T r u e and H u n k e 1 , The Poisonons Effect Exerted etc. 



397 



pei" liter 



In reviewing the foregoing, wo lind, as far as our knowledge 

 of the dissociation ot" the pheiiylic Compounds perniits ns to draw 

 conckisions, that, except in isohited instances, clcctiolytie disso- 

 ciation plays but a very subordinate roh' in detcnnining tlie toxic 

 properties of the substances. Picric and salicylic acids strongly 

 dissociate and become powerfully poisonous by virtue of the H 

 ions, in great measure. Pyrogallol and probably mctliyl salicylate tirst 

 undergo other niolecular chnnges, after whicli their products disso- 

 ciate electrolytically. Ilere the H ions ni;iy account for nuich of 

 the toxic action. In the cresols and mono-nitrophenols, elcctro- 

 lytic dissociation seems to exert a pronounced inHuence. Sonic 

 phenols are comparatively weak in their intcgrity, but (piickly 

 change to substances containing constituents even more fatal thau 



