DERIVATION.--The hydrochloride of an artificial alkaloid, obtained by
heating morphine or codeine in hermetically closed tubes with an excess
of pure hydrochloric acid.
PROPERTIES.--Minute, grayish-white, shining monoclinic prisms, without
odor, having a faintly bitter taste and acquiring a greenish tint upon
exposure to light and air. It should be kept in small, dark,
amber-colored vials. Soluble in water, alcohol, ether and chloroform.
DOSE.--As an emetic for dogs, ¹⁄₈ to ¹⁄₅ gr., by the mouth, and ¹⁄₂₀ to
¹⁄₁₀ gr., subcutaneously.
DOSE.--As an expectorant, subcutaneously, horses, ³⁄₄ gr.; foals, ¹⁄₂
gr.; cattle, 1¹⁄₂ gr.; sheep and calves, ¹⁄₂ gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₁₀ to ¹⁄₅ gr.
By the mouth, dogs, ¹⁄₄₀ to ¹⁄₂₅ gr. as an expectorant.
ACTION AND USES.--It is a prompt and effectual emetic in animals that
vomit, acting on the vomiting centers. When ¹⁄₅ gr. dissolved in water
is swallowed by either man or dog repeated vomiting occurs, but is not
followed by so much nausea as usually follows the use of tartar emetic.
Increases bronchial, intestinal and pancreatic secretions. Chronic dry
bronchitis of dogs is benefited by apomorphine. In pica cattle, 1¹⁄₂
gr. may be given on three consecutive days, or in recent cases, 3 gr.
are given subcutaneously in the same way. It relieves choking in animals
by its relaxing spasm and increasing secretion of the gullet.
Three-quarters of a grain may be injected under the skin in horses. It
should be tried before using a probang, as, if successful, it will act
within fifteen or twenty minutes. The alkaloid decomposes in crystal and
rapidly in solution, becoming toxic and of a green hue. Solutions should
be freshly prepared.