BACTERIAL POISONS. 43 



much good. Selmi showed that ptomains could be obtained (1) 

 by extracting acidified solutions of putrid material with ether ; (2) 

 by extracting alkaline solutions with ether ; (3) by extracting alka- 

 line solutions with chloroform ; (4) by extracting alkaline solutions 

 with amylic alcohol ; and (5), that there yet remain in the solutions 

 of putrid matter ptomains that are not extracted by any of the above- 

 mentioned reagents. In this way he gave some idea of the great 

 number of alkaloidal bodies which might be formed among the 

 products of putrefaction, and the promising field thus discovered and 

 outlined was soon occupied by a busy host of chemists. In the sec- 

 ond place, he demonstrated the fact that many of the ptomains give 

 reactions similar to those observed with the vegetable alkaloids. 

 This led the toxicologist into investigations, the results of some oi 

 which we will ascertain further on. Selmi did not succeed in iso- 

 lating any putrefactive alkaloid, and all his physiological experiments 

 and chemical reactions were made with extracts. He remained 

 ignorant, except in a general way, of the composition of these bodies. 

 Nencki, in 1876, made the first ultimate analysis and determined the 

 first formula of a ptomain ; this was an isomer of collidin, which 

 will be described later. 



Rorsch and Fassbender, in a case of suspected poisoning, obtained 

 a liquid which could be extracted from acid as well as alkaline solu- 

 tions by ether, and which gave all the general alkaloidal reactions ; 

 but they were unable to crystallize and isolate it. They believed that 

 this substance was derived from the liver, since fresh ox liver treated 

 in the same manner gave them an alkaloid which could be extracted 

 from ether as well as from acid or alkaline solution. In some of its 

 reactions this substance resembles digitalin. Gunning found a sim- 

 ilar body in liver sausage from which poisoning had occurred. 



Sohwanert, while examining the decomposing intestines, liver and 

 spleen of a child that had died suddenly, perceived a peculiar odor 

 and obtained by the Stas-Otto method (ether extract from alkaline 

 solution) small quantities of a base which was distinguished from 

 nicotin and coniin by its greater volatility and its odor. He sup- 

 posed that this substance was produced by decomposition, and in 

 order to ascertain the truth of this supposition, he took the organs 

 of a cadaver that had lain for sixteen days at a temperature of 30° 

 and was well decomposed. These were treated with tartaric acid and 

 alcohol, and the acid solution was first extracted with ether but 

 yielded no result; it was then rendered alkaline and extracted with 

 ether. The latter extract gave, on evaporation, the same substance 

 which had been found in the organs of the child. The residue was a 

 yellowish oil, having an odor somewhat similar to propylamin. It 

 was repulsive, but not bitter to the taste, and alkaline in reaction. 

 On the addition of hydrochloric acid it crystallized in white need- 

 les, which were freely soluble in water, but soluble with diificulty in 



