42 



Clielerytlirill = Css H17 NOg. In the root of Glaucium 

 luteum and allied species, also in all parts of Chelidonium majus, 

 Esclischoltzia Californica and Sanguinaria Canadensis (all plants 

 of the order of Papaveracese). Production from the root of 

 Chelidodiu.m majus: macerate with water containing sulphuric acid, 

 precipitate the liquid with ammonia, edulcorate, press and dissolve 

 the precipitate in alcohol acidulated with sulphuric acid, add 

 water and distil off the alcohol, precipitate the remaining liquid 

 with ammonia, wash the deposit and dry between blotting-paper at 

 a gentle heat as quick as possible, reduce to powder and treat 

 with ether, which dissolves principally the Chelerythrin. After 

 evaporating the ether, a viscid, turpentine-like mass remains, 

 which must be dissolved in the least possible amount of water, 

 containing hydrochloric acid, in order to remove resin. The solu- 

 tion is evaporated to dryness and rinsed with ether, which leaves 

 behind chloride of Ch.; dissolve the latter in little cold water 

 which leaves undissolved hx the main chloride of Chelidonin, 

 evaporate and i-edissolve, &c., as long as chloride of Chelidonin 

 is formed. From the last aqueous solution the Ch. is isolated by 

 ammonia, and has, after rinsing and drying, to be purified by 

 dissolving in ether and evaporating. — White grains of pearl lustre; 

 remains after the ethereous solution has been evaporated, as a tur- 

 pentine-like mass which slowly solidifies to a shining, friable 

 substance ; without taste by itself, but the alcoholic solution tastes 

 burning, acrid and bitter; its dust induces vehement sneezing; it 

 softens resin-like at 65°, is decomposed in higher temperatures, 

 is of alkaline reaction; assumes slowly a yellow-white colovir when 

 exposed to the air and becomes red by traces of acid vapours ; 

 does not dissolve in water, but most readily in alcohol, ether and 

 oils. With acids, which impart to it a beautiful oi-ange-red tint, it 

 forms crimson-red, neutral, partly crystallisable salts of a burning, 

 acrid taste, readily soluble in water and precipitable by alkalies, 

 and by tannic acid. 



Chelirtoilic Acia=Ci4 H2 Oio + 3 HO-F-2 Aq. As yet only 

 found in Chelidonium majus, aud present in all parts. Is 

 obtained when the aqueous extract is precipitated with nitrate of 

 lead, the deposit washed and treated first with very diluted nitric 

 acid (30 parts water and one part acid of 1'22 density), in order 

 to remove other compounds of lead, and afterwards decom- 

 posed boiling hot by sulphide of sodium. The excess of the latter 

 is destroyed by means of an acid (acetic acid), the filtered liquid 

 is evaporated, and the acid which will have separated is recrys- 

 tallised. It foi'ms small, colourless needles, dissolves in 166 parts 

 cold and 36 parts boiling water, in 709 parts alcohol of 75°/„, is 

 without smell, of a strongly acid taste, is carbonised by heat, and 

 precipitated white by salts of lead, nitrate of silver and the nitrates- 



