HISTORICAL SKETCH. 27 



following the same method which he had used in extracting 

 this poison from yeast, has been unable to obtain it from 

 other putrid material. Moreover, he was not always suc- 

 cessfiil in obtaining the poison from yeast. Sepsine was 

 not obtained in quantity sufficient to serve for an ultimate 

 analysis, hence, its composition remains unknown. 



In 1869 ZtJLZER and Sonnenschein prepared from 

 decomposed meat extracts a nitrogenous base, which in its 

 chemical reactions and physiological eifects resembled atro- 

 pine and hyoscyamine. When injected under the skin of 

 animals it produced dilatation of the pupils, paralysis of 

 the muscles of the intestines, and acceleration of the heart- 

 beat ; but it is uncertain and inconstant in its action. This 

 probably results from rapid decomposition taking plac« in 

 it, or to variations in its composition at different stages of 

 putrefaction. This substance has also been obtained from 

 the bodies of those who have died from typhoid fever, and 

 it may be possible that the belladonna-like delirium which 

 frequently characterizes the later stages of this disease is 

 due to the ante-mortem generation of this poison within 

 the body. 



Since 1870 many chemists have been engaged in making 

 investigations on the products of putrefaction. We can 

 only mention a few names at present, while others will be 

 referred to subsequently in discussing the individual pto- 

 maines. 



First of all stands the Italian Selmi, who suggested the 

 name ptomaine, and whose researches furnished us with 

 much information of value, and, what is probably of more 

 importance, gave an impetus to the study of the chemistry 

 of putrefaction, which has already been productive of much 

 good and gives promise of much more in the future. Selmi 

 showed that ptomaines could be obtained (1) by extracting 

 acidified solutions of putrid material with ether; (2) by 

 extracting alkaline solutions with ether ; (3) by extracting 

 alkaline solutions with chloroform ; (4) by extracting with 

 amylic alcohol ; and (5) that there yet remained in the solu- 

 tions of putrid matter ptomaines which were not extracted 

 by any of the above-mentioned reagents. In this way he 



