THE SUPRARENAL BODIES. 331 



respectively to active extracts which they have separated by 

 different processes. Some idea of the nature of the substance 

 may be obtained from considering a method given by Taka- 

 mine for separating it. 



The minced capsules are extracted by weakly acidulated water in an 

 atmosphere of carbon dioxide to prevent oxidation. The temperature of 

 the extraction is at first 5o-6o and finally 9O-95 to coagulate proteins. 

 The extract is concentrated in vacua and precipitated with strong alcohol ; 

 the filtrate is concentrated the alcohol distilled off in vacua, and to the 

 aqueous residue ammonia is added. This produces a precipitate of the 

 active principle in crude form, which crystallizes in time. The precipi- 

 tate is redissolved with a little acid in alcohol, and certain impurities are 

 thrown out by addition of ether. The filtrate is concentrated in vacua 

 again and a new precipitation effected by ammonia. By repeating this 

 treatment several times a much purer product is obtained. 



A light yellowish crystalline substance is finally secured 

 which has been several times analyzed, but not with abso- 

 lutely concordant results. The formula C 10 H 15 NO 3 has been 

 proposed by Takamine, but may not quite represent the com- 

 position. The adrenalin is slightly soluble in cold water and 

 much better in hot. Weak acids and alkali hydroxides aid 

 solution, but ammonia produces a precipitate. Salts are 

 formed with the common acids, and of these the hydrochloride 

 is used in medicine already extensively, on account of its blood 

 pressure-raising property. This salt seems to contain one 

 molecule of HC1 with one of the active principle. 



On cleavage with alkali adrenalin furnishes a number of 

 products which give some idea of its possible composition. 

 Pyrrol, skatol and protocatechuic acid have been obtained; 

 three hydroxyl groups seem to be present and one methyl- 

 amine group, v. Fiirth suggests a cyclic formula with one 

 CH 2 less than the formula given above with a possible con- 

 stitution [(CH 3 )NC 2 HOH]C 6 H 6 (OH) 2 . Other groupings 

 for the empirical formula C 9 H 13 NO 3 have also been given. 

 Recently the specific rotation of the acetate has been found.. 

 This is, at 23.5, [a] ^ = 430. 



The other constituents of the suprarenal capsules have no 

 importance at the present time that can be clearly defined, but 



