ATROPINE. — Atropine (atropina of the U. S. Ph. and Br. Ph.; atropinum of German Ph.) is an alkaloid obtained from the leaves and roots (bark of the root) of the deadly-nightshade (Atropa belladonna, L.). It occurs in white, acicular crystals, or in white, amorphous powder (turns yellow upon exposure to the air) of bitter, acrid taste and decided alkaline reaction; is soluble in 130 parts of water, 3 parts of alcohol, 1G parts of ether, 4 parts of chloroform, and in 50 parts of glycerin. It melts at 239° F. Atropine forms salts, when combined with acids, among which are the hydro chlorate, nitrate, salicylate, and sul phate; these salts are generally used on Atropine and hyoseyamine are prac tically identical, and both atropine— heavy atropine—and hyoscyarnine--light atropine—can be obtained from either belladonna or hyoscyanius. The tend ency, nowadays, is to use the term "heavy" atropine in place of atropine, and "light" atropine in place of hyoscy amine. The difference between them is purely chemical, and pharmacologically the two products are identical.
These discoveries necessitate a consid erable modification in the classification of the alkaloids originally adopted. The most recent views on the subject are expressed in the following table:— Belladonna contains Atropine.
I ine= Atropine.
scopolamine.
13Yose• in ''''''' Atropine.
Stramoninm contains f Atropine Atropine.
Datil rine j Ilyosoyanune— Atropine.
Scopolia contains Scopolamine.
Duboisia contains Daboisine...11yoseyamine= Atropine.
This arrangement considerably lightens our labors, for, instead of having half a dozen alkaloids to consider, we have now only two. William Murrell, of London (Med. Brief, Jan., '98).
.Atropine is chemically incompatible with the alkalies, tannin, and the salts of mercury; it is physiologically incom patible with morphine (opium), pilocar pine, muscarine, aconitine, and eserine (physostigmine).
Dose and Physiological Action.—The usual dose of atropine given internally is from to grain. The maxi mum single dose is 1/20 grain. The physiological action has been observed and described by John Harley. If/ 120 grain be injected beneath the skin of a healthy adult, there will be noticed, after 10 to 20 minutes, a quickening of the pulse, and generally a small increase in volume and power. This change will be very decided if the pulse was pre viously slow and feeble. The increase in the number of pulse-beats will gen erally amount to 20 per minute; it will take place suddenly, and attain its maxi mum within one or two minutes. In about half an hour a gradual decline takes place and the heart soon returns to its usual state, and continues to beat as quickly and powerfully as before. Just as the pulse rises, a slight giddiness is often perceptible. Usually these will be the whole of the symptoms; but, in weak and delicate adults, a feeling of dryness of the mouth and throat, and, at the end of an hour or two, a slight dilatation of the pupil, in a subdued light, will be superadded.
When grain is used, the accelera tion of the pulse will be found to range between 20 and 60 beats, the rise being attended by considerable giddiness and waviness of the vision. The patient
walks cautiously, and with an inclina tion to unsteadiness. After 20 to 40 minutes he will complain, with some huskiness of voice, of great dryness of the throat and mouth; and the anterior part of the tongue or the whole of the dorsum, excepting a wide margin, will be found dry, brown, and rough. The hard palate and, in many persons, the soft palate also, will be perfectly dry and glazed. There will be more or less som nolency, and sometimes a little flushing of the face. The dilatation of the pupils will amount to or inch.
The effects of 1/4$ grain (a full me dicinal dose) are as follow: After 10 or 15 minutes an acceleration of the pulse from 20 to 70 beats; no apparent change in volume, but a decided increase in the force of the cardiac contractions and of the arterial tonus; a general diffusion of warmth, a slight throbbing or heav ing sensation in the carotids, and a feel ing of pressure under the parietal bones; giddiness, heaviness, drowsiness, or actual sleep, with great tendency to dreamy de lirium, and, in women, slight occasional starlings; complete dryness of the tongue, roof of the mouth, and soft palate, ex tending more or less down the pharynx and larynx, rendering the voice husky, and often inducing dry cough and diffi culty in swallowing; parched lips, occa sional dryness of the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, and increasing dilatation of the pupils. After about two hours the dryness of the mouth is relieved by the appearance of a viscid, acid secretion of an offensive odor, like the sweat of the feet; the mouth be comes foul and clammy, and a bitter, coppery taste is complained of; but as moisture returns to the mouth, the pulse is observed to fall, and it now rapidly regains its ordinary rate and character. The pupils have now reached their max imum dilatation and measure,—about inch; but, when exposed to bright light, they will still contract to or even inch, according to their orig inal size. Slight elevation of surface temperature is noticed during the action of the medicine, rarely exceeding 1°. and a still less elevation of the internal temperature of the body. No difference will be observed in the rate of the res piration, except (in nervous women) a little emotional excitement on the sud den accession of the giddiness. The breathing will be tranquil, the patient occasionally heaving a deep sigh, and still oftener taking a prolonged yawn, as he sits still in a dull, apathetic or drowsy condition. After the pulse has resumed its ordinary rate, and the mouth has be come moist, the giddiness and drowsiness pass off, and the patient appears toler ably lively and brisk in mind and body. But he will himself continue to feel for some hours longer such languor of body and mind as will render him disinclined for, or even incapable of, active bodily or mental exertion. Slight dimness of vision also remains, and the patient is unable to thread a needle, or even to read.