354 ANALYSIS OP DEADLY NIGHTSHADE. 



Muchprussic If we admit therefore, that the saltpetre contained in 

 monia furnish- ^^® ^ S^' ^^ *^^^ principle gave rise to some prussic acid and 

 ed by the ex- ammonia, we ought not to infer, that the vegetable matter 

 in question furnished none. That it did is the more pro- 

 bable, because its solution was precipitated by infusion of 

 galls. Be it as it may, this experiment shows, that it is 

 difficult to judge from distillation, whether organic matter 

 containing saltpetre be of a vegetable or animal nature. 

 It abounds in The results of this analysis, though hitherto very rude, 

 di<jals"^^' ^ ^^ ^'"^ sufficient however to show, that the substance, which 

 constitutes the subject of them, contains a great deal of 

 charcoal, hidrogen, and nitrogen, and but little oxigen, if 

 we may judge from the small quantity of carbonic acid form- 

 ed during its decomposition by fire, 

 which are pro- From what has been said may we be allowed to suppose, 

 ^J^[y*J^^jg^"'® that the narcotic effects, which belladonna produces in the 

 animal economy, are ovi'ing to the superabundance of com- 

 bustible radicals, and particularly to that ®f the charcoal 

 over that of the oxigen in the principle of this plant so- 

 luble in spirit of wine? Without pretending to assert this, 

 it is nevertheless certain, that all the vegetable matters, 

 which produce analogous effects, are rich in charcoal, hi- 

 drogen, and nitrogen, while substances greatly oxigenated 

 produce contrary effects, 

 particularly as- It must be confessed too, that a great many vegetable 

 sisted by ni- products equally abundant in these two principles do not 

 possess the same qualities; but the nitrogen, which is al- 

 ways found associated with hidrogen and charcoal in the 

 somniferous plants, does not exist, at least in similar quan- 

 tity, in the others. 



Examination of the part of belladonna insoluble 

 in alcohol. 

 Part insoluble 1. This matter dissolved in water communicates to it the 

 mS?"^ ''''*' property of frothing when shaken. 



2. The solution is copiously precipitated by aqueous in- 

 fusion of galls. 



3. Nitrate of barytes causes in it a precipitate partly 

 soluble in nitric acid. 



4. Muriate 



