STRYCHNOS MUX VOMICA. 
297 
of the constitution, both general and partial." M. Magendie gives 
the following directions for preparing the extract : — 
'* Take a determinate quantity of rasped Nux Vomica, exhaust it 
by repeated maceration in alcohol of 40°. Baum^, sp. gr. .817 
British, and evaporate it slowly to the consistence of an extract." 
" A grain (gr. 0.82 troy) of this extract, absorbed from any part of 
the body, or mixed with food, destroys a dog of considerable size, 
by inducing paroxysms of tetanus, which, by their continuance, stop 
the respiration, being enough to produce complete asphyxia ; when 
the dose is much stronger, the animal appears to perish entirely 
from the action of the substance on the nervous system."* The action 
of this extract on the healthy human body is precisely the same ; 
and if the dose be sufficiently large, death speedily follows, with the 
same symptoms. The traces of the asphyxia, which caused death, 
are alone observable on dissection. On man when affected with 
paralysis, the effect is the same ; but it is particularly manifested in 
the paralyzed parts : it is there the tetanic symptoms occur, with a 
creeping sensation which announces the action of the remedy ; a 
local perspiration in the same parts also breaks out. In cases of 
hemiplegia, the halves of the body exhibit a striking contrast ; one 
side being at rest while the other is violently agitated ; tetanic 
shocks soon succeed, and an abundant perspiration breaks out. 
** In one female the affected side was covered with a peculiar 
eruption, when the opposite shewed no trace of it ; a decidedly bit- 
ter taste was likewise perceived on one side of the tongue, while no 
such sensation occurred on the other." When a larger dose is 
given, the two sides of the body participate unequally in the tetanic 
effect, so that the patient is sometimes thrown out of bed by the 
violence of the paroxysm. When given in very small doses, the 
extract has not any perceptible effect immediately, and some days 
elapse before its advantageous or noxious properties can be appre- 
ciated. f M. Magendie says that this extract may be given in all dis- 
eases attended by debility, local or general, and paralyses of all kinds, 
general or partial ; also in cases of weakness of the genital organs, 
incontinence of urine, sluggish digestion, and in states of extreme 
debility, attended by an irresistable disposition to sleep. The extract 
is administered in the form of pills, containing a grain (gr. 0.82) 
each ; one or two may at first be given daily, and gradually increased 
* Magendie, Formulaire. 
t Ibid. 
VOL. II. 
