(Henbane. )

Origin. - The dried leaves and flowering tops of Hyoscyamus niger L., collected from plants of the second year's growth, and yielding, when assayed, not less than .08 per cent. of mydriatic alkaloids. Henbane is a biennial growing in sandy soil and waste places throughout the greater portion of Europe and Asia, and naturalized in North America.

Description and Properties. - Leaves ovate or obovate-oblong, up to 10 inches (25 Cm.) long and 4 inches (10 Cm.) broad; sinuate-toothed, the teeth large, oblong, or triangular; grayish green, and, particularly'on the lower surface, glandularhairy; midrib prominent; flowers nearly sessile, with an urn-shaped, five-toothed calyx and a light-yellow, purple-veined corolla; odor heavy, narcotic; taste bitter and somewhat acrid.

The active constituents are hyoscyamine and hyoscine (scopolamine), and a very poisonous volatile oil is obtained by distillation of the leaves, which contain also a small percentage of potassium nitrate. It is important to bear in mind that the modern hyoscyamine is distinct from the impure mixture of hyoscine and hyoscyamine previously designated hyoscyamines.

Dose of the Leaves. - 5-15 grains (0.3-1.0 Gm.) [4 grains (.250 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparations

Extractum Hyoscyami - Extracti Hyoscyami - Extract of Hyoscyamus. -

Dose, 1-3 grains (0.06-0.2 Gm.) [1 grain (0.065 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Fluidextractum Hyoscyami - Fluidextracti Hyoscyami - Fluidextract of Hyoscyamus. - Dose, 5-15 minims (0.3-1.0 Cc.) [3 minims (0.2 Cc.), U. S. P.].

Tinctura Hyoscyami - Tinctiirae Hyoscyami - Tincture of Hyoscyamus (10 per cent.). - Dose, 10-60 minims (0.6-4.0 Cc.) [30 minims (2 Cc), U. S. P.].

Hyoscinae Hydrobromidum - Hyoscinae Hydrobromidi - Hyoscine Hydro-bromide (U. S. P.). - Origin. - The hydrobromide of an alkaloid, chemically identical with scopolamine, obtained from hyoscyamus and other plants of the Solanacea.

Description and Properties. - Colorless, transparent, rhombic crystals, odorless, and having an acrid, slightly bitter taste; permanent in the air. Soluble in 1.5 parts of water and in 16 parts of alcohol at 250 C. It should be kept in small, well-stoppered vials.

Dose. - 1/100 - 1/60 grain (0.0006-0.001 Gm.) [1/128 grain (.0005 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Hyoscyamlnae Hydrobromidum - Hyoscyaminae Hydrobromidi - Hyoscyamine Hydrobromide (U. S. P.). - Origin. - The hydrobromide of an alkaloid obtained from hyoscyamus and other plants of the Solanacea.

Description and Properties. - Yellowish-white, amorphous, resin-like masses or prismatic crystals, having, particularly when damp, a tobacco-like odor and an acrid, nauseous, and bitter taste. Deliquescent on exposure to the air; soluble in about 0.3; part of water and 2 parts of alcohol. It should be kept in small, well-stoppered vials.

Dose. - 1/100-1/40 grain (0.0006-0.0015 Gm.) [1/128 grain (.0005 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Hyoscyaminae Sulphas - Hyoscyaminae Sulphatis - Hyoscyamine Sulphate (U. S. P.). - Origin. - The neutral sulphate of an alkaloid obtained from hyoscyamus and other plants of the Solanacea:.

Description and Properties. - White, indistinct crystals or a white powder, without odor, and of a bitter, acrid taste; deliquescent in damp air. Soluble in 0.5 part of water and 6.4 parts of alcohol at 250 C. It should be kept in small, well-stoppered bottles.

Dose. - 1/100-1/40 grain (0.0006-0.0015 Gm.) [1/128 grain (.0005 Gm.), U. S. P.].