138 NUX VOMICA. 
nine in the Cinchonas. The most active Cinchonas contain the most Quinine, 
whilst St. Ignatius’ bean and the Upas, which are much more active than 
the nux vomica, contain little Brucine, and much Strychnine. The Strych- 
nine is almost pure in the Upas.”* Crystallized Brucine is a true hydrate ; 
its affinity for water is very considerable, whilst pure Strychnine is not sus- 
ceptible of passing into a state of hydrate. Brucine is extremely bitter, 
sparingly soluble in water, although more so than Strychnine ; when regu- 
larly crystallized, it is under the form of oblique prisms, with parallelogramic 
bases; it fuses at a temperature nearly equal to that of boiling water, and 
in cooling, assumes the consistence of wax. Like Strychnine, it combines 
with acids, and forms neutral salts. By analysis, it appears to consist of— 
Carbon) Os Petal eae ee 
Azote wielded Je gel Re 
Hydrogen ee ee OE 
ROM te oo Ade 
100 
SALTS OF BRUCINE. 
Sulphate. i salt —— in long — resembling four-sided 
prisms, termi iby extremely delicate pyramids. Itis very soluble in water 
and in alcohol; its taste is exceedingly bitter. It is decomposed by soda, 
ammonia, potass, baryta, lime, strontian, magnesia, strychnine and mot- 
phine. The super-sulphate crystallizes more readily than the. neutral salt, 
and is formed of sulphuric acid, 8,84,5, Brucine, 91,16,51,582. 
Hydrochlorate. This salt crystallizes in four-sided prisms, terminated by 
an oblique surface. It is not acted upon by the air, and is very soluble in 
water. It is decomposed by sulphuric acid, nitric acid destroys it. It con- 
sists of —Acid, 5,953-—4,575. Brucine, 94,046,72,5. 
The phosphate is also erystallizable, very soluble, and slightly efflorescent. 
The nitrate forms a mass somewhat resembling gum. The acetate, oxalate, 
and tartrate, may also be crystallized. 
_ Remedial Effects, Se. of Nux Vomica, and its Preparations —M. Magendie, 
having by a series of experimentst ascertained that the whole of the family 
of plants df the Strychni amari, had the singular property of acting imme- 
diately and powerfully on the spinal marrow, without affecting, except in- 
* Brucine is obtained in large quantities from the bark of the Brucea anti-dysenterica, 
by a process nearly similar to that directed for the preparation of Strychnine 
+ Read before the French Institute in 1809. 
