236 BACTERIAL POISONS. 



The Chloride, CJIjjN.Cl, is extremely poisonous, and 

 crystallizes in fine hygroscopic needles. 



The Platinochloride, (C^Hi^N.ClXPtCl, (Pt = 33.60 

 per cent.), is difficultly soluble in hot water, and crystallizes 

 in beautiful, well-formed octahedra belonging to the regular 

 system. No twin-crystals are observed. Sometimes the 

 crystals contain water of crystallization, at other times they 

 do not_ (Brieger, I., 33). According to Liebreich, it 

 forms from an aqueous solution in five- or six-sided, heaped- 

 up plates resembling urea nitrate, while from an alcoholic 

 solution it forms needles, which on exposure to air become 

 opaque, and are partially converted into the oxyethyl base 

 — choline. 



The AuROCHLOMDE, C5H12N.CI.AUCI3 (An = 46.37 

 per cent.), forms flat prisms, which are difficultly soluble . 

 in hot ^\'ater (Brieger.) Dissolves easily, and can be 

 purified by crystallization (Liebreich). 



Physiological Action. — Neuriue is exceedingly poisonous, 

 even in small doses, and in its action it strongly par- 

 takes of the characteristic stamp of poisoning by muscarine. 

 The injection of a few milligrammes into frogs produces 

 in a short time a complete paralysis of the extremities, with 

 deadening of reflex excitability. Respiration stops first, 

 while the rate of heart-beat gradually decreases till, finally, 

 stoppage in diastole takes place. The injection of atropine 

 at this point does away with the effect of neurine, so that 

 the heart begins to beat again. Previously atropinized 

 frogs, as a rule, withstand the action of the poison. Im- 

 mediately after the introduction of this substance there can 

 be observed a distinct period of exaltation, which, however, 

 soon gives way to the characteristic stage of depression seen 

 in the progressive slowing of the rate of heart-beat. Of 

 the warm-blooded animals, cats seem to be much more 

 sensitive to its action than mice, rabbits, or guinea-pigs. 

 The symptoms seen in rabbits are profuse moistening of the 

 nasal cavities and upper lip, which is succeeded by an in- 

 tensely profuse salivation ; later on there is noticeable an 

 abundant secretion from the nasal mucous membrane and 

 from the eyes ; the latter, however, ceases in a short time. 



