Physostigma

{fi-so-stigf-mali) [proa, air; arn/u.a, stigma]. Calabar bean; or deal nut. The seed of Physostigma venenosum, of the natural order Leg urn i no sese, which is used by the natives of Africa as an ordeal-poison. It contains two alkaloids — eserin or physostigmin, and cal a bar in. It acts as a general depre ant, producing motor paralysis and in poisonous doses causing death by paralysis of the respiration. It is a miotic, and in small doses stimulates the heart and intestinal peristalsis. In medicine it is employed as a motor depre ant in tetanus and other spasms: as a stimulant in intestinal atony and dilatation, in asthma and emphysema. Preparations: Extractum physostigmatis (U. S. P., B. P.). Dose gr. yi-% (0.00S-0.016). Tinctura physostigmatis (U. S. P.). Dose rr^v-xx (0.32-1.3). 498