49 A method of preparing Strychnia. [Jan. 
V.—A method of preparing Strychnia. By J.T. Pearson, Esq. Assistant 
Surgeon. 
The enormous price of 120 rupees having been paid at the Hon’ble 
Company’s Dispensary for a single half ounce of strychnia; it became 
my duty to attempt to prepare it, by a process, more expeditious and 
less expensive, than that recommended in the formulary of Magendie* ; 
and which, at the same time, should be equal to the demands made upon 
the department. I hope that both these objects have been effected by 
the following method: 
Infuse a determined quantity of Nux Vomica in boiling distilled 
water, until it becomes soft; take it from the liquid, bruise it coarsely 
in a large metal mortar, and treat it with successive infusions of boil- 
ing distilled water, till it becomes nearly tasteless. Strain the liquids, 
and having mingled them together, boil with calcined magnesia for half 
an hour, and collect the precipitate upon a filter of fine muslin. When 
the precipitate has become free from the liquid, wash it gently, twice, 
as it lies on the filter, with cold distilled water, and afterwards dry it 
upon a water bath. 
Treat the precipitate, dried as above-mentioned, with successive por- 
tions of boiling alcohol, sp. g. .838, or stronger, until it becomes 
quite exhausted, then mix the whole of the filtered alcoholic liquid, and 
evaporate in a water bath, tilla thickcrust forms upon the surface ; set it 
aside to crystallize for twelve hours; pour off the mother waters, and 
collect and dry the strychnia upon filtering paper. 
In this state, the strychnia is in small, but by no means microscopic, 
irregular crystals, of a light-brown colour; and it may be purified by 
redissolving and re-crystallizing it in boiling alcohol, or by pouring 
over it portions of rectified ether. 
* The following is the process given by Magendie. “ Add a solution of liquid 
subacetate of lead to asolution of alcoholic extract of the Nux Vomica in water, 
until no more precipitate be thrown down ; the foreign matters being thus separat- 
ed, the strychnine remains in solution, with a portion of colouring matter, and 
sometimes an excess of acetate of lead. Separate the lead by sulphuretted hydrogen, 
filtrate it, and boil with magnesia, which will unite with the acetic acid, and preci- 
pitate the strychnine. Wash the precipitate in cold water, redissolve it in alcohol, 
to separate the excess of magnesia, and by evaporating the alcohol, the strychnine 
is obtained in a state of purity. If it be still not perfectly white, it must he redis- 
solved in acetic or hydrochloric acid, and reprecipitated by means of magnesia.’ 
To prepare the alcoholic extract, the Nux Vomica must be rasped and exhausted 
by repeated macerations in alcohol, which must then be evaporated ; a process the 
tediousness of which can only be duly appreciated by those who have tried it, and 
which it was my object to avoid. 
