veratrine

[ ver-uh-treen, -trin ]

noun

, Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a white or grayish-white, slightly water-soluble, poisonous mixture of alkaloids obtained by extraction from the seeds of sabadilla and the rhizomes of white hellebore: formerly used in medicine as a counterirritant in the treatment of rheumatism and neuralgia.

veratrine

/ ˈvɛrəˌtriːn; ˈvɛrətrɪn /

noun

1. a white poisonous mixture obtained from the seeds of sabadilla, consisting of veratridine and several other alkaloids: formerly used in medicine as a counterirritant

Word History and Origins

Origin of veratrine¹

First recorded in 1815–25; from French, from Latin vērātr(um) “hellebore” + French -ine noun suffix; -ine ²( def 2 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of veratrine¹

C19: from Latin vērātrum hellebore + -ine ²

Example Sentences

Crude “unwhizzed” naphthalene, produced by coke-oven plants, affords the most effective base, and may be conveniently mixed into paste form by the addition of soft soap or some grease, such as vaseline, in the proportion of 10 to 20 per cent … When it is necessary to use an anti-lice preparation on a hair-clad surface the use of vaseline, to which has been added ½ per cent. of veratrine dissolved in 5 per cent. of benzene, may be recommended.

From Nature

Hellebore�n exercises on the heart an action similar to that of digitalis, but more powerful, accompanied by at first quickened and then slow and laboured respiration; it irritates the conjunctiva, and acts as a sternutatory, but less violently than veratrine.

From Project Gutenberg

The tincture is prepared from the dried rhizome and rootlets of green hellebore, containing the alkaloids jervine, veratrine and veratroidine.

From Project Gutenberg

Oculist said weakness was the disease, and rest the remedy—oculist recommended veratrine ointment, frequent refreshing of eyes with wet cloth, cleared his throat every minute, and was an old humbug.

From Project Gutenberg

Far more useful, in neuralgias generally, is the external application of aconite or of veratrine.

From Project Gutenberg