(Non-official.)

Origin. - The stems and flowers of Cactus grandifloms L., a plant indigenous in tropical America and frequently cultivated for ornament.

Preparations

Fluidextractum Cacti - Fluidextracti Cacti - Fluidextract of Cactus. - Dose, 5-10 minims (0.3-0.6 Cc).

Tinctiira Cacti - Tinctiirae Cacti - Tincture of Cactus. - Dose, 15-20 minims (1.0-1.2 Cc).

Physiological Action and Therapeutics. - Cactus differs from digitalis in its less disturbing influence upon the digestive apparatus. Its action upon the circulation is to elevate arterial pressure, render the pulse more regular, and increase the strength and rapidity of the heart's action when given in medicinal doses. Toxic doses, on the contrary, diminish both the blood-pressure and the pulse-rate, rendering the heart irregular in its action and arresting it in systole. Moreover, the reflexes are increased by poisonous doses, death being preceded by clonic and tetanic convulsions of spinal origin.

Cactus helps to steady the distended heart, especially when there is a neurotic element, and is of particular service in relieving precordial distress of myopathic origin. It is useful in functional irregularity of the heart however evidenced. In "tobacco heart," cardiac arrhythmia and palpitation of neurasthenia, and the distressing palpitation from reflex irritation in dyspepsia, cactus is a valuable remedy. In organic disease of the heart cactus, if less generally applicable, is none the less valuable, for it seems to afford the greatest service just where digitalis and strophanthus fail.