1020 ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA. , ^

{tannate of emeiina). Sesquichloride of iron communicatestint ( tannate [ gallate, Pelletier] of iron) to the decoction as w a fj e fthe diluted tincture. A solution of isinglass forms in the infus ® 11 ’twelve hours, a precipitate (tannate of gelatine). Alcohol rent a0( jdecoction turhid {gum). Diacetate of lead forms with the tinct® >especially with the decoction, a precipitate ( colouring matter, S u ’oxide of lead). H j ia be

Physiological Effects. —If the powder or dust of ipecacua ^applied to the eyes or face, it acts as an irritant, and causes redn -swelling of these parts. Inhaled, it irritates the respiratory P as ^ a yand, in some persons, brings on difficulty of breathing, simi*attack of spasmodic asthma (Scott, Phil. Trans, for 1776, p- ' j ve dRoberts, surgeon, at Dudley, is affected in this way ; and I have ro0l nfrom him the following account of his case :—“ If I remain m ^.jngwhere the preparation of ipecacuanha is going on—for instance,the pulv. ipecac, comp.—1 am sure to have a regular attack of ^_j t bIn a few seconds dyspncea comes on in a violent degree, atteim 1 ' c kwheezing and great weight and anxiety about the pnecordia. 1“ -gusgenerally remains about an hour, but I obtain no relief until a cexpectoration takes place, which is invariably the case. After the ‘is over I suffer no further inconvenience. I have always consider a j.the attack proceeds from the minute particles of the ipecacuanh jjeing in the atmosphere, acting as an irritant on the mucous nien ' o j oll tlining the trachea and bronchial tubes.” In some cases the ®® re ^of the root seems sufficient to excite difficulty of breathing, withing of suffocation. . , i a tioi*

There is one case recorded of poisoning by the incautious mu j^g-of the dust of ipecacuanha, in the process of powdering it, by a ^ x d.gist’s assistant. It is mentioned by Dr. Prieger {Rust's Mag • b - oU gh>H. i. S. 182). The patient, who was suffering with catarrh an glice ofinhaled, during three hours, the dust from the root; in conseqn ^ oll fwhich vomiting came on, followed by a tightness at the chest. * 0 fafter this he complained of a sense of suffocation, and constri ph)"the trachea and throat: his appearance w'as pale and deathly. 1 jo® 111sician who was called in, bled him, and gave assafcetida and riitbtb?with temporary relief; but m five hours a fresh attack came on, irS i,most imminent danger of suffocation. A strong decoction of u ' ,j a towitli the extract of rhatany, was administered with almost i® 1 ^ torelief, and in an hour his breathing was much freer. He ' va ? wy ofleave the house in two days, but suffered several days with dimbreathing. . jj v di"

When taken in small and repeated doses, ipecacuanha princip a ^ ieS t,rects its influence to the secreting organs, especially those of the nl .whose activity it promotes. It specifically affects the bronchi j 0ll ,

brane, in some morbid conditions of which it promotes expec ^ a

while in others, attended with a profuse secretion of phiegm, it f^beneficial influence, and often contributes to the restoration 0 „ BPi . wit 1 !to its normal condition. In somewhat larger doses it creates nan ^dits concomitant phenomena, depression, increased secretion of sa 1 ^ abuccal mucus, &c. If a diaphoretic regimen be adopted, it ®\ geS itpowerfully relaxing influence over the skin. In full medicina ^occasions vomiting, followed by a tendency to sleep. Its opera ®