Sparteine sulphate, dose, 1 grain (0.06 gm.), is the sulphate of an alkaloid obtained from Scoparius, or broom. It slows and weakens the heart by stimulating the ganglia on the vagus nerve and by directly depressing the heart muscle; it also slightly stimulates the ganglia of the vasoconstrictor nerves. Sparteine was formerly believed to have a digitalis action, but laboratory experiments prove it to be a decided cardiac depressant.

It may be used to quiet an overacting heart, and on the theory that it depresses the ganglia of bronchoconstrictor nerves may be employed in spasmodic asthma.