152 
CEPHAELIS IPECAOUANHA. 
compounds. Gallic acid and nut galls seem to alter it, by formiu"^ 
very abundant white precipitates. Subacetate of lead has no effect 
on it, though it precipitates the coloured (or impure) emetine, which 
has, according to Majendie, only one-third the activity on the animal 
frame of the pure substance. Its constituents are carbon 64.57; 
azote 4.00 ; hydrogen 7.77 ; oxygen 22.95.* " 
Action of the Coloured Emetine on the Animal 
System. This substance given to dogs and cats, to tiie extent of 
from half a grain to two or three grains, produced vomiting, followed 
sometimes by long protracted sleep ; but when given to a greater ex- 
tent, such as ten grains, it produced upon dogs repeated vomiting, ac- 
companied by stupor, in which the animal, instead of recovering, as in 
the other case, commonly died in the course of twenty-four hours. On 
opening the body, the cause of death was discovered to be a violent 
inflammation of the pulmonary tissue, and of the mucous membrane 
of the intestinal canal, from the cardia to the anus-^phenomena very 
analogous to those described by our author, in a separate memoir on 
the action of tartar emetic. The same elfects are produced, whether 
the emetine be injected into the jugular vein, or simply absorbed 
from any part of the body. 
Two grains taken on an empty stomach, gave rise to protracted 
vomiting, followed by a marked disposition to sleep. Sometimes a 
quarter of a grain will be sufficient to excite nausea and vomiting. 
In cases of disease, the action of this substance is perfectly analo- 
gous. It both vomits and purges, but acts beneficially m catarrhal 
affections, particularly those of a chronic kind.f 
Action of Pure Emetine on the Animal System. It is 
the same as that of the coloured, but much more powerful. Two 
grains are sufficient to kill a large dog. M. Magendie saw vomiting 
produced by -Jg- of a grain in a man aged 85, in whom however 
vomiting was easily excited. 
Medicinal Employment of Impure or Coloured 
Emetine. The cases in which emetine may be given are the same 
as those in which ipecacuan is indicated. To procure vomitin- 
dissolve four grains, and giye it in divided doses. If the whole 
quantity were administered together, the vomiting thereby excited 
would expel it at once from the stomach, without producing any 
other effect. >=> j 
* Annates de Ctiim. et Pbys. vol. xxiv.; and Ure's Chemical Dictionary 
t See RechercLes Chimiques, et Physiologiques sur I'Ipecacuan, par MM. Ma- 
jendie et Pelletier — Paris, 1817. 
