ACONITE 217 



of the alkaloid, after acidulating with acetic acid, gives on the 

 addition of a solution of potassium permanganate a red crystalline 

 precipitate. Aconitine decomposes quite readily and several of its 

 derivatives have been isolated: benzaconine, an inert alkaloid and 

 aconine which produces apparently contrary physiological effects 

 to aconitine. The alkaloid napelline may be isomeric with aconine. 

 Aconite also contains considerable aconitic acid, which is chiefly 

 combined with calcium and occurs in other genera of the Fam. 

 Ranunculacese, viz.: Delphinium and Adonis; besides considerable 

 starch ; a little mannitol and a resin. The other alkaloids are 



FIG. 96. Aconitine: orthorhombic crystals, crystallized from alcoholic solutions. 



amorphous and non-toxic, and of these isaconitine (napelline) has 

 been employed medicinally. 



Aconitine (acetyl-benzoyl-aconine) occurs in colorless, nearly 

 transparent, glistening crystals. From alcoholic solution ortho- 

 rhombic prisms (Fig. 96) usually predominate while from solutions 

 in which chloroform is the solvent, the tendency is for small isolated 

 rosette aggregates to separate. The crystals vary in length from 

 0.1 mm. to 1 mm., although crystals as large as 1 cm. in. length and 

 0.5 cm. in thickness have been obtained. Upon rapidly heating, the 

 M. P. is 197-198 C. At 25 C. one part of aconitine is soluble in 

 3226 parts of water; 22 parts of alcohol; 44 parts of ether; and 5.6 

 parts of benzene. The gold salt of aconitine is amorphous when 



