From the physiological relation of the peyote alkaloids to strychnine
and morphine, considerable enthusiasm was early shown about their
pharmacodynamics and possible therapeutic uses. Jolly[31] in 1896
experimented on pellotine [= peyotline] as a hypnotic and soporific,
for when used in small doses in man the fall of the pulse initially
is accompanied by sleepiness. Heffter[32] likewise reports a marked
heaviness of limbs and eyelids. Loaeza,[33] apparently using pan-peyotl
preparations, maintained that peyote and _Cereus serpentinus_ (organillo)
had value as tonics or cardiac regulators, but variable action and
individual idiosyncrasy is marked. Henry[34] says the therapeutic dose
of pellotine is one-third to two-thirds of a grain, but that it is only
“slightly narcotic.” The high toxicity of lophophorine discourages its
therapeutic use. Rouhier[35] wrote in 1926 that “properly speaking,
therapeusis by peyote does not yet exist. Although the drug was
introduced in the American pharmaceutical market[36] for twenty years,
from which it has since disappeared, it is still unknown to the great
medical public.” On the whole, however, the therapeutic possibilities of
_Lophophora_ seem unimpressive.[37]