American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

ADONIS. Adonis vernalis.
Synonyms—Adonis Apennina, Pheasant's eye.
PREPARATIONS—
Adonidin. Dose, from 1/10 to 1/3 grain.
Fluid Extract of Adonis Vernalis; miscible in water without
material precipitation. Dose, one to two minims.
Specific Medicine Adonis. Dose, from one-fourth of a minim to one
minim. It is usually prescribed: ten drops in four ounces of water, a
teaspoonful every two hours.
Adonidin—The constituents of adonis were studied by Cervello, who
obtained from it only one active substance, which he named "Adonidin."
This substance is extremely energetic and seems to be present only in
small proportion. It is a non-nitrogenous, colorless, odorless and
extremely bitter amorphous powder.
Physiological Action—From a careful clinical and physiological study of
the effects of adonis vernalis, Dr. Budnow concludes that the active
principle excites the inhibitory nerves in the heart at the central end;
that its further action is to paralyze the peripheral end of the vagus; that it
likewise excites the accelerator nerves, sometimes directly (through the
blood pressure), sometimes indirectly; that at the moment of the vagal
paralysis, the two systems of cardiac innervation interfere; that at the
termination of the toxic effect, paralysis of the motor nervous apparatus of
the heart occurs; that after death there. is either complete loss of
excitability or the cardiac muscle is very much weakened.
Durand sums up his observations as follows: In doses of 1 /3 grain
Adonidin increases arterial tension, regulates the heart beat, diminishes
the frequency of the pulse, increases the force of the cardiac
contractions. Acting with rapidity, its effect being present only during
administration increases diuresis, is well tolerated, but increased doses
irritate the stomach.
He commends its use especially in mitral insufficiency and interstitial
myocarditis, and in palpitation of the heart.
Therapy—Adonis is indicated in chronic weak heart where the venous
circulation is engorged, and where there is a tendency to varicosed
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 14