CHEMISTRY OF THE PTOMAINES. 211 



peristaltic action of the intestines, ejaculation of semen, 

 dribbling of urine, and, finally, violent clonic convulsions. 

 In the case of mice and guinea-pigs the convulsions are 

 prominent immediately after the injection of the poison. 



PtJTEESCiNB Hydrochloride, C^Hi2N2.2HC1, forms 

 long colorless needles, which are very easily soluble in 

 water ; difficultly so in dilute alcohol ; entirely insoluble in 

 absolute alcohol, and can thus be separated from cadav- 

 erine hydrochloride. To accomplish this separation it is, 

 perhaps, better to dissolve the mixture of the hydrochlo- 

 rides in hot 96 per cent, alcohol. On cooling the solution 

 thus obtained, the putrescine salt crystallizes out, whereas 

 that of cadaverine remains in solutiou. Putrescine hydro- 

 chloride differs from cadaverine hydrochloride in that it is 

 not hygroscopic and can be exposed for days to the air 

 without suffering any change on the surface of the crystals. 



For the behavior of the free base and the hydrochloride 

 to alkaloidal reagents, see Table I. Putrescine is not toxic, 

 though it possesses some marked physiological properties 

 (see Cadaverine, page 215). According to Scheurlen 

 putrescine, like cadaverine, produces inflammation, suppu- 

 ration, and necrosis. It is not poisonous to dogs (Udran- 

 SZKY and Baumann). It is optically inactive. 



The Platinochloride, C,H,2N,.2HCl.PtCl, (Pt = 

 39.16 per cent.), often appears under the microscope in the 

 form of cholesterine-like plates. In the pure condition it 

 appears as six-sided plates, which are superposed in layers. 

 The crystals possess a splendid silvery lustre, and are rather 

 difficultly soluble in cold water ; less so in hot water. 



The AoROCHLORiDE, C\Hi2N2.2HC1.2AuCl3 + 2H,0, 

 crystallizes likewise in plates, which are difficultly soluble 

 in cold water. It can, therefore, be readily separated from 

 cadaverine aurochloride, which is easily soluble in water. 

 The water of crystallization can be driven off completely 

 only at 110° (Brieger). According to Bocklisch, it 

 loses this water on standing over sulphuric acid, or on 

 heating at 100°. 



The PiCRATE, C,H,2]Sr2.2C5H,(N02)30H, is difficultly 

 soluble, and crystallizes from a hot aqueous solution in 



