Physostigma

(fi-so-stig’mah) [Gr. yioa bellows + στίγμα stigma]. A genus of tropical leguminous plants. The poisonous seed of P. veneno’sum, Calabar bean, a climbing plant of Africa, contains the alkaloids physostigmin and cal a bar in. Physostigma is a motor depre ant, miotic, and antispasmodic, in large doses producing death by paralysis of respiration. It is employed in tetanus, trismus, and other spasmodic affections; as an expectorant in bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema, and as a stimulant in atonic constipation and dilatation of the stomach. Dose of extract, ἐ - gr. (0.004-0.01 gm.); of fluidextract, 1-3 min. (0.060- 0.2 c.c.); of tincture, 5-15 min. (0.333-1 ¢.c.).