for flavoring purposes, but has been used in hysteria and low fevers. VERATRUM VIRIDE, American Hellebore,-is the rhizome and rootlets of Veratrum viride, or Indian Poke, Pokeroot, Swamp Hellebore, an indigenous plant of the nat. ord. Melanthaceæ, having a solid, round stem, furnished with bright green leaves, and terminating in a panicle of greenish-yellow flowers. The root is perennial, upright, externally blackish-gray, internally grayish-white, 2 to 3 inches long, with numerous, shrivelled rootlets, inodorous but sternutatory when powdered, taste bitter and very acrid. It contains several alkaloids, Jervine, CH NO, Pseudo-jervine, CHNO,, Cevadine, CH ̧ÑO,, a very little Rubijervine, CHNO,, and traces of Veratrine, CHNO, and Veratralbine, CHÑO. Veratroidine, formerly regarded as one of its alkaloids, is now thought to be Rubijervine and Resin. Veratrum Viride also contains Gallic Acid and Sugar. 43 26 Allied Plants. VERATRUM ALBUM, White Hellebore,—is a native of the mountainous regions of continental Europe, and so closely resembles V. Viride in appearance and characteristics that it may be considered a variety of the same plant. The rhizome was official in the U. S. P. 1870. It contains the alkaloids Jervine, Pseudojervine, Rubijervine, traces of Cevadine, and another powerful alkaloid Veratralbine, CHNO 281 VERATRUM SABADILLA, Čevadilla, Asagræa officinalis,—is a bulbous plant of the nat. ord. Melanthaceæ, indigenous in Mexico and Central America. It contains the alkaloids Cevadine (formerly called Veratrine), Cevadilline and Veratrine, with Veratric and Sabadillic or Cevadic Acids. It is the source of the official Veratrine (see below). The seeds are official in the Br. Phar. under the title SABADILLA. Preparations. EXTRACTUM VERATRI VIRIDIS FLUIDUM,-Dose, mj-iv. VERATRINA, Veratrine,-is an alkaloid or mixture of alkaloids prepared from the seeds of Asagrea officinalis (see above). A white, or grayish-white, amorphous powder, highly irritant to the nostrils, of very acrid taste, producing tingling and numbness of the tongue and constriction of the fauces; slightly soluble in cold water, soluble in 3 of alcohol at 59° F., in 6 of ether, 2 of chloroform, 96 of glycerin and in 56 of olive oil. Dose, gr. go to. UNGUENTUM VERATRINÆ,-Veratrine 4, Alcohol 6, Benzoinated Lard 96 For local use. parts. OLEATUM VERATRINÆ, Veratrine 2, Oleic Acid 98 parts. For local use. Physiological Action. VERATRUM VIRIDE is a powerful depressant to the heart and a paralyzant of the spinal cord, acting similarly to Aconite in this respect, but differing therefrom in affecting respiration to a much less extent, in being a systemic emeto-cathartic (due to its Rubijervine), in paralyzing the motor nervous system centrally, impairing the reflexes but not sensation, and in having little or no action as a diaphoretic or diuretic. It produces great depression, but is seldom fatal in its results; when it causes death it does so by paralyzing the heart. In small doses it reduces the force of the pulse without at first affecting the rate, which afterwards however becomes very slow and the pulse soft and compressible, rising on the least exertion to be very rapid and feeble. Muscular weakness and frequently nausea and vomiting accompany the depression of the circulation. By large doses these symptoms are very much increased, the pulse becomes extremely rapid and almost imperceptible, the skin cold and clammy, constant vomiting, great weakness, giddiness, lost vision and partial unconsciousness ensue. JERVINE represents in part the depressant action of the plant on the circulation and the central nervous system. It has no action on the vagus, and but little on the voluntary muscles or on the motor nerves, but it irritates the motor centres in the brain, causing convulsions, and slows the heart by direct action on the cardiac muscle or its motor ganglia. It kills by asphyxia, respiration ceasing before the heart stops. VERATROIDINE, which is probably Rubijervine plus a poisonous resin, also slows the respiration and the pulse, but differs from Jervine in always causing emeto-catharsis, and in producing less violent convulsions. It stimulates the vagus centre and paralyses the vagus terminations, also increasing the excitability of the vaso-motor centre. VERATRINE is an intensely acrid and irritant powder, consisting probably of several alkaloids. It causes violent sneezing, a burning sensation in the respiratory passages and free salivation. It affects the heart and circulation similarly to the other Veratriæ, and seems in addition to be a direct poison to muscular tissue, causing violent convulsions before the muscular paralysis sets in. VERATRUM ALBUM contains a very powerful alkaloid Veratralbine, and perhaps also an irritant poisonous resin. Its general action is similar to that of the official plant, but it is much more irritant to the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane, causing violent vomiting and purging, intense abdominal and œsophageal pain, greatly reduced pulse and temperature, collapse and death from cardiac and respiratory paralysis. Antagonists and Incompatibles. Alcohol, Opium, Belladonna and Ammonia counteract the cardiac depression. Morphine and Atropine should be administered hypodermically, or Laudanum internally with alcoholic stimulants, the recumbent position should be enforced, and dry heat applied to the body. Caustic alkalies are incompatible, as they decompose the alkaloids. Therapeutics. VERATRUM VIRIDE is inferior to Aconite in most of the fevers and inflammations, by reason of its lacking power over excretion. It renders good service, however, in the early stages of many parenchymatous and serous inflammations when occurring in sthenic subjects, especially in pneumonia. It is highly esteemed in puerperal fever and in many cardiac disorders, as