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2. German Retrospect

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2018

W. W. Ireland*
Affiliation:
Duboisin a New Sedative

Extract

Dr. Nicholas Ostermayer, of Budapest, published in the “Allgemeine Zeitschrift” (xlvii. Band, p. 278) some experiments on the sedative and hypnotic properties of atropin and duboisin. Like atropin and hyoscyamin it belongs to the class of drugs which dilate the pupil, mydriatica. It comes from the sap of the duboisia myoporoides, a bush or small tree growing in Australia. The natives are aware of its stupefying properties, and put it in ponds to intoxicate the eels and make them rise to the surface. Gerrard discovered the alkaloid in 1878. Duquesnel showed how to crystallise it in 1880. It is a brownish substance, sparingly soluble in water, but readily dissolved in alcohol, ether, or chloroform. It has a close resemblance to hyoscyamin. Ostermayer found that 1 milligramme of duboisin given in two separate doses to a man in two hours induced drowsiness, delirium starting in the limbs, hallucinations of vision, and increased rapidity of the pulse and respirations.

Type
Part III.—Psychological Retrospect
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1894 

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