D. CHEMISTRY AND METALLURGY. 



73 



with strong alcohol and sulphuric acid of sixty degrees. If 

 the acid in question be present, butyric ether will be imme- 

 diately formed and readily recognized by its smell, which 

 strongly resembles that of the pine-apple. 2 B, Jan. 22, 

 1870,95 



SYNTHESIS OF COXIIX. 



Dr. Schiff is said to have accomplished the first synthesis 

 of a vegetable alkaloid, namely," coniin. The process by which 

 this is effected is too technical for our pages, but the result 

 obtained is stated to be entirely similar in its reaction and 

 physical peculiarities to the natural alkaloid, and to possess 

 like poisonous qualities. 1 C, 1871, iv., 64. 



POTASSIUM IX TOBACCO-SMOKE. 



A spectroscope analysis has, it is said, revealed the pres- 

 ence of potassium- in tobacco-smoke; and as small quantities 

 of potash increase the nervous excitability, while larger quan- 

 tities diminish it, it is suggested that the percentage of this 

 substance in tobacco-smoke may produce, at least in part, the 

 peculiar sensations which are experienced in the cavity of the 

 mouth after long and extreme smoking. 1 C, 1871, iv., 64. 



EESEAECHES UPON TOBACCO-SMOKE. 



Some recent investigations by Doctors Vohl and Eulen- 

 berg upon tobacco -smoke are likely materially to modify 

 existing views in regard to the physiological action of the 

 weed. Their paper is divided into three parts, the first of 

 which treats of the chemical composition of commercial to- 

 bacco for smoking, for chewing, and snuff; the second con- 

 tains the results of an examination of the products generated 

 by the combustion of tobacco during smoking; and the third 

 describes the physiological effects of the bases extracted from 

 tobacco-smoke. 



Commercial tobacco for smoking purposes was invariably 

 found to contain nicotine, amounting sometimes to four per 

 cent, or more, Avhile in tobacco used for chewing and snuff* 

 only minute traces of that alkaloid could be detected, so that 

 nicotine poisoning from chewing or snuffing would appear to 

 be very problematical. The authors state that, as a fact, no 

 such cases are on record. 



D 



