to be preferable to the alkaloid strychnine. As a general tonic in retaxed conditions of the muscular system, and in delirium tremens, strychnine is an invaluable remedy. It is also used with advantage as a stimulant of the nervous centres in some forms of paralysis after the symptoms of irritation have sub-sided, and in sexual debility. Applied externally nux vomica acts as an irritant, and if the skin is abraded its active principles may be absorbed and give rise to symptoms of poisoning.
Prof. C. Paœsi (Bollitina Farmaceutica, 1881,) has demonstrated the antiseptico properties of the different species of Strychnos and their alkaloids, and suggests that the effectiveness of the species of Strychnos which are used in tropical countries against fevers and poisonous bites may possibly be owing to the antiseptic and anti-fermentative power of alkaloids. Pharmacographica Indica, Vol. II. p. 1466).
Lauder Brunton (Practitioner, Jan. 1888,) recommends strychnine in sleeplessness due to mental fatigue, caused by strain or worry as preferable to opium, chloral and bromides. He has given 1/200 to 1/100 grain of the alkaloid, or 5 to 10 minims of tincture of nux vomica at bed-time, the dose being repeated if the patient wake within one or two hours.
G. A. Gibson (Practitioner, Dec. ,1889,) strongly recommends the hypodermic injection of strychnine in case of opium narcosis or in any case of narcotic poisoning where there occurs any irregularity or interruption of the breathing that appears to threaten a failure of the respiratory centre. (Pharmaeographida Indica, Vol. II. p. 466).
It contains the two well known alkaloids-strychnine and brucine.
A new alkaloid, struxine, has been found in Nux vomica, associated with strychnine and brucine. In neutralising the acid solution of the crude alkaloid sulphates of Nux vomica, the new alkaloid separates as a base when the liquor is just neutral or is still slightly acid, while strychnine and brucine remain in solution. When purified by reprecipitation and crystallisation from alcohol, struxine was obtained as colourless crystals, which begin to char when heated at about 250° C. Its mol. wt. is 371 and probable formula, C21H30N3O4 . It forms normal and acid salts. Only a few lots of Nux vomica, contained this substance, and then the quantities yielded differed greatly among the different lots. All the beans which contained this alkaloid were from shipments made from Cochin-China ; these lots, which consisted mostly of small beans, insect-eaten and partly decomposed by prolonged exposure in wet fields, contained the largest percentage of the alkaloid (average 0.1%). It is supposed that the new alkaloid is a product of decomposition, by fermentation or oxidation of either strychnine or brucine. J. Ch. I for 15th March, 1916 p. 246.
{{smaller|In the germination of Strychnos Nux Vomica, brucine is formed first in all parts. Both strychnine and brucine are formed independently of light in the germination leaves before the chlorophyll makes its appearance. The alkaloidal content of the different parts in percentages is:— Original seeds 2.98, seed husks after exfoliation 2.11, young germination rootlets 4.48, older germination rootlets 3.72, hypocotyledonous axis 2.43, young cotyledons whilst yellow 6-62, when older and green 4.65.-U. Ch. I., for 15th February, 1911, p. 151).
