268 M. Brandes on Atropium. [April, 



lysis not only to ascertain the composition of this salt, but also to 

 obtain additional evidence as to its great saturating power. 



(A.) Three grains of muriate of atropium, when dried at such 

 a temperature that no decomposition of the alkali could take 

 place, lost nearly l-yV^h gr. 



(B.) Three grains of the same salt were dissolved in water, 

 and the atropium thrown down by ammonia. After repeated 

 washing with small quantities of water, it was collected on a 

 filter, which, after being dried carefully, showed an increase of 

 weight of nearly 1-j^th gr. which were atropium. 



Tne composition of this salt is, therefore, 



Atropium 39-19 



Muriatic acid 25-40 



Water 35-41 



100-00 



Atropium and Phosphoric Acid. — Atropium, when dissolved 

 in a great quantity of phosphoric acid, and evaporated, forms a 

 mass like gum, which attracts the moisture of atmospheric air, 

 and deliquesces. If less phosphoric acid is used, the solution, 

 after spontaneous evaporation, yields some quadrangular prisms, 

 which salt is readily soluble in water, and is Hkewise readily- 

 dissolved by alcohol. 



On other Sales oj Atropium. — Nitric, acetic, and oxalic acid 

 dissolve atropium, and form acicular salts, all soluble in water 

 and alcohol. The acetate and nitrate of atropium are hygrome- 

 tric. All are decomposed by the alkalies and by their carbo- 

 nates. 



Nitric acid acts much less powerfully on atropium than on 

 strychnium, according to Pelletier and Caventou. 



Observations on the Equivalents oJ' Atropium.— ^l have showa 

 that sulphate of atropium is composed of 



Atropium 38-93 



Sulphuric acid 36-52 



Water 24-55 



100-00 

 and that muriate of atropium consists of 



Atropium 39-19 



Muriatic acid 25-40 



Water 35-41 



100-00 



If we admit that in the alkalies from plants, the same laws 

 exist as are ascertained with respect to those from inorganic 

 bodies, we shall be better able to find their equivalent number, 

 as 1 have shown in my analysis of sulphate of morphium. The 



