CHARLES E. DE M. SAJOUS, Philadelphia.
ERGOT.—Ergot, popularly known as spurred rye, is the sclerotium of a fungus (the Claviceps purpurea) which attacks and finally supplants the grain in the common rye (the Secale cereale). It presents itself in grains of a slightly curved, fusiform shape, which are brittle, yet moderately flexible. It has a dis agreeable, fishy odor, and a somewhat bitter, acrid taste. Ecbolic acid, ergotic acid, sclerotinic acid, ergotine and er gotinine, and ecboline have been isolated by chemists who have claimed each to be the active principle.
Two new constituents of ergot are named chrysotoxin and secalintoxin. The former is a combination of a non nitrogenous resin, "sphacelotoxin," which possesses the pharmacological properties peculiar to ergot, with another sub stance, "crgochrysin," which is itself in active. The latter is a compound of the •same active resin, "sphacelotoxin," with an inactive alkaloid, "secalin." The pharmacological actions of chrysotoxin and secalintoxin are alike in kind, but differ in degree, and are due in each case to the sphacelotoxin component. Neither of these compounds present the characteristic actions of the alkaloid cornutin, and cannot, therefore, be re garded as containing that body; the peculiar convulsive effect of cornutin, and also its action upon the uterus and its contents, is one of the disadvantages of employing the crude ergot in medi cine. C. Jacobs (Archie f. exper. Path.
Pharm., Apr., '97).
The efficient principle of ergot is largely chrysotoxin, and sphacelotoxin is most advantageous of all the prep arations. In subcutaneous administra
tion the dose is from V,. to drachm, which produces prompt uterine Con tractions. The remedy has little effect upon the general condition of the pa tient. The hypodermic use of ergot is much superior to the administration of ordinary preparations by the mouth. Palm (Monats. f. Ceburts. mid Gyniik.. Bd. xvi, H. 5, 1902).
Robert claims that there are—besides the above active principles—ergotinic acid, sphacelinic acid, and cornutin.
The virtues of the latter two ingredients, however, are lost by long keeping.
Solution of crgotine can be preserved antiseptic for at least five days, if a few drops of carbolic acid be previously added to the solution. Aufrecht (Ther. Monats, May, '91).
Ergotinol considered preferable to other preparations of ergotine on ac count of the ready adjustment of its doses, its prompt action, and particularly its keeping qualities. No unpleasant effects observed. Abel (Berl. lain. Woch. No. S, '97; Deut. med.-Zeit., July 29, '97).
Robert believes cornutin to be a true alkaloid and teaches that the chief ac tivity of the drug is dependent upon it and the sphacelinic acid. Tanret, how ever, denies the existence of cornutin as an alkaloid.
Preparations and Dose.—Ergot, 15 to 30 grains.
Extract of ergot (solid extract), 5 to 20 grains.
Extract of ergot (fluid), V, to 1 drachm.
Wine of ergot, 2 to drachms.