The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Strychnine is a poison with several medicinal effects. It is most commonly used as a poison for small mammals. Strychnine has the chemical formula C21H22N2O2 and it is the principal alkaloid found in the seeds from plants in the Strychnos family, including Strychnos nux- vomica (Quaker buttons or poison nut). Strychnine can account for 5% of the weight of the nuts of this tree, which is a native of Indian and Malaysia. When concentrated it can be crystalized out into colorless prisms with a melting point of 520oF (270oC). Strychnine has a stimulatory effect on all parts of the nervous system and in large doses it can produce convulsions and death. The senses are made more acute and blood pressure increases whilst the heart rate decreases, it can be effectively used for heart failure. Strychnine is used as a poison for rats and other vermin, it is particularly effective in this role due to the rapidity with which it is absorbed.
Strychnine is odorless but it has a very bitter taste. Medicinally it has been used to cure constipation, to stimulate the appetite, and in cases of heart failure.