4. The physiological test—eserine solution instilled into the eye of an animal produces contraction of the pupil.
Treatment.—The stomach should be emptied and washed out by means of the syphon tube, or emetics administered. One-fiftieth to one thirtieth of a grain of atropine sulphate should be administered hypodermically and repeated until the pupils dilate. The tincture of belladonna may be given by the mouth. Stimulants should be given and artificial respiration carried out if required.
CHAPTER XIV
EXCITOMOTORY POISONS
NUX VOMICA STRYCHNINE
Some of the most poisonous known plants belong to the genus Strychnos (N.O. Loganiaceæ).
The Java poison, Upas Tieuté, is a watery extract of S. Tieuté; the basis of the poison used in Guiana, and known as Wourali, Ourari, Urari, or Curare, is the juice of S. toxifera. S. nux vomica, the Koochla tree, produces the nux vomica seeds of commerce; and the bark of the tree has been accidentally substituted for cusparia, or angustura bark, hence it is known as false angustura bark. The substitution is attended with considerable risk, on account of the strychnine which the false bark contains. It may be known by its being quilled, externally covered with white lichenous spots, and the internal surface becoming blood-red when touched with nitric acid. This reaction, which depends upon the presence of an alkaloid, brucine, does not occur when true angustura bark is thus treated.
NUX VOMICA
The Seeds of S. Nux Vomica
The British Pharmacopœia contains an extract and a tincture. The alkaloid strychnine is the active principle of the seeds and other parts of the plant. Another alkaloid, brucine, is also found, and is poisonous.