388 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



Made by maceration and percolation witti water, and evaporation, so that I 

 mil=l Gm. of the crude drug. 



Dose.—H. & C, gi-ii, (30-60) ; D., TTLx-3i, (.6-4). 



A tinctura Valerianae (1-5), and a tinctura valerians ammoniata (1-5) pre- 

 pared with aromatic spirit of ammonia, are also official. The dose of either is 

 5ss-ii, (2-8), for dogs. 



Tinctura ValerianCB Ammoniata. (B. P.) 



Dose.—D., 3ss-i, (2-4). 



Ammonii Valeras. Ammonium Valerate. NHjCjHoOs. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Ammonium valerianate. 



Made by the action of ammonia gas upon valerianic acid, and crystallization. 



Properties. — Colorless, or white, quadrangular plates, emitting the odor of 

 valeric acid, of a sharp and sweetish taste, and deliquescent in moist air. 



Very soluble in water and in alcohol; also soluble in ether. 



Dose.—D., gr.ii-v, (.12-.3). 



Ferri Valeras. Ferric Valerate. (>J'on-official.) 



Made by precipitating a solution of ferric sulphate with a solution of sodium 

 valerianate, and washing and drying the precipitate. 



Properties. — A dark, brick-red, amorphous powder of somewhat varying 

 chemical composition; having the odor of valerianic acid and a mildly styptic 

 taste; permanent in dry air. Insoluble in cold water, but readily soluble in 

 alcohol. 



Dose. — D., gr.i-iii, (.06-.18). 



ZiNci Valeras. Zinc Valerate. Zn(CjH„02)2-)-2 H^O. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Zinc valerianate. 



Made by crystallization from a mixture of hot solutions of zinc sulphate and 

 sodium valerate. 



Properties. — White, pearly scales, or as a white powder, having the odor of 

 valeric acid, and a sweetish, astringent and metallic taste. On exposure to the 

 air it slowly loses valeric acid and becomes partially insoluble in water. Soluble 

 in 70 ^arts of water, and in 22 parts of alcohol. 



Incompatibility. — Incompatible with acids, metallic salts and soluble carbo- 

 nates; also vegetable astringents. 



Dose.—D., gr.l-iii, (.06-.18). 



Administration. — Valerian should be given in the form of the fluidextract to 

 horses, and this preparation or the tinctures may be exhibited to dogs in dilution. 

 Valeric acid is not used in medicine except to make valerianates. Of the salts, 

 the zinc valerate is the most popular, and is administered in pills in canine 

 practice. 



Action and Uses of Valerian and Valerates. 

 The physiological action of valeric acid and the valerates is an un- 

 known quantity, but clinical evidence supports their value. The volatile 

 oil in Valerian has much the same properties as other volatile oils in stim- 

 ulating secretion, motion, vascularity and appetite, in relation to the 

 digestive organs; and, in its elimination, the oil excites the mucous mem- 

 branes of the bronchial tubes and genito-urinary tract. The oil also 

 stimulates the circulation reflexly. Toxic doses of the oil paralyze the 

 brain and cord and depress the circulation; while lethal quantities of 

 ammonium valerate are said to first excite the spinal motor tract and 

 cause convulsions, and to finally occasion spinal depression and paralysis. 

 Valerian and the valerates are called antispasmodics in stimulating and 

 strengthening an enfeebled nervous system and thus combating disorders 

 which are created by an increased susceptibility to impulses originating 

 within the brain, or outside of the body. Valerian is both recommended 

 and used in the treatment of polyuria and diabetes insipidus of the horse ; 

 in chorea of dogs resulting from distemper, and occasionally in hysteria, 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



