38 R. F. RUTTAN ON THE 



tint. They are partially decomposed by boiling water, are very slightly sohible in alcohol 

 or ether, but more so in hydrochloric acid. 



With gold chloride the hydrochloride gives a precipitate of fine needles arranged in 

 stars and rosettes of a pale-green colour. 



The Picrate. 



This salt is easily formed by the action of picric acid on the base in alcoholic solution. 

 Obtained in this vray it crystallizes in small green masses of slender radiating needles. 

 "When an aqueous solution of picric acid is employed the precipitated salt appears as large 

 feathery stars of a bright green tint. It decomposes at about 162° C. without fusion. 



The Bichromate. 



Very characteristic of this base, as of most quiuolins, is the bichromate, which is 

 formed by the action of potassium bichromate on a solution of the base in dilute sulphuric 

 acid. It crystallizes in large triangular masses arranged fan-like, with the apices of the 

 triangles to a point. These crystals are of a rich orange tint, and are easily soluble in 

 water. 



The tarlrale is very insoluble, white and amorphous. The sulphate is very soluble in 

 dilute sulphuric acid, is crystalline, forming very acute octahedra on standing, and, like 

 the hydrochloride, dissociates into sulphuric acid and the base on dilution with water. 



Several attempts were made to isolate a basic sulphate, or hydrochloride, without 

 success. No constant relation between acid and base could be determined on analysis, 

 except that which indicated a normal salt. When dissociation occurred from dilution it 

 was progressive, and ultimately all acid could be removed from these salts by continuous 

 washing with water. 



This diquinolin gives amorphous, difficultly soluble precipitates, with the so-called 

 alkaloidal agents, such as potassio-mercuric iodide, phospho-tungstic, phospho-molybdic 

 acid, etc. 



PHYSI0L0C4ICAL ACTION. 



The salts of this base, as well as the base itself, seem to possess very marked autipyritic 

 and antiseptic action. 



The experiments detailed below were made by Prof James Stewart and the writer 

 with the object of ascertaining the effect of the alkaloid on the natural temperature of the 

 body. 



In Experiments I and II healthy rabbits were given hypodermically 01 grm. of the 

 hydrochloride beneath the skin of the back. Some preliminary experiments which were 

 made by the writer had shown that the base had no toxic effects on rabbits in doses of 

 live decigrammes. 



No constitutional disturbance could be observed in any of the animals, either during 

 or after the experiments, except the decrease in body heat. 



Several experiments were made by Dr. Stewart to ascertain the eftect of the alkaloid 

 on the pyrexia of disease, with very encouraging resxilts. Further study of its thera- 

 peutic action has been deferred until a larger supply of the alkaloid has been prepared. 



