TINCTURA NUCIS VOMICAE--TINCTURE OF NUX VOMICA Made by solution of the extract of nux vomica, 20 in alcohol, and water to make 1000. Standardized to contain 0.1 per cent strychnine. STRYCHNINA--STRYCHNINE An alkaloid obtained from nux vomica, and also obtainable from other plants of the natural order Loganiaceae. DERIVATION.--Nux vomica seeds are powdered and strychnine is extracted with water acidulated with hydrochloric acid. The solution is concentrated and strychnine precipitated with lime. It is then redissolved in boiling alcohol and the crystals are deposited upon concentration of the solution. PROPERTIES.--Colorless, transparent, prismatic crystals, or a white crystalline powder; odorless, having an intensely bitter taste, perceptible even in solutions of 1 in 700,000. Strychnine should be tasted with extreme caution. Permanent in the air, soluble in water, alcohol, ether, chloroform, benzine and amyl alcohol. DOSE.--Same as strychnine sulphate. STRYCHNINAE SULPHAS--STRYCHNINE SULPHATE Made by the action of sulphuric acid on strychnine. PROPERTIES.--Colorless or white, prismatic crystals, odorless and having an intensely bitter taste. Efflorescent in dry air. Soluble in water and alcohol. Almost soluble in ether. DOSE.--Horses, ¹⁄₂ to 1¹⁄₂ gr.; cattle, 1 to 3 gr.; sheep, ¹⁄₄ to ¹⁄₂ gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₁₂₀ to ¹⁄₄₀ gr. The small doses are to be used when strychnine is given subcutaneously. ACTIONS.--Nerve tonic, stomach tonic, stimulates respiration, secretion, appetite and digestion; it increases peristalsis, stimulates both the motor and inhibitory apparatus of the heart, and raises arterial tension by stimulating the vaso-motor centers, thus contracting the arterioles, though full doses relax the arterioles and thus lower blood pressure. Strychnine exalts all functions of the spinal cord, reflex, motor, vaso-motor and sensory, the latter being the least affected; it does not affect the brain directly. TOXICOLOGY.--Large doses cause trembling and twitching of the voluntary and involuntary muscles with violent clonic spasms, lasting one or two minutes, gradually getting more frequent and severe in form involving the glottis, diaphragm and other muscles of respiration; causes death usually from asphyxia. Very large doses may paralyze the cord as from a blow, and cause almost instant death. USES.--Nux vomica or strychnine is indicated in any condition in which there is a paralysis or depressed state of the nerves or nervous system; atonic dyspepsia, broken wind, relaxed condition of the bowels due to lack of tone, in small doses. In weak condition of the heart give with small doses of digitalis; it stimulates sexual organs. Give it in convalescence from debilitating diseases, also as an aid to recovery during their progress; in collapse and for narcotic poisoning strychnine hypodermically in paralysis, whether of limbs, intestines or bladder.