SUBCUTANEOUSLY. — Bonjean's ergo tine (Fr. Cod.) and Squibb's ergotine are especially prepared for hypodermic use, 5 parts being dissolved in 7 parts each of glycerin and water and then fil tered, 3 to 12 grains (representing 120 grains of crude ergot) of the ergotine being the proper dose.
Physiological Action.—In very small doses no appreciable effects are produced except in labor. In therapeutic doses its principal action is upon unstriped mus cular fibre, producing a contraction of the blood-vessels, especially those of the spinal cord, dilatation of the pupils, and contraction of the uterus.
As it is a powerful stimulant of the vasomotor nerve-centres, it causes tonic spasm of the muscular coats of the blood vessels accompanied by a rise of arterial pressure and a slowing of the heart-beat. This rise of arterial tension is preceded by a fall which is due to the depressant action of the drug in direct contact with the heart-muscle, and, if the dose be very large, the fall of pressure is never re covered from and progressive paralysis of the vasomotor apparatus and heart oc curs (Hare). Hemmeter believes that the uterine contractions produced by er got are produced by stimulating the centres in the lumbar portion of the spinal cord which control this viscus. It has heretofore been accepted that the contraction was due to its direct action upon the unstriped muscular fibres of the organ. Both theories are probably true.
Ergot produces no vascular contrac tions, but acts directly on the peripheral uterine ganglia. It has no direct action upon the blood-pressure, and must, therefore, have a specific action on the blood, which is thus more readily clotted at susceptible points in the vascular sys tem. Ellinger (Sanitary Inspector, July
4, '91), Under full doses of ergot the respira tory movements are slowed, intestinal peristalsis is stimulated, and the secre tion of urine is increased. The toxic effects, in man, are seldom produced save by large and long-continued doses.
The action of ergot usually begins within fifteen minutes after its ingestion, and attains its maximum intensity in thirty minutes. Its effects last for an hour, when the dose must be repeated if its continued action is desired.
Poisoning by Ergot (Ergotism; Acute Poisoning),—Very large doses of ergot produce symptoms of gastrointestinal and cerebrospinal origin. When taken by mouth ergot produces a heat and dry ness of the throat, thirst; gastric pain, with nausea or vomiting; intestinal colic and diarrhoea, giddiness, headache, rest lessness and even delirium, coldness of the surface of the body, dilatation of the pupils, and a great retardation and slight weakness of the pulse.
Case of a man who had difficulty in breathing in the morning. The pupils were dilated, and the power of accom modation almost completely lost. It was then found that he had been taking extract of ergot. The patient was, therefore, given a vigorous diet, the ergot stopped, and be soon recovered. Schneider (Miinchener med. Wochen., Sept. 30, 1902).