Definition. - An alkaloid obtained from Atropa Belladonna and from other plants of the same family.

Description and Properties. - White acicular crystals, or a more or less amorphous white powder, odorless, having a bitter, acrid taste, gradually assuming a yellowish tint on exposure to air. As it occurs in commerce, it is usually accompanied by a small amount of hyoscyamine. Soluble in 130 parts of water, 3 parts of alcohol, 16 parts of ether, 4 parts of chloroform, and about 50 parts of glycerin.

Dose. - 1/120 - 1/40 grain (0.0005-0.0016 Gm.) [1/160 grain (0.0004 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparations

Atropinae Stilphas - Atropinae Sulphatis - Atropine Sulphate. U. S. P. -Description and Properties. - A white, indistinctly crystalline powder, odorless, having a very bitter, nauseating taste, permanent in air. Soluble in 0.4 part of water, 6.2 parts of alcohol, 2270 parts of ether, and 694 parts of chloroform. It is usually mingled with a small amount of hyoscyamine sulphate.

Dose. - 1/120 - 1/40 grain (0.0005-0.0016 Gm.) [1/160 grain (0.0004 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Oleatum Atropinae - Oleati Atropinal - Oleate of Atropine, U. S. P. - Containing 2 per cent. of atropine.