642 SOLANACER. 
tinues to-producée a milky separation, and then the last trace 
of the salt remaining dissolved in the alcoholic liquor is pre- 
cipitated by the addition of ether. .The precipitate is dissolved 
in hot alcohol, the solution filtered, and ether added to pro- 
mote the separation of the salt, when it is obtained in handsome 
crystalline tufts. Analysis of the salt indicated the formula 
C '°H'*N2(C4H 5)*4 2h°O; it therefore contains 32 per 
cent. of nicotine. 
M. de Coninck (1889) made the interesting observation that 
in the oxidation of a ptomaine having the formula C®H?'!N by © 
means of a solution of potassium permanganate a pyridincar- 
boxylic acid was obtained presenting the principal characters of 
nicotinic acid. Having since obtained the compound in a 
purer condition he is able now to state definitely (Compt. Rend., 
cviii., 809) that this acid produced in the oxidation of a ptomaine 
is identical with nicotinic acid resulting from the pace ee i a 
nicotine. (Pharm. Jour., June 8, 1889.) ee” 
Prof, E. Schmidt and Mr. Schiitte (Apoth. Zig. 1890, 511) 
have discovered traces of mydriatic alkaloids in tobacco. 
Toxicology.—The reports of the Chemical Examiners in India 
do not contain many cases of poisoning by this drug. Dr. 
Brown, Punjab Poisons, refers to a case of an infant, taken 
from its mother in the morning, and returned at night but 
soon died. Portions of tobacco were found in the stomach, 
In a second case, also reported by Dr. Brown, a female child of 
a woman who had left her husband was found dead; the 
stomach contained a quantity of green substance which 
proved to be portions of tobacco leaves; the brain and lungs 
were congested. In the Bengal Chemical Examiner’s Report 
for 1884, tobacco was received in connection with three cases 
of alleged attempts at poisoning, in two of the cases ganja 
was mixed with the tobacco. In the Bombay Dispensary | 
Reports (vol. ii., p. 4,) the injurious effects of tobacco as an 
_ emetic in a case of poisoning by opium is recorded. Dr. Lyon 
(Med. Jurisprudence for India, p. 291,) remarks :— Death has _ 
resulted from “——— tobacco, from administration ty me 
pe eZ aaa 
