VEEATEINE 469 



Dose.—R:, gr.ss.-ii. (.03-.12) ; C, gr.ii.-v. (.12-.3) ; D., 

 gr 1/50-1/10 (.0012-.006). 



The smaller doses to be given subcutaneously. 



PBEPABA.TIONS. 



Oleatum Veratrinw. Oleate of Vera trine, 2 per cent. (U. ,S. P.) 

 Vnguentum Veratrinw. (U. S. & B. P.) (4 per cent., U. S. P.) 



Action Internal. — Veratrine is a powerful irritant. If 

 inhaled in minutest quantity it causes sneezing and a mucous, 

 or bloody discharge. When injected under the skin, vera- 

 trine occasions suffering and restlessenss. Eubbed into the 

 skin or applied to a mucous membrane or raw surface, it 

 produces redness and pain followed by local ansesthesia. 



Action Internal. — Here again veratrine is an intense 

 irritant. After ingestion of large doses, there are salivation, 

 violent vomiting, in animals capable of the act ; often severe 

 purging, pain, collapse, fall of temperature and other symp- 

 toms common to gastro-enteritis. 



Nervous System and Muscles. — Veratrine is. a poison to 

 the mediilla, spinal cord, motor and sensory nerves and mus- 

 cles, first exalting and then depressing and paralyzing their 

 functional activity. The cerebrum escapes its influence. 

 Spasms and convulsions occur in veratrine poisoning, in the 

 stage of motor excitement, while paralysis follows depression 

 of the nerves and muscles. The action of the substance be- 

 gins and ends sooner in the nerves than the muscles. The 

 ■effect of veratrine on voluntary muscle is peculiar. A tracing 

 of a muscle during contraction shows that the latent period, 

 and that of ascent, is unaltered; but the amount of contrac- 

 tion is much augmented, as shown by the increased height 

 of the curve ; and the time of relaxation is greatly prolonged. 



Circulation. — Veratrine affects the heart muscle much 

 as it does the striped muscle, arid the vagus nerve similarly 

 to the spinal nerves. The cardiac muscle, vagus and vaso- 

 motor centres are primarily stimulated, while later the heart 

 muscle, vagus endings and vasomotor centres are depressed 

 and paralyzed. Three conditions have been noted in rela- 

 tion to the pulse, corresponding to different stages in the 

 action of veratrine. 1. A small dose may induce a temporary . 



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