On the Action of Sulphuric Acid upon Strych- 
nine, in the Separation of this Alka- 
loid from Organic Matter. 
| RY 2. BH. 8. BAILEY AND’ WM. LANGE) i 
In the separation of the alkaloids from organic matter in the or- 
dinary toxicological examinations, it has been found convenient to 
purify the alkaloid from the last portions of organic matter by 
evaporation of the partially purified material with a drop or two of 
strong sulphuric acid, and the question has arisen, to what extent 
does this operation destroy the alkaloid. The concentrated acid 
destroys the organic matter, and it would be strange if it did not, 
| under these conditions, partially destroy the alkaloid or by hydroly- 
sis or in some other way so change it that its presence could not be 
| discovered by ordinary reagents. The object of these investiga- 
tions was to determine if possible, to what extent this process af- 
fected the delicacy of the tests for the detection of strychnine. 
The method employed for separation of an alkaloid from organic 
| matter is usually that of Stas’, modified by later investigators as 
the conditions of the case may suggest. For the separation of 
strychnine, the best method has been found to be to acidulate with 
: acetic acid, and digest at a moderate temperature with diluted 
alcohol. This alcoholic solution is then evaporated and an 
| aqueous solution is obtained, which is made alkaline with caustic 
potash and shaken with chloroform several times; the chloroform 
solution is separated, and evaporated to dryness, and the residue, 
dissolved in a drop of dilute acetic acid, is tested for strychnine by 
| the appropriate reagents. If this residue is still impure, it will be- 
come colored when the sulphuric acid is added to it, on account of 
the decomposition of organic matter, for pure strychnine salts and 
sulphuric acid give no coloration, or only the very faintest trace of 
color. 
The color tests for strychnine are considered very satisfactory if 
carefully performed, and in connection with the precipitation by 
| alkaloid reagents and the examination of the crystals by the micro- 
’ \ 
(205) KAN. UNIV, QUAR., VOL. VI, NO, 4, OOT.,, 1807, SERIES a, | 
