Made by adding camphor, 50 parts to fluidextract of belladonna to make 1,000 parts (U. S. P.).
ATROPINAE SULPHAS—SULPHATE OF ATROPHINE
An alkaloid obtained from belladonna. As it occurs in commerce, it is always accompanied by small proportion of hyoscyamine extracted along with it, from which it cannot readily be separated.
Derivation.—Atropine is obtained from a strong tincture of the root.
Properties.—A white crystalline powder, very soluble in water and alcohol.
Dose.—Horses, 1⁄2 to 11⁄2 grs.; cattle, 1 to 2 grs.; sheep and pigs, 1⁄20 to 1⁄12 gr.; dogs, 1⁄150 to 1⁄50 gr. The doses should be considerably reduced when used with morphine.
Incompatibles.—Caustic alkalies; antagonize physiologically by pilocarpine and physostigma throughout almost whole range of its influence, and opium within a certain limitation, prevents the respiratory failure, which is the cause of death.
Action.—Belladonna is an irritant narcotic, a mydriatic, an antispasmodic and anodyne. In small doses a cardiac, respiratory and spinal stimulant; in large doses a paralyzer of the sensory and motor nerve endings and a stimulator of the entire sympathetic system.
It produces dryness of the mucous membrane of the throat, mouth, nose and pharynx, and at first lessens the gastric and intestinal secretions, but soon produces them in large quantities. It is anti-galactogogue, that is, it arrests secretion of milk.
The heart rate is at first slowed, but soon becomes very rapid and vigorous, the pulse being doubled in rapidity; arterial tension is raised and the circulation greatly increased.