simple hypertrophy, irritable heart, etc. It has been used with remarkably good results in many cases of acute mania and puerperal convulsions, and it is of service in aneurism to depress the circulation to the lowest point, but in this case the recumbent position must be strictly observed in order to secure safety. It should always be administered in small doses and its effects carefully watched. VERATRUM ALBUM is the "Hellebore" of the ancient physicians, and was much used by them as a derivative in insanity. It is rarely used at present except by the homoeopathists, who give it in the cold stage of cholera, in colic, in the vomiting and purging of summer diarrhoea, in whooping-cough and asthma. VERATRINE is chiefly used externally. The ointment or oleate may be used with benefit in many cases of superficial neuralgia, myalgia and headaches, a small quantity being rubbed in over the seat of the pain. It may be absorbed through an abrasion of the cuticle and give rise to dangerous symptoms. Internally it has been employed as a cardiac sedative in fevers and inflammation, also in acute articular rheumatism, dropsies, dysmenorrhoea and various nervous affections, but its uncertainty of action and the dangerous depression which it may produce have caused it to lose favor as an internal remedy. VERBASCUM, Mullein (Unofficial),-the leaves of Verbascum Thaspus, the Mullein-weed, a common plant of the nat. ord. Scrophulariaceæ, having large woolly leaves and yellow flowers in dense spikes. Its chief constituent is mucilage, though the flowers contain an essential oil in very small proportion. An infusion of 3iv.of fresh leaves to the pint of milk is the form in which it has generally been given; this quantity to be taken thrice daily. Physiological Action and Therapeutics. Mullein is emollient and demulcent, perhaps also slightly anodyne. It has long been a popular Irish remedy in pulmonary affections, as under its use the weight steadily increases in phthisis and other wasting disorders, while expectoration is rendered more easy, cough is palliated and the general condition improved. It is also recommended in cystitis, irritable bladder, and diarrhoea, and is employed as an enema in dysentery and as a poultice for hemorrhoids. The dried leaves may be smoked with benefit in aphonia from laryngeal irritation. VIBURNUM, Black Haw,-is the bark of Viburnum prunifolium, an indigenous shrub or small tree of the nat. ord. Caprifoliaceæ, having sharply serrulate leaves, and small, white flowers in terminal cymes. The bark occurs in glossy, purplish-brown, thin pieces or quills covered with scattered warts and minute black dots; inner surface whitish and smooth, inodorous, somewhat astringent and bitter. It contains tannic, oxalic, citric and malic acids, sulphates and chlorides; also two resins, one of which is named Viburnin, and Viburnic Acid, which is identical with Valerianic Acid. Preparation. EXTRACTUM VIBURNI FLUIDUM,-Dose, 3ss-ij. Physiological Action and Therapeutics. Viburnum is considered to possess nervine, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic and tonic properties, and to be especially useful in preventing abortion in the nervous diseases of pregnancy, and in dysmenorrhoea. It may be administered with cannabis indica, morphine, nerve-sedatives or simple aromatics. No exact observations have been made regarding its action, and its therapeutical claims are denied by many who have used it. It often excites nausea and vomiting. Viburnum Opulus, Cramp-bark, Cranberry-tree,—another shrub of the same genus, is highly valued by many practitioners as a remedy in uterine and other abdominal pains, but is not VIOLA TRICOLOR-VISCUM. 391 official. The so-called "Viburnum Compound of Dr. Hayden," is stated by its manufacturers to consist of "the active principles of the Viburnum Opulus, Dioscorea Villosa, Scutellaria Lateriflora, and a combination of aromatics, prepared by a process peculiar to ourselves." This they call publishing the formula of the preparation. VIOLA TRICOLOR, Pansy,-is the wild-grown, flowering herb of Viola tricolor, the Heart's-ease Pansy, a plant of the nat. ord. Violaceæ, native in Europe, but naturalized in the southern U. S. It has an angular and nearly smooth stem; leaves alternate, petiolate, ovate or oblong and crenate; flowers with an obtuse spur and variegated petals, inodorous, taste somewhat bitter and acrid. It contains an active alkaloid Violine, allied in many respects to Emetine, and poisonous. There are no official preparations. Dose, gr. x-3j, in decoction. Physiological Action and Therapeutics. Viola is mucilaginous, emollient, expectorant and slightly laxative. Its active principle is emeto-cathartic, but exists in very small quantity in the plant. A decoction of the fresh herb in milk, with a poultice of the same was formerly highly recommended in crusta lactea and impetigo. It is used with benefit in some forms of eczema, especially in that of the head and face, and has had some reputation in bronchitis and constitutional syphilis. VISCUM, Mistletoe (Unofficial),-occurs in two species. (1) Viscum album, the European Mistletoe, a small, parasitic, evergreen shrub, of the nat. ord. Loranthaceæ, growing chiefly on deciduous-leaved trees, and (2) Viscum flavescens, the American species, growing on oaks, elms, etc. They contain mucilage, starch, fixed oil, resin, salts, etc., and Viscin, or Bird-lime, which occurs also in Ilex aquifolium, Gentiana lutea and other plants. Dose, gr. x-3j in decoction, or mv-xxx of a ten per cent. tincture. Physiological Action and Therapeutics. The berries of the mistletoes have produced emeto-catharsis, with great thirst, tenesmus, bloody stools, convulsions and even death in young children. The leaves and twigs have been used in epilepsy, hysteria, chorea, asthma and other nervous affections. |