116 THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 



CHLORALAMIDE. 



In answer to a recent request by one of our readers who has 

 not as yet entered college, we herewith present a short abstract on 

 Chloralamide, from the National Dispensatory (1905), page 405. 



Chloralformamidum, U. S. — Chloralformamide, Chloralum for- 

 mamidatum. P. G. — Chloralamide. E ; — 



Formula, CCla CH (OH) NH (HCO) Mol. weight 190.96. 



A crystalline solid made by the direct union of formamide and 

 anhydrous chloral. It should be kept in amber colored, well 

 stoppered vials. — U. S. 



Preparation — 147 parts of anhydrous chloral (CCls COH) and 

 45 parts formamide (CHONH2) are intimately mixed at ordinary 

 temperatures and the mass allowed to crystallize, after which it is 

 purified by recrystallizing from water or 30% alcohol, care being 

 taken not to heat it above 60° C. (140° F). 



It occurs as colorless, lustrous crystals without odor, and hav- 

 ing a somewhat bitter taste, soluble in 18.7 parts of water and 1.3 

 parts alcohol at 25° C. readily soluble in glycerine, ether, acetone, 

 and acetic ether. When heated to 60° C. (140° F.) with water 

 it is decomposed into its component parts, chloral and formamide. 

 When heated to 140° C. it melts, but at a higher temperature it is 

 decomposed. 



It is not affected by diluted acids, but is decomposed on warm- 

 ing with alkali hydrates, the solution first becoming turbid, then 

 clear, while chloroform separates. 



The name Chloralamid, under which this compound was first 

 introduced, is a misnomer, but is still used commercially. It is 

 easily confounded with chloralimide CCls CHNH, a product ob- 

 tained by the action of heat on chloral-ammonium, which is in- 

 soluble in water. 



Uses. — It is purely a hypnotic, and may be employed for the 

 relief of hysteria and insomnia which is not accompanied by 

 pain. It is somewhat slower and less certain in its action than 

 Chloral, but its effects are practically the same. 



The ordinary dose is from 20 to 40 grains and may be given in 

 capsules, or in aqueous or alcoholic solutions. 



The drug is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and intestines, 

 and is eliminated by the kidneys as urochloralic acid. 



Poisonous doses are said to depress the heart muscle, the motor 

 side of the cord, motor nerve trunks and muscles. 



