MUSCARIN.
An “alkaloid” from Agaricus muscarius, L.
Authority.
S. Ringer, M.D., Lancet, 1877
(2), p. 198, thirteen experiments on four men, seven, three, two, and
one each respectively; 1/3 of a grain given hypodermically.
EYE.
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Lachrymation occurred in eight cases, amounting in some instances only
to suffusion of the eyes, but generally the tears trickled down the
face, so that the patient was obliged to wipe the eyes. It began in six
to ten minutes, and lasted generally about twenty to thirty minutes. In
each case the pupils became contracted, often considerably; the
contraction beginning in about fifteen-minutes. The vision seemed
unaffected.
MOUTH.
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Salivation was not so constant as perspiration; moreover, the saliva
varied in quantity more than the perspiration. Salivation occurred in
eleven experiments, and was absent in four. In three it was slight, in
the rest free or profuse. It began in from two to fifteen minutes, and
lasted from twenty to eighty minutes.
STOMACH.
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In three experiments on one man with the larger doses, the drug induced
vomiting once and once nausea.
STOOL.
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In the cases in which it purged, the injection took effect in from ten
to twenty minutes. In two experiments the drug excited an inclination to
pass a motion. In four experiments on the same man it produced a loose
motion, one of a green color, though his bowels were opened naturally a
short time previously.
URINARY ORGANS.
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In five experiments the patients were obliged to pass urine in from nine
to fifteen minutes, and two complained of supra-pubic pain.
RESPIRATORY ORGANS.
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In five it produced a frequent hacking cough.
PULSE.
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In one of our four men the pulse was always very quick, in the other
three it was natural. The effect on the normal frequency was nil, though
in one man it reduced the frequency ten to sixteen beats.
FEVER.
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Sweating occurred in eleven of the thirteen experiments. 1/2 a grain
made it free, whilst larger doses, as 3/4 of a grain and a grain,
rendered it very abundant; indeed, it was sometimes as free as the
perspiration excited by a 1/3 to a 1/2 grain of Pilocarpin. The
perspiration stood in large drops on the face after the larger doses,
the nightdress became soaked, and the skin felt sodden. Perspiration
began in from three to fifteen minutes, occurring earliest after the
larger doses. It lasted from half an hour to an hour and a half. On
testing the reaction of the sweat in six experiments, we found it
neutral in four and alkaline in two.® 2000
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