APPENDIX, 91 



if Ji 



The composition of aconitine corresponds to the formula 

 C^"H*^N"0^^, which contains twice as much nitrogen as the 

 formula hitherto accepted. 



The proportion of alkaloid in the root is as follows : 



Per cent. 



Aconitum Napellus, fresh 0'71 



dried .- ..• 0-14 



Japanese aconite „ .*. ..• 0'57 



The method for the preparation of aconitine, recommended by the 

 authorsj is as follows : 



The powdered tubers are macerated from three to four days with 

 Washed fusel oil, then percolated, and the alkaloid extracted from the 

 percolate with small quantities of dilute sulphuric acid. The fusel 

 oil is removed from this solution by treatment with etber, and the 

 dissolved ether driven off by heat. The alkaloid is frecipitated from 

 the acid solution by solution of sodium carbonate, collected on a 

 strainer, pressed between limestones, and then spread on bibulous 

 paper and allowed to dry at ordinary temperature. The dried 

 alkaloid is then boiled with pure dry ether, and the filtrate set aside 

 to crystallize; the crystals are redissolved in a small quantity of 

 ether to remove a gum-like body. 



The toxicity of .^.-aconitine is stated to be only one -sixth of that of 

 iS-aconitine. {Chemist aiicl Druggist, Feb. 7, 1891, 20.5, and Feb. 



15. 1891,242, 243.) 



Ehrenberg and Purf first infer from their experiments with 

 aconitine that its composition is more correctly represented by the 

 formula C^=^H*^NC, than by that assigned to it by Wright and 

 Luff (C-2H*-N0^^), orDunstan andlnce (C-^ff^NO^^). They state 

 that by heating with water to 150° C, or by treatment with alcoholic 

 potash, aconitine does not at once yield benzoic acid and aconine ; but 

 that, in addition to benzoic acid, methylic alcohol and another acid 

 are produced. The authors state that by boiling aconitine with water 

 there is at first produced a salt of a new base, which crystallizes 

 ^hen the liquid cools, and this product is described by them as 

 benzoate of picraconitine. This is represented as being formed by 

 Simple hydrolysis 



