244 IMPORTANCE TO TOXICOLOOIST. 



Atropin-like Substances. — Many investigators have found putre- 

 factive products which in their mydriatic properties resemble atropin 

 and hyoscyamin. To this class belongs the substance observed by 

 Zuelzer and Sonnenschein. It was removed from alkaline solutions 

 by ether, and formed microscopic crystals, an aqueous solution of 

 which, when applied to the conjunctiva, produced a mydriatic effect, 

 and, when administered internally, increased the action of the heart 

 and arrested the movements of the intestines. Moreover, in its beha- 

 vior with certain alkaloidal reagents, such as platinum chlorid, it re- 

 sembled atropin ; but when heated with sulphuric acid and oxidizing 

 agents it did not give the odor of blossoms (Reuss's test). How- 

 ever, Selmi found ptomatropins which with sulphuric acid and oxi- 

 dizing agents did give the blossom odor as distinctly as the vegetable 

 atropin. These putrefactive bases also developed this odor sponta- 

 neously after standing for two or three days, and this does not 

 happen with atropin. The odor was produced with the ptomatro- 

 pins by nitric and sulphuric acids both in the cold and on the appli- 

 cation of heat, while these acids in the cold did not produce the odor 

 with atropin. Ptomatropins have been found in decomposing fish, 

 corned beef, putrid game, and poisonous sausage. It is not known 

 whether there is only one or more of these poisons. The symptoms 

 often resemble those of belladonna poisoning very closely. The 

 throat becomes dry, the muscles of deglutition seem to be paralyzed, 

 the secretion of perspiration and saliva is arrested, mydriasis may 

 be marked, and there may be paralysis of accommodation, ptosis, and 

 strabismus. In some instances delirium and in others convulsions 

 appear. The heart-beat becomes rapid and weak. The tongue is 

 coated, and in the most dangerous cases constipation is obstinate. 

 The general weakness may be extreme, and the voice wholly lost. 

 Section shows the pharynx swollen, hemorrhagic spots in the oesoph- 

 agus, stomach and intestines, cloudy swelling of the solitary fol- 

 licles and Foyer's patches, and degeneration of the heart muscle. 

 The brain, lungs, and kidneys are often hyperemic. Extracts of 

 putrid material will often cause more or less dilatation of the pupil 

 in the lower animals when applied locally. Haines and Vaughan 

 were once appointed a commission to inquire into the tests obtained 

 by a toxicologist who had reported four grains of atropin in the 

 stomach of a man who had been dead for some weeks. The chief 

 test relied upon by the chemist was that an ounce of extract from 

 the stomach dilated a cat's pupil about as much as a solution of four 

 grains per ounce of atropin sulphate. It is needless to comment on 

 the validity of such evidence. 



Digitalln-like Substances. — Edrsch and Fasbender discovered a 

 putrefactive base which affected animals very much like digitalin. 

 Trottarelli obtained a similar substance from the brain of a man in 



