NUX VOMICA. : 187 
soluble in water, requiring 2,500 parts of boiling water. The principal cha- 
racter of Stryehnine consists in its forming neutral salts when united with 
acids; these salts are crystallizable, and for the most part soluble, and are 
much more active than the simple substance: it is therefore thought that 
when the system is habituated to the action of pure Strychnine, the salts 
may be substituted, without increasing the dose. 
Sulphate of Strychnine. This salt, if neutral, crystallizes in small trans- 
parent cubes, and in needles, if the acid preponderates ; it is soluble in less 
than ten parts of cold water, and decomposed by every soluble, salifiable 
basis. It consists of, sulphuric acid 9,5, Strychnine 90,5—100.* 
Hydrochlorate of Strychnine. ‘This salt is yery soluble, and crystallizes in 
needles, which, viewed through a lens, appear to be quadrangular prisms; 
when exposed to a temperature at which the base is decomposable, it gives 
off muriatic acid. 
Nitrate of Strychnine. This salt crystallizes in needles of a pearly aspect ; 
it is much more soluble in hot than cold water. It forms very soluble salts 
with the oxalic, tartaric, and acetic acids, susceptible of crystallization, es- 
pecially if the acid be in excess. The action of this salt (the nitrate) is more 
energetic than that of the strychnine itself. 
Phosphate of Strychnine crystallizes in four-sided prisms, and can only be 
obtained in a perfectly neutral state, by double decomposition. 
Subcarbonate of Strychnine is obtained in the form of white flakes. Boiled 
with iodine, it forms an iodate and hydriodate. ° 
BRUCINE. This substance is prepared by following the process already 
detailed for the separation of Strychnine; and when care is taken to crystallize 
the Strychnine several times in alcohol, it becomes pure, and free from Bru- 
cine; which latter being much more soluble in alcohol, remains in the alco- 
holic mother waters, from which this substance may then be obtained by 
farther evaporation.+ 
The presence of Brucine in Strychnine, M. Magendie says, is no great in- 
convenience ; as the Brucine is possessed of properties similar to those of 
Strychnine, only less active. “ In the St. Ignatius’ Bean, and in the Upas, 
Brucine bears the same relaticn to Strychnine, that Cinchonine does to Qui- 
* According to MM. Dumas and Pelletier, 100 parts of the base saturate, 10,486 of 
acid. 
+ Brucine had been previously found in the Angustura Spuria. 
Vot. V. * 
