108 THE CLEAVAGE PRODUCTS OF THE NUCLEOPROTEIDS. 



the close relationship which exists between the kreatins and the 

 ureids. 



^KI CH 2 NH.CH 3 



NH : C< + H 2 = | -f CO(NH 2 ) 2 



X N(CH 3 ) CH 2 COOH COOH Urea. 



Kreatiu. Methyl-glycocoll. 



/NH - CO /NH - CO 



NH : C< | + H 2 O = NH 3 + CO< 



\N(CH 3 ) - CH 2 X N(CH 3 ) CH 2 



Kreatinin. Methyl-liydantoin. 



The individual representatives of the group will be considered 

 later. 



THE PTOMAINS. 



The term ptomain was originally applied by Selmi to certain 

 alkaloidal bodies which are formed during the process of albu- 

 minous putrefaction. Gautier then extended its use to include all 

 those alkaloidal substances which result from anaerobic fermenta- 

 tion, as also those which are formed in the tissues of the higher 

 animals in the absence of air, or in the presence at least of an insuf- 

 ficient supply of oxygen. In contradistinction to these substances, 

 Gautier terms those alkaloidal bodies which are formed during the 

 normal and aerobic life of the tissues leucomains. Under this 

 latter heading, as has been seen, he comprises the nucleinic bases 

 and the kreatins. 



Gautier divides the ptomains into acyclic and cyclic ptomains, 

 some of which are free from oxygen, while in others this is present. 

 They are all derived from ammonia by the substitution of various 

 radicles for one or all of the hydrogen atoms of ammonia, and are 

 hence analogous to the amins. Some of these bodies are extremely 

 toxic and were once regarded as specific toxins of various bacteria, to 

 which the symptoms in the corresponding infections were essen- 

 tially referable. We now know that this is true only to a limited 

 extent. 



The acyclic ptomains which are free from oxygen comprise the 

 following substances : 



Methylaroin . ............. NH 2 .CH 3 = CH 5 N 



Dimethylamin ................... NH(CH 3 ) 2 = C 2 H t N 



Trimethylamin ................... N(CH 3 ) 3 = C^N 



Butylainin ..................... NH 2 (C 4 H 9 ) = C 4 H U N 



Amylamin ..................... NH 2 (C 5 H n ) = C 5 H, 3 N 



Hexylamin .................... NH 2 (C 6 H 13 ) = C 6 H 15 N 



Neuridin ..................... C 5 H U N 2 



Saprin ...................... C 5 H U N 2 



Pentamethylene-diamin or cadaverin ......... NH 2 (CH 2 ) 5 .NH 2 



Ethylene-diamin .................. NH 2 (C 2 H 4 ) 4 NH 2 



Tetramethylene-diamin or putrescin ......... NH 2 (CH 2 ) 4 .NH 2 



Dimethylene-imide or spermin ............ (CH 2 ) 2 NH 



Mydalein ..................... 



Methyl-guanidin ........... ....... CH 4 (CH 3 )N 3 



