148 



A Study of the Constiiuents of Corn Smut.* 



By William Stuart. 



In connection with some studies upon corn smut, wliich were pub- 

 lislied in the twelftli annual report of the Indiana Experiment Station,^ 

 the question as to whether corn smut actually contained some principle 

 injurious to farm animals was given some attention. This portion of the 

 work, which was performed by the writer under the supervision of Dr. 

 Arthur, was not completed in time for publication with the other studies 

 mentioned. Tliis work consisted in making extracts of the corn smut, 

 and determining, by means of standard alkaloidal reagents, whether it 

 contained an alkaloid or not. It also included a study of the physio- 

 logical action of the extract upon horses, when administered to them either 

 hypodermically or per orum. For the latter portion of the work the writer 

 is greatly indebted to Dr. R. A. Craig, of the Veterinary Department, 

 who administered the doses and observed its effects. 



In the preparation of the extract valuable assistance was received from 

 Mr. J. W. Sturmer, of the Purdue School of Pharmacy. 



TESTS FOR ALKALOIDAL SALTS. 



The methods employed in testing for alkaloidal salts were to make an 

 alcoholic extract of the smut spores and such detritus as would pass 

 through a fine sieve. A hundred grams of the smut spores were weighed 

 out and, after thoroughly moistening them in an open dish with a 33V3 per 

 cent, solution of alcohol, they were again passed through a sieve to break 

 up all lumps, then transferred to a percolator previously fitted up for the 

 purpose. Sufficient alcohol, of the same strength as that' previously men- 

 tioned, was added to cover the spores. Maceration of the spores was 

 continued for twenty-four hours before any of the liquid was allowed to 

 pass over into the receiving flask, the latter being so adjusted as to pre- 

 vent it. At the end of this period the receiving flask was lowered so as 

 to permit of about two drops passing over into the flask per minute. The 

 percolation was continued until the percolate was colorless, sufficient 



* Abstract of an article published in the Thirteenth Ann. Rep. of the Ind. Exp. Sta., 



pp. 26-32, .Jan., 1901. 



(') Arthur and Stuart, Twelfth Ann. Report Ind. Exp. Sta., p. 84-135, Jan ,1900. 



