(Not official.) - C30H46O12=569.62. A glucoside isolated from the root of a tree, said to be the Acocanthera Ouabaio (nat. ord. Apoey-naceie.) This glucoside is also obtained from the seeds of Strophanthus glabrus.

Habitat

Africa.

Characters

A white crystalline powder slightly bitter.

Solubility

Soluble in hot, but with difficulty in cold water; insoluble in Chloroform and Ether.

Dose, 1/300 gr.; . 00013 gm.

Action And Uses Of Ouabain

Ouabain paralyzes cardiac muscle by direct action, and when given hypodermatically is an emetic. According to Gley it is a local anaesthetic, having ten times the power of cocaine. It has also been recommended for all stages of whooping-cough in doses of 1/1000 gr.; .00006 gm., for children. As it is a very powerful drug, 1/65 gr.; .001 gm., when taken into the blood, being sufficient to kill a man, it should be used with great caution.

D. The following stimulates the secretory nerves.