470 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



was forbidden. For a long time its origin was unknown, and it was supposed 

 to be derived from the Bruceaferruginea, but this was disproved by Geiger, 

 on a comparison of the two barks. It was then asserted by Batka that it 

 must be the product of a Strychnos, founding his supposition on its composi- 

 tion and properties ; this was confirmed by Dr. Pereira, and fully established 

 by Dr. O'Shaughnessy. (Mad. Jour, and Am. Jour. Pharm. iv. 144.) An 

 analysis of it by the above-mentioned chemists shows it to contain, Gallate 

 of Brucia, Fatty matter, Gum, Yellow colouring matter, &c. 



Medical Properties. — Nux vomica and its alkaloids are powerful poisons, 

 its action being principally on the cerebro-spinal system. In small doses, it usu- 

 ally acts as a tonic, and increases the secretion of urine, and sometimes operates 

 somewhat on the bowels, or produces a sudorific effect. When the dose is 

 somewhat larger, the stomach is disordered, and uneasiness and nausea 

 induced ; on increasing the quantity, a new train of phenomena are induced ; 

 a sense of weight and weakness in the limbs, and increased sensibility to ex- 

 ternal impressions of all kinds, manifest themselves, soon followed by depres- 

 sion of the spirits and anxiety; a trembling of the limbs ensues, with slight 

 convulsive motions of the muscles ; if the medicine be repeated, these symp- 

 toms increase; there is a universal convulsion of all parts of the body, espe- 

 cially when motion is attempted, and erotic symptoms frequently occur. In 

 paralytic patients the convulsive motions are principally confined to the af- 

 fected parts. In still larger doses, tetanus, asphyxia, and death, are the 

 result. 



The mode in which the medicine causes these effects is not clearly under- 

 stood, especially why it first displays its influence on paralysed limbs. Seve- 

 ral explanations have been attempted by Segulas, Marshall Hall, and others, 

 but none of them are perfectly satisfactory. (See Pereira, Elem. Mat. Med. 

 ii. 366.) 



The principal employment of Nux vomica is in the treatment of paralysis, 

 especially when it is of some standing, and where no hyperaemic or hsemor- 

 rhagic condition of the nervous centres exists, for it is usually inapplicable in 

 the recent forms, or until the removal of the primary affection by bleeding or 

 other antiphlogistic measures. Its use is limited to those cases where, all in- 

 flammatory action or congestion being removed, there is no return of power 

 to the paralysed parts. It has been found more useful in paraplegia than in 

 hemiplegia, and has also been found of benefit in some local palsies. It has 

 also been recommended in dysentery, pyrosis, and other disorders of the 

 alimentary canal, and has been found of some utility, though not of such de- 

 cided powers as to supersede other and less dangerous remedies. It has been 

 given in cases of impotence with some benefit, but sufficient trials have not 

 been made to establish its exact operation in these cases. 



It is used in the form of powder, tincture, and extract ; the dose of the first 

 is from two to three grains, gradually increased ; of the tincture, five to ten 

 drops ; and of the extract, half a grain, to be gradually increased to two or 

 three. 



Strychnia and Brucia have the same properties as the Nux vomica, and 

 the first is generally substituted for it, from possessing greater certainty and 

 uniformity of action. From its excessively poisonous nature, great care is 

 requisite in administering it, more especially as it appears, like digitalis; to 

 sometimes accumulate in the system. This alkaloid is also used externally, 

 either in the form of an ointment, or sprinkled on a blistered surface. The 

 dose of Strychnia or its salts is from a twentieth to a sixteenth of a grain, 

 gradually increasing the dose, until its effects on the muscular system become 

 apparent. Brucia is seldom employed, but from the experiments of Dr. 



