THE HISTORY OF STRYCHNINE
An alkaloid molecule, which is discovered in the seed of the plant Nux Vomica and some other associated species, is referred to as strychnine. This plant can be found in Australia, India and Sri Lanka.
Nux vomica (unpurified plant extract which has strychnine) was used for criminal as well as medical purposes long before Strychnine was found in the year 1818 (Motion, 2000).
It is true that strychnine had some medical benefits in the past but in the majority of the cases this was a mistake.
Moreover, it was not so harmful also.
The gastric secretion and salivary secretion will be powerfully stimulated because of the bitter taste of strychnine. Strychnine was said to enhance the appetite of a person and as such it was used to work against loss of appetite caused by some ailment. This made the people believe that strychnine had properties that can heal. Actually, the harmful effects of strychnine prevailed over the improvement in the appetite of the patient. As a result, the ailment, which the person has, will not be cured. You can compare this as the same system, which provides tonic water its obvious ‘tonic’ action, but this bitter agent is less harmful as it is quinine.
In the early 19th century, strychnine started to become obtainable without much difficulty from apothecaries in Britain. It became known for its tonic part and poison very rapidly.
| 
