CHEMISTRY OF THE PTOMAINES. 229 



Physiological Action. — The base possesses tlic property 

 of exciting the appetite ; it acts as a diaphoretic and above 

 all as a diuretic. 0.029 gramme given subcntaneously 

 to a gninea-pig produced in two and a half liours a loss 

 of 13.5 grammes in the weight of the animal. Tiic same 

 eifect is produced in birds. Strong doses (0.1 gramme per 

 kilogramme) produce fatigue and hebetude. 



A Base, CjjHjqN^, was obtained as early as 1868 by 

 OsER, who observed its formation during the fermentation 

 of pure cane-sugar by means of yeast. The hydrochloride 

 when dried in vacuo is said to form a white, very hygro- 

 scopic foliaceous mass, which soon becomes brown on expo- 

 sure to air. At first it imparts a burning taste, which is 

 soon replaced by a very bitter sensation. 



A Base corresponding to the formula CijHjgN^ was ob- 

 tained by Gautier and JEtard from the mother-liquors of 

 the platinochloride of the base CgHjjN. Very little is 

 known, however, in regard to the general properties of this 

 base, owing to the small quantity which could be isolated. 

 This base and the one obtained by Oser from the yeast- 

 fermentation of sugar, CjjHjjN^, and aselliue, CjjHjj]^^, 

 are the only ptomaines thus far isolated which arc known 

 to contain four atoms of nitrogen. 



The Platinochloride, C.7H38N,.2HCl.PtCl, (Pt = 

 27.52 per cent.), is readily soluble, and ciystallizes in 

 needles which possess a light-yellow flesh color. When 

 heated to 100°, it slowly decomposes, giving off a syringa- 

 like odor. 



AsELLiNB, C25H32N4, isolated by Gautier and MouR- 

 GUES (1888), together with five other bases from cod-liver 

 oil. (See p. 263.) It is present only in small quantity in 

 the oil. The name is derived from Asellus major, the great 

 codfish. The free base is thrown down from the solutions 

 of the hydrochloride by the addition of alkali, in amorphous 

 white floccules which arc almost insoluble in water. It is 

 almost colorless, but on exposure to the air becomes slightly 



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