6 BULLETIN 405, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



obtained a substance that showed a beghining of crystallization, 

 which he called lupinin. Beyer (1871), found an alkaloid in lupme 

 from a study of Lwpinus luteus. Baumert issued a series of papers 

 from 1881 to 1889. Baumert (1886) summarizes the knowledge to 

 date and announces definitely the presence of two alkaloids in Lwpinus 

 luteus, lupinin (C21H40N2O2), and lupinidin (CgHijN). Schmidt (1897), 

 Davis (1897), Callsen (1899), Schmidt (1904), and Bergh (1904) 

 summarize and bring the subject to date with extensive additions 

 to the detailed chemistry of the alkaloids. Schmidt (1897) states 

 the alkaloids as lupinin (C21H40N2O2), lupinin (CgH^sN), "dextro- 

 rotatory-lupanin " (CigH24N20), and inactive lupanin (C30H48N4O2). 

 These are found m the lupines examined, as follows: 



Lupinus angustif olius dextrorotatory-lupanin . 



Lupinus albus r dextrorotatory-lupanin. 



imactive lupanin. 



Lupinus luteus I P. . ; 



Uupinidin. 



- Lupinus niger ' (I^P!^^; 



Uupinidm. 



Lupinus perennis dextrorotatory-lupanin. 



Lupinidin is identical with spartein CigHaeNj (Muenk, 1914, p. 394). 



Callsen (1899) gives an extended account of the chemistry of the 

 alkaloids of Lupinus angustifoUus and L. perennis. Willstatter and 

 Fourneau (1902) give experimental evidence that the formula of 

 lupinin is CigHigON. Schmidt (1904) and Bergh (1904) in extended 

 papers discuss further the alkaloids and state that another alkaloid 

 is found in Lupinus perennis, oxylupanin (C15H24N2O2). 



Liebscher (1880), Lowenthal (1888), and Eaimondi (1891) give 

 details of the pharmacology of the lupine alkaloids. The action of 

 all is practically the same but differs quantitatively. Liebscher 

 states that lupinidin is 10 times as active as lupinin. There is a 

 direct paralysis of the medulla and cord, the respiratory center being 

 first paralyzed, and then the vasomotor. This is accompanied by 

 weakening of the heart. There is a fall in blood pressure, a slowing 

 of the pulse, and dilation of the pupils. Death is produced by 

 asphyxia, with which are associated convulsions. 



There is no curare action. The dose required to produce any 

 symptoms is ordinarily fatal. The alkaloids are less poisonous for 

 mammals than for cold-blooded animals. Small repeated doses pro- 

 duce no effect, nor do they establish a condition of tolerance. 



ICTROGEN. 



Early in the investigation of the poisoning of domestic animals in 

 northern Europe by lupines, causing the disease which came to be 

 known as "lupinosis," it was observed that these were not cases of 

 poisoning by the recognized alkaloids of the lupines. Lupinosis has 



