ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OP CERTAIN AMYL COMPOUNDS. 273 



mented on animals with a little that remained from the same store, without 

 producing any dangerous symptoms. 



I introduce amylene to notice in this place, because it not only links itself 

 naturally with the series, but is, in fact, a proper body of the series from 

 which to date observations as to variation of action. 



Amylene is made by acting on pure fusel oil or amylic alcohol with 

 chloride of ziuc ; it has also been obtained, together with hydruret of amyl, 

 by the action of zinc on iodide of amyl. In the distillation of the amylene 

 other products are almost certain to pass over, and I think I am right in 

 saying that the substance has never been obtained actually pure for physio- 

 logical purposes. It ought, -when quite pure, to be neutral to potassium, 

 and to preserve that element from oxidation ; but, as far as I am aware, this 

 degree of purity has not been secured. The liquid has an oily character, 

 and an odour compared by most persons to raw whiskey. It boils at the 

 temperature of the blood, 98° Fahr. ; it is soluble in alcohol and ether to any 

 degree, it is soluble in water to the extent only of one part in 9319, and the 

 specific gravity of its vapour, according to Snow, is as low as 2--I5. As a 

 fluid it is nearly colourless. It is composed of two elements, C 10 H 10 . 



Antiseptic Properties. — Like the nitrite of amyl, amylene is antiseptic ; if 

 dead tissue be placed in the pure vapour of amylene securely it remains un- 

 changed, but the great difficulty consists in retaining the vapour in the 

 • vessel. If 60 grains of amylene be placed in a jar having a cubic capacity 

 of 80 inches, the ox-ganic substance to be preserved being previously put into 

 the jar, sufficient amylene may be diffused by the warmth of the hand to 

 enable the specimen to be kept in preservation. Animal tissues in amylene- 

 vapour do not gelatinize as in ammonia ; they become soft, evidently from 

 the action of water retained in them, but not offensive. Decomposed animal 

 tissue placed in vapour of amylene does not become less offensive, although 

 the process of putrefaction is for a time arrested. 



Amylene preserves blood from putrefaction so long as it is present in the 

 mass. During the past weeks of extreme heat I have retained blood un- 

 changed in my laboratory by simply treating it, from time to time, with 

 sufficient amylene to render the odour of the substance detectable. After it 

 has been for a time in contact with blood in a closed bottle, the odour evolved 

 resembles rosemary so closely as not to be distinguished from it. 



Effects on Flowers. — Amylene prevents the decomposition of fresh flowers, 

 but it is not applicable as a preservative, owing to the change it produces in 

 colour. The leaves pass from green to a dirty brown, the yellow colour 

 grows slightly dingy, and the red fades. The colour least influenced is 

 yellow. 



Physiological Effects on Living Organisms. — Amylene does not in any de- 

 gree irritate either the skin or mucous membrane ; it acts feebly when exhi- 

 bited by the mouth or by injection under the skin. It is by inhalation only 

 that we can bring out its actual properties. 



I have administered amylene in vapour to dogs, cats, guineapigs, and 

 men. The symptoms presented in all are in the main the same. There 

 is not the terrific excitement of the circulation which is seen when the 

 nitrite of amyl is used, but there is some excitement, and there is quick 

 inebriation. 



This is followed by powerlessness of the limbs, and sudden collapse and 

 coma, with total insensibility to pain, but not always, and indeed rarely, 

 with an equivalent loss of consciousness. In one case I saw a person who 

 was under amvlene, and entirely senseless to a severe surgical operation, 



1865. v 



