452 



ATROPINE. 



lead acetate; the lead removed from the filtrate by 

 means of sodium sulphate ; after concentrating by eva 

 poration, and adding sodium carbonate until the liquid 

 shows a weak alkaline reaction, the cocaine is ex 

 tracted by shaking with ether. 



Properties. Colorless and tasteless, four- or six-sided 

 monoclinic prisms. Fuses at 98. But slightly solu 

 ble in cold water, more easily in alcohol, very easily in 

 ether ; reacts alkaline, and has a weak, bitter taste. 



On. heating with hydrochloric acid it is decomposed 

 with assimilation of water, yielding benzoic acid, 

 methyl alcohol, and ecgonine, C 9 II 15 iTO 3 + H 2 0, a base, 

 easily soluble in water ; less soluble in absolute alco 

 hol, in ether insoluble ; crystallizing in colorless prisms, 

 of a vitreous lustre, which melt at 198. 



There is also contained in coca leaves, together with 

 cocaine, a liquid, volatile alkaloid, hygrine. 



15. Atr opine. 

 C 17 H 23 ]TO 3 . 



Occurrence. In all parts of Atropa belladonna and 

 Datura stramonium. 



Preparation. Fresh belladonna leaves, gathered at 

 the commencement of the period of flowering, are 

 pressed; the juice heated to 80-90 ; filtered ; and after 

 the addition of potassa, the atropine extracted by shak 

 ing with chloroform. It is extracted from the roots 

 of the belladonna and from the seeds of the thorn- 

 apple in a manner similar to that described in connec 

 tion with the other alkaloids. 



Properties. Crystallizes in fine, white prisms ; fusible 

 at 90 ; tastes very disagreeably bitter and sharp. 

 Soluble in thirty parts of boiling water, less in cold 

 water, easily soluble in alcohol. Easily decomposable 

 in solution, even when combined with acids, forming 

 ammonia. Atropine sulphate and hydrochlorate crystallize 

 in fine needles, are permanent in the air, easily soluble 

 in water. 



It is very poisonous, and the smallest quantity 

 causes dilatation of the pupils. 



When heated with barium hydroxide or hydro- 



