414 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



retard the respiratory movements, and deatli occurs from 

 asphyxia, before cessation of the heart, owing to paralysis 

 of the medaUary and spinal respiratory centres. The accel- 

 eration of breathing is due to the stimulation of the pulmo- 

 nary vagal endings, and possibly to constriction 'of the 

 unstriped muscle of the bronchial tubes. 



/S'ecreiions. ^Secretion is generally increased, including 

 that of the salivary, gastric, intestinal, sudoriparous and 

 lachrymal glands. In this respecl; eserine is antagonistic to 

 atropine. 



Eye. — Physostigmine is a myotic, applied locally or 

 administered internally. Intraocular tension is diminished 

 and there is spasm of accommodation (see footnote, p. 45). 

 In all probability contraction of the pupil is brought 

 about by stimulation of the circular muscular fibres 

 of the iris or of the oculomotor nerve endings. Eserine 

 is thus directly antagonistic to atropine in its effect 

 upon the eye, but they resemble each other in that they 

 both exert a local action and do not affect the irides of birds. 

 Euormous doses of physostigmine paralyze the oculomotor 

 nerves and dilate the pupil. 



Elimination. — Eserine is rapidly absorbed and elimin- 

 ated, mainly by the urine, but also in the other secretions. 



Tbxtcotogrj/.-^Physostigma has been called "ordeal bean," 

 because native Africans suspected of crime are given the 

 crude drug. Vomiting it, they are proved innocent and 

 survive the ordeal. Retaining it, they die, and so are pro- 

 perly and primitively punished. Animals poisoned by Cala- 

 bar bean exhibit milscular tremors which continue through- 

 out the toxic period, and are often so violent as to simulate 

 convulsions. Soon there is loss of muscular power and the 

 animal falls or lies down. The respiration becomes rapid, 

 labored, and stertorous ; the pulse is increased in frequency 

 by large toxic doses, and the temperature slightly elevated. 

 There are salivation and sweating. The pupil is sometimes 

 contracted and, when enormous lethal doses have been 

 injected, dilated. Vomiting occurs in animals capable of 



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