ALKALOIDS. 403 



to obtain the alkaloid in an entirely pure form ; the composition given above 

 corresponds to the analysis of the purest obtainable article. Aconitine is one 

 of the most poisonous substances known; there are no reliable chemical tests 

 by which it may be readily distinguished from other alkaloids ; the aqueous 

 solution is precipitated by alkalies, tannic acid, Mayer's reagent, and solution 

 of iodine in potassium iodide, but not by platinic chloride, mercuric chloride, 

 and picric acid. Characteristic is the intensely acrid taste of the alkaloid and 

 the numbness and tingling caused by it in the mouth and throat. The greatest 

 care should be exercised in examining aconitine for these properties. 



Veratrine, Veratrina. This is a mixture of alkaloids obtained 

 from the seed of Asagrsea officinalis. It is a white, amorphous, rarely 

 crystalline powder, highly irritating to the nostrils ; nearly insoluble 

 in water, readily soluble in alcohol. 



Analytical reactions : 



1. Concentrated sulphuric acid causes with veratrine first a yellow, 

 then reddish-yellow, intense scarlet, and, finally, violet-red color. 

 (Plate VII., 8.) The yellow or orange-red solution exhibits, by 

 reflected light, a greenish fluorescence. 



2. Veratrine, when heated with concentrated hydrochloric acid, 

 dissolves with a blood-red color. 



3. Bromine water colors veratrine violet. 



4. Veratrine forms with nitric acid a yellow solution. 



Hydrastine, C 21 H 21 N0 6 . Found together with berberine in the rhizome of 

 hydrastis Canadensis (golden seal) in quantities varying from 0.1 to 0.2 per 

 cent. Hydrastine crystallizes in four-sided, colorless prisms ; it fuses at 132 C. 

 (270 F.), is insoluble in water and benzin, soluble in about 2 parts of chloro- 

 form, 83 parts of ether, and 120 parts of alcohol at the ordinary temperature. 



Hydrastine answers to all the general tests for alkaloids; treated with con- 

 centrated sulphuric acid it shows a yellow color, turning red, then purple on 

 heating. Concentrated nitric acid produces a yellow color, changing to orange. 

 The fluorescence noticed in solutions of hydrastine or its salts is due to pro- 

 ducts formed from it by oxidation. While hydrastine itself crystallizes very 

 readily, especially from solutions in acetic ether, its salts can scarcely be 

 obtained in crystals. 



Hydrastinine, C U H U NO 2 . When hydrastine is treated with 

 oxidizing agents it is converted into hydrastinine, the hydrochlorate 

 of which is official. This salt has a pale-yellow color, a bitter, saline 

 taste, and is soluble in 0.3 part of water, and also readily soluble in 

 alcohol, but difficultly soluble in ether or chloroform. A dilute 

 aqueous solution of the salt (up to about 1 in 100,000) has a decided 

 blue fluorescence. 



