336 BACTERIAL poisoisrs. 



between these bases. The importance of the subject is such 

 as to require not only confirmation of the results arrived at 

 by Gautiee, but also a more detailed and exact study of 

 the chemical and physiological behavior of these bodies. 



To the physiological chemist these substances are of 

 especial interest because of the possible relation which they 

 bear to the formation of creatine and creatinine in the 

 muscle. It will be seen that in the leucomaines of this 

 group, as well as in those of the uric acid group, hydro- 

 cyanic acid plays a very important part in the molecular 

 structure of these bases. Just what the function of this 

 cyanogen group is, so far as the vital activity of the tissues 

 is concerned, we know very little, though recent investiga- 

 tions seem to show that the seat of the cyanogen formation 

 lies within the nucleated cell, and is intimately connected 

 with the functions of the nuclein molecule. 



Ceuso-cebatinine, CjHgN^O, forms orange-yellow crys- 

 tals which are slightly alkaline in reaction, and possess a 

 somewhat bitter taste. It yields a soluble, non-deliquescent 

 hydrochloride crystallizing in bundles of needles ; also a 

 soluble platinochloride which forms tufts of beautiful, 

 slender prisms. The aurochloride is obtained as slightly 

 soluble, crystalline grains, and, like the platinum double 

 salt, is partially decomposed on heating. It is not precipi- 

 tated by acetate of zinc or by mercuric nitrate, but is pre- 

 cipitated in the cold by solutions of alum. Zinc chloride 

 produces in somewhat concentrated solutions a pulverulent 

 precipitate which dissolves on heating, and recrystallizes 

 again when it cools. Like xantho-creatinine, it is not thrown 

 out of solution by oxalic or nitric acid, and is thus distin- 

 guished from urea and guanidine ; nor is it precipitated by 

 acetate of copper — a distinction from xanthine derivatives. 

 Mercuric chloride produces an abundant flocculent precipi- 

 tate which on heating partially dissolves, decomposing at 

 the same time. Sodium phosphomolybdate gives a heavy 

 yellow precipitate, whereas potassium mercuro-chloride and 

 iodine in potassium iodide have no effect. Potassium ferri- 

 cyanide is not reduced. This base differs in its composition 



