July, 1918 ' C. U. C. P. ALUMNI JOURNAL 113 



After titrating the latter the solution was made alkaline with ammonia water, com- 

 pletely shaken out with chloroform, the latter evaporated and the residue taken 

 up with 15 mils of 3% sulphuric acid. This solution was now treated with nitric 

 acid to destroy the brucine and the assay completed as described in the U. S. P. 

 MIL for the determination of strychnine. This data so obtained gave the total 

 alkaloidal content, the percentage of brucine and that of strychnine in Nux Vom- 

 ica, it being taken for granted that the other alkaloids present appear in so small 

 :i quantity as to justify their not being considered. The results obtained were as 

 follows : — 



Powdered Nux Vomica: U. S. P. VIII = 1.25% strychnine 



U. S. P. IX = 2.5% total alkaloids 



Comr.l» Total alkaloid Strychnine Brucine 



sample Method U.S.P IX Method U.S. P. VIII by difference 



A 2.64 .88 1.76 



B 2.93 1.32 1.61 



C 2.52 .73 1.79 



D . 1.92 .73 1.19 



E 2.97 1.54 1.43 



F 3.21 1.25 1.96 



G 2.71 1.30 1.41 



H 3.53 1.30 2.23 



I 2.38 1.26 1.12 



A number of interesting points may be obtained by studying these results. 

 Of the nine samples all but two would come up to the requirements of the U.S. 

 P. IX while three would not meet those of the U. S. P. VIII. Samples A and C 

 would pass U. S. P. IX but not U. S.-P. VIII. Sample D would pass neither the 

 old nor the new requirements, while sample I would pass U. S. P. VTII and not 

 IX. There therefore seems to be absolutely no relation between the percentage 

 of total alkaloid and that of strychnine. The percentage of strychnine in the 

 total alkaloid varies from 33 to 53%. 



Samples of fluidextract and tincture of Nux Vomica were now taken at 

 landom and assayed in similar manner as before described, first in accordance 

 with the U. S. P. IX to determine total alkaloid after titration was shaken out 

 with chloroform and the strychnine determined according to U. S, P. VIII with 

 the following results : 



Fluid Extract: U. S. P. VIII = 1% strychnine 



U. S. P. IX = 2.37 to 2.63% total alkaloids 



«;jitnnl» Total alkaloid Strychnine Brucine 



^**™'^'^ Method U.S.P. IX Method U.S.P. VIII by difference 



A 2.46% .79% 1.67% 



B 2 64 1.27 1.37 



C 2.51 1.03 1.48 



D 2.39 .91 1.48 



E 2.41 1.21 1.20 



F 2.48 .77 1.71 



