524 



SCIENTIFIC AND APPLIED PHARMACOGNOSY 



This solution of 10 c.c. contains 0.00225 gramme of the alkaloids of 

 nux vomica. Calculating 20 drops as being equivalent to 1 c.c., 

 we have 20 X 10 c.c. = 200 drops. Then 200 drops of liquid contain 

 approximately .00225 gramme of alkaloids and 1 drop contains 

 Tzfo X .00225 = .00001125 gramme. A few drops of this solution, 

 in a watch crystal, should give with the following reagents distinctive 

 reactions. 



Mayer's reagent, a pronounced white precipitate. 



H 



FIG. 221. Nux Vomica: H, fragments of lignified hairs of seed-coat; B, basal 

 portion of hairs; E, thick-walled parenchyma cells of endosperm containing 

 one or more oil globules and protoplasm; P, isolated protoplasmic substance 

 from endosperm cells. 



Potassium permanganate and sulphuric acid, a purple color that 

 is evanescent. 



Potassium dichromate and sulphuric acid, a purple color that is 

 more persistent. 



Gold chloride solution gives a very slight yellow precipitate. 



Constituents. Ash 1 to 4 per cent; chlorogenic (formerly called 

 igasuric) acid, which is dibasic acid and crystallizes in needles, the 

 solutions giving a green color with solutions of ferric chloride; 1.5 to 

 5 per cent of alkaloids consisting of strychnine and brucine, the former 

 comprising from one-third to one-half of the total amount. Strych- 



