Reserpine in the Treatment of Hypertension

Abstract

RECENTLY, Rauwolfia serpentina was introduced into this country for the treatment of hypertension.^{1 2 3} This stimulated renewed chemical and pharmacologic studies on the drug, which had been known and used in India for many years. Reserpine, a pure alkaloid, was isolated and shown to have in animals the sedative and hypotensive effects characteristic of the crude drug.⁴ This alkaloid was then tried in hypertensive patients and found to have actions that were clinically similar to those of the crude drug.^{5 , 6} The purpose of the present paper is to report further observations on Reserpine,^** especially of its dosage and clinical effects in . . .