Acts upon the cerebra-spinal system, especially upon the pneumogastric nerve, producing profound paralysis of the cerebro-spinal nerve centers, the reflex motor nerve centers, and of the whole circulatory apparatus, which results in intense congestion and inflammation of the brain and other organs, especially those under the control of the pneumogastric nerve, notably the lungs and stomach. Thus the action of Veratrum will be seen to differ from that of Belladonna and other remedies which produce congestion, by excitation of the nerve centers, rather than by paralysis. On the motor nerves it first produces prostration, but has the power of causing both tonic and clonic spasms, especially the latter, giving rise to a condition similar to chorea. The most essential feature of Veratrum is its depressing influence upon the heart and circulation, it being indicated by a loud, strong beating of the heart, quick pulse, and a very slow respiration. Characteristic symptoms.