322 



CONSIDERATION OF CARBON COMPOUNDS. 



nine, which are almost insoluble in ether. The ethereal liquid, 

 which forms a distinct layer over the aqueous solution, is re- 

 moved and allowed to evaporate in watch-glasses ; the slight 

 residues left are used for the various tests characteristic of the 

 different alkaloids. 



The aqueous alkaline solution separated from the ethereal 

 liquid is well shaken with chloroform, which dissolves strych- 

 nine ; after having subsided, the chloroform is removed by a 

 pipette and evaporated to dryness over a water-bath; if the 

 residue upon being slightly heated with a drop of sulphuric acid 

 does not darken, the tests for strychnine may be applied ; if, 

 however, a brown or dark color is produced, the residue has 

 to be further purified by heating with a few drops of sulphuric 

 acid, which destroys most organic matter, but does not affect 

 strychnine, which is extracted from the charred material by 

 slightly acidulated water. 



The aqueous alkaline solution (previously treated with ether 

 and chloroform) is evaporated to a small bulk over a water-bath 

 and exhausted with alcohol, which dissolves morphine ; the alco- 

 holic solution may leave the morphine sufficiently pure for fur- 

 ther examination. 



It is not claimed for the above method of detecting the alka- 

 loids in presence of much organic matter, that it is the best 

 one, but I have found that students of even limited experience 

 in analytical operations obtained better results by using this than 

 any other method. The practical toxicologist has in most cases 

 of poisoning some data (deducted from the symptoms before 

 death, or from the results of the post-mortem examination) 

 pointing to a certain poison, which, of course, facilitate his 

 work considerably. 



Important alkaloids. 



a. Liquid and volatile alkaloids. 

 Coniine, C 8 H ]5 N, Conium maculatum. 



Morphine, 



Codeine, 



Thebaine, 



Papaverine, 



Narcotine, 



Narceine, 



Nicotine, C^ Hj 4 N 2 , Tobacco plant. 



b. Solid and fixed alkaloids. 

 C 17 H 19 NO 3 10.00 per cent. 



C 18 H 21 NO, 



C^NO; 



CH.X0 



0.25 

 0.15 

 1.00 

 1.30 

 0.70 



In opium. 



The percentages 

 given are an aver- 

 age, but vary 

 widely. 



