SCROmULARINEJE. 1 3 



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picrorliizin is decomposed by liydrolizing it with a boiling 



1 per cent, solution of hydrochloric acid for three hours, and a 



decomposition product, which we have named TicrorJnzetin, 



is formed together with glucose. In obtaining 0'7 gram of 



picrorhizetin '368 gram separated during the first hour, '219 



gram in the second hour, -113 gram in the third hour, and none 



in the fourth. Weighed quantities of the picrorhizin, after 



drying at lOO^C, afforded, on hydrolysis, 62-48 and 6279 per 



cent, of picrorhizetin, as the result of two experiments. The 



glucose obtained from the decomposition was inactiA^e towards 



polarized light. An infusion or tincture of the root boiled with 



diluted acid gradually loses its bitterness, and a large increase 



in the sugar is detected by Fehling's solution. Picrorhizetin 



is a red-brown, brittle, resinous, tasteless body soluble in 



aqueous alkalies. It is insoluble in water, and its solution in 



alcohol is precipitated by ether. By heating with strong 



sulphuric acid or when being burnt it evolves an odour of 

 benzoin, 



^ 



The wax after bleacting, and purifying by recrystallization 

 from hot alcohol, had a melting point of 51°C. The organic 

 acid separated by lead was red-coloured and gave a greenish 

 colour with ferric salts. No tannic acid was present. Some 

 picrorhizetin was naturally formed in the drug, and existed 

 in a much smaller proportion in the freshly dried rhizome. 

 After removing the bitter principle by continued percolation 

 with alcohol, the marc was dried and exhausted with water, 

 the dark red-brown solution was evaporated to dryness, and 

 •2 gram of the residue was foimd to act as a decided purn-e. 

 The aqueous extract treated with four volumes of alcohol 

 afPorded precipitates containing 14'5 and 15-3 per cent, of 

 mineral matter, and with six volumes a precipitate was obtain- 

 ed with 10-8 per cent, of ash. We rely upon the physiological 

 action of this extract in considering cathartic acid to be a 

 constituent. 



Commerce. ^Yuhxoy Rs. 9 per maund of 37i lbs. Kumaon 



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