986 AN AMERICAN TEXT-BOOK OF PHYSIOLOGY. 



Seyler the urea-formation in the body is as indicated in the above reaction, but that no 

 cyanic acid or ammonium cyanate is to be detected on account of their extreme instability. 

 Potassium Thiocyanide, NCSK. This substance is usually found in human saliva 

 and in the urine. Since it contains nitrogen and sulphur its original source must be from 

 proteid. The amount in the urine is probably wholly and quantitatively derived from that 

 in the saliva. 1 If thiocyanides be fed, they appear quickly in the urine without change. 

 Thiocyanides are less poisonous than the simple cyanides (see discussion under Acetonitril 

 above). Thiocyanides give a red color with ferric chloride in acid solution. 



DIATOMIC ALCOHOL RADICALS. 



Thus far only derivatives of monatoraic radicals have been discussed ; next 

 in order follow diatomic alcohol radicals, represented by the formula C n H 2n , and 

 including the bodies ethylene, H 2 C CH 2 , propylene, CH 3 HC = CH 2 , etc. 

 This set of hydrocarbons is called the olefines. The first series of compounds 

 which are of physiological interest are the amiiies of the olefines. 



AMINES OF THE OLEFINES. 



These include the group of ptomaines basic substances which are formed 

 from proteid th rough bacterial putrefaction. Those which are poisonous are 

 called toxines. These bodies are diamines of the olefines, and have been 

 investigated especially by Brieger. 2 



Tetramethylene-diamin, or Putrescin, H 2 N.CH 2 .CH 2 .CH 2 .CH 2 .NH 2 . This com- 

 pound is found in putrefying proteid, and has been detected in the urine and feces in 

 cystitis. 



Pentamethylene-diamin, or Cadaverin, H 2 N.C 5 Hi .NH 2 . This is found with 

 putrescine wherever produced. They are both found in cultivations of Koch's cholera bacil- 

 lus and in cholera feces. In cystitis they are a result of special infection of the intestinal 

 tract, are principally excreted in the feces, but are partially absorbed, and prevent, perhaps 

 through chemical union, the burning of cystein normally produced. 3 Diamines are not 

 normally present in the urine. 



Neuridin and Saprin. These are isomers of cadaverin and are produced by the same 

 putrefactive processes. 



Cholin. This is trimethyl oxyethyl ammonium hydroxide, 



and has its source in lecithin decomposition, and putrefaction (see p. 1001). 



Muscarin, or Oxycholin. This is a violent heart-poison, and may be obtained by 

 treating cholin with nitric acid. 



OH 

 Neurin. This is trim ethyl- vinyl ammonium hydroxide, (CH 8 ) 3 ~ N <C ntj _ njj 



and is derived from lecithin. Theoretically it may be considered as derived from cholin, 

 with the elimination of a molecule of water, but it has never been shown that bacteria 

 make this conversion. It is a powerful poison. 



DERIVATIVES OF DIATOMIC ALCOHOLS. 



Taurin, or Amido-ethyl Sulphonic Acid, H 2 N.CH 2 .CH 2 .SO 3 H. This 

 has been detected in muscle, 4 in the spleen, and in the suprarenal capsules. 



1 Gscheidlen : PjHigeSs Archiv, 1877, Bd. 14, p. 411. 



2 Abstract, Jahresbericht iiber Thierchemie, 1885, p. 101. 



3 Baumann und Udranszky: Zeitschri/t fur physiologische Chemie, 1889, Bd. 13, p. 562, and 

 1891, Bd. 15, p. 77. 



* Keed, Kunkenberg, and Wagner : Zeitschrift fur Biologie, 1885, Bd. 21, p. 30. 



