SEA MUSSEL MYTILUS EDUUS. 233 



gradually precipitated with phosphomolybdic acid. The first precipitate which comes 

 down contains albumin bodies and color substances, while that which is precipitated 

 later contains the mytilotoxin. This latter precipitate is dissolved in a solution of lead 

 acetate, slightly warmed and filtered. The filtrate is treated with hydrogen sulphide 

 to remove the lead and then evaporated after adding some hydrochloric acid. The resi- 

 due is dissolved in alcohol and reprecipitated with platinic chloride. The filtrate then 

 contains the mytilotoxin which may be precipitated by means of gold chloride after 

 first removing the platinum with hydrogen sulphide. 



The mytilotoxin forms a double gold salt which crystallizes into minute cubes 

 having the composition C 6 H 18 N0 2 AuCl 4 . They have a melting point of 182 C. With 

 the ordinary alkaloid reagents mytilotoxin gives oily precipitates only. It was further 

 found that when the hydrochloric mytilotoxin is distilled with potassium hydroxide 

 trimethyl amine N(CH 3 ) 3 is produced. Brieger therefore says that mytilotoxin is a 

 quaternary base and its power to paralyze the motor apparatus is no longer surprising 

 since it has been demonstrated by Glause and Luchsinger (1884) that all trimethylam- 

 monium bases produce muscarin effects. 



If the hydrochloric acid extract of poisonous mussels is boiled with some sodium 

 hydroxide a nauseous odor is liberated. Brieger recommends therefore that this method 

 be used as a test for mussels which may be under suspicion. 



In addition to the mytilotoxin Brieger found several other substances of a basic 

 nature, some of which are poisons. Among these is the nonpoisonous betain — oxyneurin, 

 trimethylglycin, (CH 3 ) 3 . NOH. CH,. CO,H. The mytilotoxin may arise from the 

 betain by introducing the radical CH 3 , which may be represented by the following 

 formula: (CH 3 ) 3 . NOH. CH( 3 ). CCXH. This relationship, however, is not at all clear. 



In support of the above observations, Cameron (1890), in attempting to extract an 

 alkaloid from some poisonous mussels which came under his observation, clearly proved 

 the presence of a leucomaine which was obtained in crystals visible under the microscope. 

 These crystals corresponded to those described by Brieger and were considered as iden- 

 tical with them. 



On the other hand, Thesen (1902), who investigated a large number of poisonous 

 mussels from the haven of Christiania, was unable by the Brieger method to identify 

 the poison with that of Brieger's mytilotoxin. Griffiths (1890), who studied a case of 

 mussel poisoning at Dublin, Ireland, states that the effects were undoubtedly due to 

 the action of alkaloids (ptomaines) which were developed by the action of microbes in 

 the muscles of the shellfish. The poisonous compounds formed, he says, are all members 

 of the pyridine and hydropiridine organic bases. We are therefore still uninformed as 

 to the exact nature of the mussel poison, and further research on this subject should be 

 encouraged. 



Jourdain (1891) believes that mytilotoxin is always present in Mytilus and that 

 other ptomaines are always present in other shellfish, such as the oyster, which often 

 causes poisoning of a serious nature. The quantities of these toxines present, however, 

 is rarely ever sufficient to be injurious. 



Mytilocongestine is a toxic substance which has been extracted from the bodies of 

 Mytilus edulis by Richet ( 1 907, 1 907a) . It is analagous to the congestine which he obtained 

 from the bodies of Actinians, and was therefore given the name of mytilocongestine. 

 It is prepared by grinding up frozen mussels with sand and water; the product is filtered 



