STKOPHANTHUS 453 



4 The use of digitalis in large doses as an antipyretic 

 in fevers is not without danger and is inadvisable. 



Steophanthus. Strophanthus, 

 (U. S. & B. P.) 



The seed of Strophanthus Kombe Oliver (nat. ord. 

 Apocynacese), deprived of its long awn. 



Habitat. — Tropical Africa. There are eighteen species, 

 and the seeds from at least two are found in commerce. 

 This has led to some confusion, as the chemical and physio- 

 logical properties of their different products vary to some 

 extent. 



Description. — About 15 Mm. long and 4 or 5 Mm. broad ; 

 oblong-lanceolate, flattened and obtusely edged, grayish- 

 green, covered with appressed, silky hair, one side with a 

 ridge extending into the attenuated, pointed end; kernel 

 white and oily, consisting of a straight embryo, having two 

 thin cotyledons, and surrounded by a thin layer of peris- 

 perm ; nearly inodorous ; taste very bitter. 



Constituents. — The chief one is (1) Strophanthiu, Cji H^s 

 Oi2 (8-10 per cent.), a glucoside occurring in white or faintly 

 yellowish crystalline powders, and having a very bitter 

 taste. Soluble in water and alcohol, and insoluble in 

 chloroform or ether. Decomposed by sulphuric acid into 

 glucose and strophanthidin. Strophanthin is said to be 

 contained only in S. Komb6. It varies in composition and 

 strength and decomposes in solution. (2) Kombic acid. 

 (3) An alkaloid, Ineine. (4) Tanghinin, occurring in rhombic 

 prisms. 



PREPARATION. 



Tinctura Strophanthi. Tincture of Strophanthus. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Made by digestion and percolation of strophanthus (100) with 

 alcohol and water to make 1000. (U. S. P.) 



Oose.—S. & C, 3 i.-iv. (4.-15.); D., mii.-x. (.13-.6). The minimiim 

 doses should be used at first, since preparations vary in strength. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



