strophanthin (stro-fan'thin)

An intensely bitter glucosid obtained from Strop hant us, which has a digitalis action. The U. S. Ph. recognizes only that obtained from Strophanthus Kombe, but the s. of commerce is obtained largely from other species of Strophanthus. S. is freely soluble in water and may be used intravenously, or intramuscularly, but the subcutaneous injection of it is quite painful. It is much le active when given by the mouth than when injected by either the veins or the muscles. The oral dose for man has never been determined with any degree of precision, crystalline s. A name applied to ouabain, grat us S. A name applied to ouabain or to crystalline s. obtained from s. grat us. Also written g.-strophanthin.