224 BACTERIAL POISONS. 



(swlne-plague of Billings). It is probably identical with 

 the base obtained by V. Schweinitz from the same germ, 

 although the formula ascribed to it by him is Ci^H32N2. 

 The free base has not been obtained. The hydrochloride 

 forms a light-yellow syrup which shows no tendency to 

 crystallize. It is soluble in water and in absolute alcohol, 

 and is somewhat hygroscopic. When heated with fixed 

 alkali it gives off a strong amine odor, such as is perceived 

 on evaporating the original culture-fluid, if it happens to be 

 alkaline in reaction. 



The platinochloride is obtained by precipitation as a light, 

 flesh-colored, granular precipitate. It is readibly soluble 

 in water, from which it can be reprecipitated by addition 

 of absolute alcohol. From aqueous solution, when allowed 

 to evaporate slowly, it crystallizes in long, thick needles. 



The mercurochloride is thrown down from solutions of 

 the hydrochloride in absolute alcohol, by alcoholic mercuric 

 chloride, as a heavy, white, granular precipitate. This 

 readily dissolves on the addition of a small quantity of 

 water, and can be perfectly reprecipitated by addition of 

 absolute alcohol. On treatment with hydrogen sulphide it 

 is readily decomposed, yielding the pure hydrochloride 



The aurochloride is very soluble in water and alcohol. 

 From the alcoholic solution it may be partially precipitated 

 by ether as a liglit-yellow, oily precipitate, whicli is adhe- 

 rent to the sides and bottom of the tube. 



Physiologioal Action. — The base is toxic only in rela- 

 tively large doses, as seen from the following experiment. 

 About 100 milligrammes, dissolved in a little water, were 

 injected subcutaneously into a young rat. The animal 

 was at first quiet, apparently unwilling to move. After 

 some ineflfectual attempts at jumping, it settled down in a 

 recumbent position, and when placed on its side was unable 

 to rise. Respiration was at first retarded, later increased, 

 but toward the end was again very slow. Convulsive tre- 

 mors shoolf the body at frequent intervals. The animal 

 kicked vigorously. Reflexes were present almost to the 

 end. As death approached, the red eyes whitened and took 

 on a glazed, opaque appearance. Death resulted in one 



