ACTION OF ERGOT 441 



ends but obtuse, somewhat curved, 1.6 to 8 cm. long and about 3 mm. thick; 

 externally purplish-black, longitudinally furrowed on each side, more conspicu- 

 ously on the concave side; fracture short, pinkish or reddish-white; odor pecu- 

 liar, heavy, increased by trituration with potassium hydroxide T. S.; taste 

 disagreeable. 



Constituents. — The active principles of ergot have hitherto been considered 

 to be sphacelinic acid, sphacelotoxin, cornutine, and ergotinic acid but these were 

 not pure and the recent researches of Barger and Dale have shown the true 

 active principles to be the following alkaloids: (1) ergotinine, CjoHaoODNj, inert 

 but easily converted into its hydrate (2) ergotoxine, C35H41O0N5, which is most 

 active; (8) tyramine, OH-CoH.-CHjCHjNHj, resembling adrenalin in chemistry 

 and therapeutics; (4) histamine or ergamine which, intravenously, causes great 

 faU of blood pressure from peripheral action, and also contracts the uterus; and 

 (5) isoamylamine (CH3)jCHCH2CH2NH2; (6) an inert oil; (7) saponin bodies. 

 The two latter cause suspension of the active principles in alcohol and water. 



Dose.— H. & C, Sss-i, (15-30) ; Sh. & Sw., 3i-ii, (4-8) ; D., 3ss-i, (2-4). 



PBEPARATIONS. 



Fluidextractum Ergotce. Fluidextract of Ergot. (U. S. P.) 

 Made by maceration and percolation with diluted alcohol and acetic acid, and 

 evaporation, so that 1 mil=;l Gm. of ergot. 



Dose.—H. & C, Sss-i, (15-30) ; Sh..& Sw., 3i-ii, (4-8) ; D., 3ss-l, (2-4). 



Extractum Ergotw. Extract of Ergot. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Synonym. — Ergotin. 



Made by evaporation of the fluidextract to a pilular consistence. 

 Dose.—B.. & C, gr.xx-3i, (1.3-4); D., gr.ii-x, (.12-6). (By mouth or sub- 

 cutaneously.) 



Extractum Ergotw Liquidum. (B. P.) 

 (Si ergot^gi of preparation.) 

 Dose. — Same as fluidextract. 



Tinctura Ergotw Ammoniata. (B. P.) 



(109 gr. to §i.) 



Dose.—H. & C, Sss-ii, (15-60) ; Sh. & Sw., 3i-iv, (4-15) ; D., 3ss-ii, (2-8). 



Injectio Ergotini Hypodermica. (B. P.) (33 per cent.) 

 Dose.—H., 3%-li^, (3-6); D., Tn.iii-x, (.2-.6). 

 Ergotoxine Phosphate. — D., gr.1/50. 



Tyramine. — D., gr.%, (0.03), given subcutaneously in shock for raising blood 

 pressure. 



Ergot deteriorates with age. Both it and its preparations should be 

 fresh. 



As the essential action of ergot on the circulation is to cause con- 

 traction of the blood vessels until, in poisonings it finally occludes them, 

 the test for active ergot is the production of gangrene of a cock's comb. 



The standard is the development of a purple hue in the comb of a 

 rooster from the injection of 0.75 mil of fluidextract per kilo; or 1.87 

 mg. of ergotoxine. Wood states that the fluidextract loses 10% in 

 strength a month, but Haskell and Eckler found these preparations up 

 to the standard until over two years old. 



Action Internal. — Digestive Organs. — Ergot (tyramine) stimulates 

 the splanchic inhibitory fibres supplying the stomach and intestines so 

 that the motion and tone of these are somewhat inhibited, while vomit- 

 ing and purging follows toxic doses of ergot, due to paralysis of these 

 same nerves. 



Circulation. — Ergot is absorbed into the blood, but does not influence 

 that fluid. The essential action of ergot is caused by its two alkaloids, 

 ergotoxine and tyramine. Its effect on the circulation resembles that of 



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