364 Dr. Blyth on the Coinposition of Narcotiiie, 



5127-4 100-00 



More lately M. Liebig has examined the atomic weight and 

 constitution of many of the organic alkalies by a new method 

 proposed by himself*. These bases in most cases form inso- 

 luble double salts with bichloride of platinum, which in their 

 constitution are exactly analogous to the bichloride of plati- 

 num and ammonium ; one equivalent of bichloride of platinum 

 being united to one equivalent of the hydrochlorate of the 

 base. From the quantity of metallic platinum left after com- 

 bustion, the atomic weight can be easily calculated. 



The double salt of platinum and narcotine gave in 100 parts 

 14-508 and 14*64 of metallic platinum. The atomic weights 

 corresponding to these are 5930 and 5780. The formula cal- 

 culated by M. Liebig from these numbers with the analysis 

 formerly made, was €49 H24 N Ojg. 



The following table exhibits the great difference in the 

 composition of narcotine admitted by M. Liebig, Regnault 

 and Pelletier, although the results of the analyses are nearly 

 similar. 



Atomic isoeight found. 

 Liebig. Regnault. Robiquet. 



* Annden der Pharmacie, band xxvi. s. 45. 



