properties. — Colorless, transparent, prismatic crystals, or a white crystalline 

 powder; odorless, and having an intensely bitter taste, perceptible even in solu- 

 tions of 1 in 700,000. Strychnine should be tasted with extreme caption. Perma- 

 nent in the air. Soluble in 6420 parts of water, 136 parts of alcohol, 5 parts of 

 chloroform, 180 parts of benzin. A solution of about 0.1 Gm. of strychnine in 2 

 mils of HjS O4 is not more than j^ale yellow (readily carbonizable organic im- 

 purities), but on adding a fragment of potassium dichromate, a deep blue color 

 is momentarily produced, changing to deep violet, then to purplish-red, cherry- 

 red, and finally to orange or yellow. 



Dose. — Same as strychnine sulphate or nitrate (minimum quantities), which 

 are preTerable on account of their greater solubility. 



Steychnix^ Sulphas. Strychnine Sulphate. 

 (C„H.j O2NO2 H2SO.-I-5 H2O. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Derivation. — Made by the action of sulphuric acid on strychnine. 



Properties. — Colorless, or white, prismatic crystals, or as a white crystalline 

 powder; odorless, and having an intensely bitter taste, perceptible in highly 

 dilute (1 in 700,000) solution. Great caution must be used in tasting it and then 

 only in very dilute solutions. Efflorescent in dry air. Soluble in 82 parts of 

 water and in 81 parts of alcohol, and in 220 parts of chloroform. In other re- 

 spects strychnine sulphate responds to tests for strychnine. 



Dose.—H. & C, gr.%-i, (.015-.06) ; Sh., gr. ^-%, (.004-.015) ; D., gr. 

 1/200-1/40, (.0008-.0015). The larger doses are to be used when strychnine is 

 given orally. 



Strychnines Nitras. — Strychnine nitrate, occurring in colorless, odorless, 

 glistening needles, or as a white, crystalline powder, is now official. Has ver} 

 bitter taste; soluble in 42 parts of water. 



Dose. — Same as strychnine sulphate. 



Strychnines Hydrochloridum. (B. P.) 



Dose. — Same as strychnine sulphate. 



The dose of strychnine should be proportioned to the weight in the 

 case of all animals, but more particularly dogs. Otherwise, convulsive 

 attacks or a fatal result may occur. The dose can be accurately deter- 

 mined by the following data: 



Dose per kilo (2.2 lbs. avoirdupois) live weight: 



Horse, sheep and cattle 0001-.0002 (gr.1/600-1/300) 



Swine 0002-.0008 (gr.1/300-1/200) 



Dogs 0001 (gr.1/600) 



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