440. Curara.—Curare. Woorari.

440. CURARA.—CURARE. WOORARI. From Strych'nos castelnaea'na and other species of Strychnos growing in South America, where an extract is prepared by the natives as an arrow-poison. This extract is a blackish, friable solid or of extract-like consistence, having a somewhat resinous appearance, and very hygroscopic. It contains a very bitter and poisonous alkaloid, curarine. As a remedial agent curara has probably little value, although it has been used in tetanus, hydrophobia, epilepsy, and chorea. It is a strong depressant of the motor nerves, causing a gradual loss of muscular power, deepened respiration, and death by asphyxia. Dose: 1/10 to ½ gr. (0.006 to 0.02 Gm.).

Curarine (C₁₈H₃₅N).—From the drug Roulin obtained this principle by a very intricate process. The alkaloid is extremely deliquescent and crystallizes in prisms, soluble in water, and changes litmus feebly.

A Manual of Organic Materia Medica and Pharmacognosy, 1917, was written by Lucius E. Sayre, B.S. Ph. M.