2J:6 



By the action of dilute nitric acid choline is converted 

 into a base the platinochloride of which is efflorescent and 

 corresponds to the formula (C,Hi„NP3Cl)PtCl, + 2Hp 

 (ScHMiEDEBERG and Harnack). 



According to Maitthner, choline resembles the caustic 

 alkalies in its action. Although putrefying blood decora- 

 poses it into trimethylamiue, yet, when present in the pro- 

 portion of 1.4 per cent., it is said to arrest putrefaction. 

 A 1 to 2 per cent, solution is said to dissolve fibrin or 

 coagulated albumin on boiling. 



The free base, as well as the carbonate, is dimorphous 

 and forms thin plates or long needles. 



The Chloride, CjHj^NO.Cl, is easily soluble in water 

 and in absolute alcohol (separation from neuridine hydro- 

 chloride). It crystallizes over sulphuric acid to needles 

 which readily deliquesce in the air. 



The Platinochloride, (QHi.NO.CO.PtCI, (Pt = 

 31.64 per cent.), presents an interesting case of trimorph- 

 ism. It crystallizes in monoclinic plates (E,inne) which 

 are easily soluble in water, insoluble in alcohol ; also in 

 characteristic superposed plates, sometimes in the form of 

 orange-red flat prisms (Brieger). From a warm saturated 

 solution containing 15 per cent, alcohol it crystallizes in 

 yellow regular octahedra containing one molecule of water 

 of crystallization (Jai-ins); from aqueous solution on slow 

 evaporation it forms plates, clinorhombic prisms, or needles 

 (PIoppe-Seyler) which are anhydrous. When rapidly 

 crystallized it forms prisms (Hundeshagen, Jahns, 

 Schulze) ; and if the solution is concentrated the prisms 

 are very thin, almost needles. According to Schulze, it 

 sometimes forms beautiful orange-red, chiefly six-sided 

 plates. Jahns maintains that the plates and prisms be- 



