256 0)1 the Constitution of Beheerine. 



Pt CI4 '2118-30 6330-20 1 atom platinum salt 

 HCl 455-13 2573-4.3 1 atom PtCl4+HCl 



2573'4!3 3756-77 atomic weight of bebeerine 



which is a close approximation to the found numbers. The 

 rational formula for bebeerine then is 



It appears to have been sufficiently established by the ex- 

 perience of medical practitioners, that bebeerine possesses 

 marked properties as a remedy for periodic diseases (Mac- 

 lagan, Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, April 1845). 



On comparing its composition with that of other vegetable 

 alkalies possessed of similar remedial powers, such as quinine 

 and cinchonine, it is not a little remarkable that it differs 

 from them in atomic constitution, and that it is isomeric with 

 morphia which acts as a pure narcotic. The atomic consti- 

 tution of morphia, calculated from the formulae deduced by 

 Liebig and Regnault from their analyses, agrees perfectly with 

 that given above for bebeerine. The composition of the two 

 bases is, in fact, identical. 



This is the first instance of isomerism occurring in sub- 

 stances belonging to the class of organic bases. 



One very interesting conclusion regarding the action of 

 medicinal substances appears to be deducible from these re- 

 sults, that similarity of physiological properties does not de- 

 pend upon similarity in the proportions of their constituents. 

 It seems probable that the mode in which their atoms are 

 grouped has an important share in modifying their physiolo- 

 gical actions ; for in the present instance we have the same 

 number of atoms both in morphia and bebeerine, but in the 

 one producing a white crystalline body of narcotic qualities, 

 in the other a yellow amorphous resinous-looking substance, 

 acting as an anti-periodic. The difference in their physical 

 properties in fact proves that their elements are differently ar- 

 ranged. 



We have not been enabled to examine sipeerine, the sub- 

 stance left behind when pure bebeerine is dissolved out by 

 means of aether. It occurs in very minute quantity, and re- 

 quires a very tedious repetition of the treatment with aether 

 to free it from the last traces of bebeerine. There seems, 

 from some trials which we have made, good ground for be- 

 lieving that it is a distinct alkali, but it has not been obtained 

 in sufficient quantity to enable it to be subjected to ultimate 

 analysis. 



