Narcotine

This alkaloid is singularly inappropriately named. It has but feeble narcotic power. In children considerable doses produce a calmative effect and drowsiness, but these results are not observed in adults. Experiments on animals have shown that narcotine is a convulsant. While pigeons are poisoned only by two or three grains of morphine administered subcutaneously, the same quantity of narcotine causes fatal convulsions. The reverse is true in man. Narcotine is allied in action to berberine, and alkaloids of that group, so far as the effects on man are concerned; and to thebaine, picro-toxin, strychnine, and brucine, so far as the effects on animals are concerned.

Cotarnine

By oxidation of narcotine an alkaloid is produced which is known as cotarnine. This combines with acids to form salts. The hydrochloride is known as stypticine, so named because it is possessed of active styptic properties. It occurs in the form of yellowish crystals, freely soluble in water and alcohol. The dose ranges from gr. ss. to gr. iij, or more.

Cotarnine hydrochloride acts on the nervous system of organic life, controlling haemorrhage by contracting the vessels. It also slows the heart and raises the arterial tension, the latter because it stimulates the constrictor fibres of the vessel walls. In its action on the vascular system it resembles hydrastinine, but it seems to be more effective than the latter. According to Gottschalk (Therapeutische Monats-hefte, 1895), it is especially indicated in congestive dysmenorrhoea, for it not only controls the haemorrhage but moderates the suffering. It should be given some days in advance of the flow. It is also used with success in the haemorrhage of subinvolution of the uterus, in fibroid tumors, and in the haemorrhages of the climacteric period. Besides uterine haemorrhage, stypticine should act favorably in pulmonary haemorrhage, secondary to acute hyperaemia of the lungs, in acute congestion of the brain, and in similar states elsewhere. From the physiological standpoint it is indicated in incipient inflammation of organs.

Cotarnine hydrochloride, or stypticine, may be administered in pill form, or in solution, or in combination with agents acting in a similar manner.