Origin. - The dried, ripe seed of Strychnos Nux-vomica L. Yielding when assayed not less than 1.25 per cent. of strychnine.

Nux vomica is a small tree common in many parts of Hindustan, Farther India, some of the East Indies, and in some parts of Australia.

Description and. Properties. - Nux vomica is about 1 inch (25 Mm.) in diameter, orbicular, grayish or greenish-gray; soft-hairy, of a silky luster, with a slight ridge extending from the center of one side to the edge; internally horny, somewhat translucent, very tough, with a large circular cavity, into which the heart-shaped, nerved cotyledons project. It is inodorous and persistently bitter.

Nux vomica contains two important alkaloids - strychnine and brucine, the former being in excess. The seeds also contain igasuric acid, with which these alkaloids are combined. Of total alkaloids the drug should contain from 2.5 to 5 per cent. Strychnine is a quinoline derivative, brucine being closely related. The former is found in from 1/2 to 2 per cent. in the seed, the latter in smaller proportions, but in Strychnos ignatia brucine is found in comparatively large quantities. Strychnine was isolated by Pelletier in 1818, brucine in the following year, and notwithstanding constant research their exact composition is not definitely known. Suffice it for the present to class them with the chinolin alkaloids.

Dose. - 1-5 grains (0.06-0.3 Gm.) [1 grain (0.065 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparations

Extractum Nucis Vomicae - Extracti Nucis Vomicae - Extract of Nux Vomica. - Dose, 1/8-1/2 grain (0.008-0.003 Gm.) [1/4 grain (0.015 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Fluidextractum Nucis Vomicae - Fluidextracti Nucis Vomicae - Fluidex-tractof Nux Vomica. - Dose, 1-5 minims (0.06-0.3 Cc.) [1 minim (0.05 Gm.),U. S. P.].

Tinctura Nucis Vomicae - Tincturae Nucis Vomicae - Tincture of Nux Vomica (0.1 Gm. strychnine in 100 Cc). - Dose, 5-20 minims (0.3-1.2 Cc.) [10 minims (0.6 Cc), U.S. P.].