4 definitions found for strychnia

Strychnia STRYCHNIA, n. An alkaline substance obtained from the fruit of the Strychnos nux vomica, and Strychnos ignatia. It is a white substance, crystalized in very small four sided prisms, and intolerably bitter. It acts upon the stomach with violent energy, inducing locked jaw and destroying life.

Strychnia Strych"ni*a, n. [NL. See Strychnine.] (Chem.) Strychnine.

Strychnine Strych"nine, n. [L. strychnos a kind of nightshade, Gr. ?: cf. F. strychnine.] (Chem.) A very poisonous alkaloid resembling brucine, obtained from various species of plants, especially from species of Loganiace[ae], as from the seeds of the St. Ignatius bean (Strychnos Ignatia) and from nux vomica. It is obtained as a white crystalline substance, having a very bitter acrid taste, and is employed in medicine (chiefly in the form of the sulphate) as a powerful neurotic stimulant. Called also strychnia, and formerly strychnina.

strychnia n. Strychnine.