Brucinum
Brucine (alkaloid) · Plant · Loganiaceae
Brucinum suits cases with sudden jerking convulsions spreading from the lower extremities upward, distinguished from strychnine poisoning by the absence of trismus and pharyngeal involvement. The convulsive attacks end with a short fever followed by deep sleep.
Key symptoms
- Sudden jerking especially of lower extremities, spreading generally
- Convulsions without trismus or tetanus
- Twitching in both paralysed and healthy muscles
- Short-duration fever ending the convulsive attacks
- Deep sleep following the fever
Brucine. An alkaloid obtained from the bark and seeds of Strychnos nux vomica. C23 H26 N2O4.
Clinical
Headache. Paralysis.
Characteristics
Lepelletier has recorded the following effects of 0.02 to 0.90 of a gramme of Brucinum. Sudden jerking, especially of lower extremities, spreading generally but not accompanied by trismus and tetanus, and not extending to Œsophagus and pharynx as with Strychnia. Twitching in the paralysed as well as healthy muscles. A fever of short duration ends the attacks; after which deep sleep comes on.
Classical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
