464 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



fully by powerful anodynes and antispasmodics (opium and 

 belladonna). 



In chronic or long continued fevers, the use of aconite 

 should not be persisted in, but it should be given at the very 

 outset of fevers and repeated frequently in small doses. 

 TTLxv. for the horse, and TTl.ii. for the dog, every fifteen min- 

 utes for tv?o hours, and afterwards IT|,xxx. for the horse and 

 ni,iii. for the dog, hourly, being governed, however, by the 

 condition of the pulse and temperature and the physiolo- 

 gical effects. Aconite is a useful sedative in some cardiac 

 disturbances. It quiets nervous palpitation, and that form 

 resulting from hypertrophy of the heart. It can be admin- 

 istered to advantage in the first stages of acute pericarditis 

 and endocarditis. 



Veeateum. Veratrum.* 



Synonym. — Veratri viridis rhizoma, B. P. ; veratrum 

 viride, American hellebore, green hellebore root, Indian poke 

 root, E. ; griiner germer, G. veratri albi rhizoma, white helle- 

 bore root, E. 



The rhizome and roots of Veratrum viride Aiton or 

 Veratrum album Linne (nat. ord Liliacea?). 



Description. — Rhizome upright, obconical, simple or 

 divided, from 3 to 8 Cm. long and 2 to 4 or 5 Cm. thick; 

 externally blackish-gray, internally grayish-white; showing 

 numerous short, irregular wood-bundles. Roots emanating 

 from all sides of the rhizome, niimerous, shrivelled, light 

 yellowish-brown ; about 10 to 20 Cm. long and 2 Mm. thick. 

 Inodorous, but strongly sternutatory when powdered; taste 

 bitterish and very acrid. 



Constituents. — 1. Veratrine (CgaH^glSTOg), a pure 

 alkaloid. 2. Jervine (CagH.^lSrOg), a pure alkaloid. 

 3. An impure alkaloid, veratroidine, a mixture of rubijerv- 

 ine and an inert resin.' 4. Pseudojervine. 5. Rubijervine. 

 5. A resin, a gastro-intestinal irritant. 



Veratrum Dose. — H. & C, 3 ss.-i. (2.-4.) ; Sh. & Sw., 

 gr.xx.-xxx. (1.3-2.) ; D., 1-10-i. (.006-.06). 



*Great confusion exists concerning the alkaloids in veratrum be- 

 cause writers apply different names to the same alkaloids. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



