216 BACTERIAL POISONS. 



alcohol-ether; but is insoluble in absolute alcohol, ether, 

 etc. It can readily be separated from putrescine hydro- 

 chloride by its solubility in 96 per cent, alcohol (BocK- 

 LISCH). The strictly pure base, as well as the hydro- 

 chloride, does not give a blue color with ferric chloride and 

 potassium ferricyanide. For reactions of the hydrochloride 

 and of the free base, see Table I. 



Cadaverine hydrochloride on dry distillation decomposes 

 into NH 3 , HC1, and piperidine, C S H U N. The latter is a 

 well-known poisonous alkaloid which exists in the combined 

 state in black pepper. It is not known whether this change, 

 whereby the non-poisonous cadaverine is converted into a 

 toxic base, can take place under the influence of bacteria 

 during the processes of putrefaction or not. However, it 

 does not seem improbable that this simple chemical change 

 should be effected through the action of living organisms ; 

 for SCHMIDT has already shown that the almost physiologi- 

 cally indifferent choline, when subjected to the action of 

 the bacteria of hay-infusion, decomposes into a neurine-like 

 base possessing a muscarine-like action, and under certain 

 conditions it yields a base which in its action resembles 

 pilocarpine. 



The SULPHATE likewise forms beautiful, well-formed 

 needles, and in its solubility corresponds to the hydro- 

 chloride. 



The PLATINOCHLORIDE, C 5 H 14 N 2 .2HCl.PtCl 4 (Pt = 

 38.08 per cent.), crystallizes after some time, on the addition 

 of platinum chloride to a not too concentrated solution of the 

 hydrochloride, in the form of long, beautiful orange-red 

 needles (BocKLiSGH). Ordinarily it is obtained at first in 

 long, dirty red needles, which on repeated recrystallization 

 become clearer and assume a form similar to that of ammo- 

 nium platinochloride. It forms chrome-yellow rhombic 

 prisms which are short and octahedra-like. In polarized 

 light they are strongly double refracting. It is very slightly 

 soluble in cold water ; can be recrystallized from hot water 

 (BOCKLISCH). Its solubility in water at 12 isjl to 113- 

 114. It decomposes at 235-236. 



The AUROCHLORIDE, C 5 H 14 N 2 .2HC1.2 AuCl 3 |(Au=50.41 



