340 BACTERIAL POISONS. 



to elucidate their physiology, and the possible connection 

 which they may have with the formation of urea, and of 

 the creatinine derivatives already described. 



Methyl-hydantoin, C^HjNjOj, = CO^jj^^jj J^" ^q". 



— This substance was obtained by Guaeeschi and Mosso 

 (1883), by extracting fresh meat with 1-1.5 volumes of 

 water (without addition of acid), for two hours at 50°-60°. 

 The aqueous extract was evaporated on the water-bath and 

 the residue was extracted with 95 per cent, alcohol. This 

 alcoholic solution, after the alcohol was driven off, was 

 taken up in water, filtered, and the aqueous solution was 

 first extracted with ether, then rendered alkaline with 

 ammonia, and again extracted with ether. The alkaline 

 ether extract gave on evaporation a white crystalline residue 

 of methyl-hydantom. The amount of this substance 

 present in flesh appears to be quite variable, since, at times, 

 none whatever can be extracted. Albertoni has isolated 

 it from dog's flesh. Previous to its discovery in flesh by 

 GuAKESGHi and Mosso, it was known for a long time as a 

 decomposition-product of various nitrogenous bases of the 

 body. Thus, Neubauee prepared it by heating creatin- 

 ine with barium hydrate, while Huppeet obtained it by 

 fusing together sarcosine with urea. As it occurs in muscle 

 it is probably derived from the creatine, though under 

 what conditions this splitting up takes place is not definitely 

 known. Acetic and lactic acids are incapable of effecting 

 this change. At all events, it belongs to the ureides, and 

 is intermediate between creatinine, sarcosine, and urea 

 Compare the above formula with that of creatinine, p. 226. 

 Methyl-hydantoin forms prisms which are easily soluble 

 in water and alcohol, and but slightly soluble in cold ether. 

 It melts at 156° (Salkowski) ; at 159°-160° (Guaeeschi 

 and Mosso). Its aqueous solution is slightly acid in reac- 

 tion. On strong heating it volatilizes. When fused with 

 potassium hydrate it gives off ammonia ; it reduces mercuric 

 nitrate in the cold. Treated with mercuric oxide it assumes 

 an alkaline reaction, and the filtrate on heating yields 



