DIMETETLAMIN. 249 



which were kept for six weeks at 37°— 38°. Ehrenberg reported its 

 possible presence in poisonous sausage, and obtained it by growing a 

 bacillus from this source on intestines (1887). Morner (1896) found 

 it in fermented fish associated with di- and tri-methylamins and 

 cholin. Emmerling (1897) found it with the latter and a base CgH^jN 

 in the streptococcus decomposition of fibrin. In Brieger's method 

 methylamin is found in both the mercuric chlorid precipitate and fil- 

 trate. The mercury double salt is readily soluble in water, and can 

 thus be separated from any accompanying cadaverin or putrescin. 

 Methylamin is an inflammable gas of strong ammoniaeal odor, and 

 burning with a yellow flame. It is readily soluble in water, and its 

 solutions give reactions similar to those of ammonia. Its salts are, 

 as a rule, also soluble in both water and alcohol. 



The hydrochlorid, CHj.NHj.HCl, crystallizes in large deliques- 

 cent plates. On being heated with alkali, it gives ofi" the odor of 

 methylamin. 



The platinochlorid, (CHj.NHjj.HCn^PtCl, (Pt = 41.31 per cent.),' 

 yields hexagonal plates which usually occur heaped up in several 

 layers. It is soluble in about fifty parts of water at ordinary tem- 

 perature, and can be readily recrystallized from hot water. It is in- 

 soluble in absolute alcohol and in ether. 



The aurochlorid, CHj.NHj.HCl.AuClj + H^O, forms prisms 

 which are readily soluble in water. There is also a readily soluble 

 picrate. 



Methylamin does not possess any toxic action, even when given 

 in fairly large doses. This physiological indifierence is shared by 

 nearly all the monamins and diamins that have been obtained among 

 the products of putrefaction. 



Dimethylamin, (CH3)2.NH, has been found in putrefying gelatin, 

 ten days at 35° (Brieger, 1885); in yeast decomposing in covered 

 vessels for four weeks during summer (Brieger) ; in decomposing 

 perch six days in summer (Bocklisch) ; and in herring-brine (Bock- 

 lisch, 1886) ; in fermented fish (Morner, 1896). It has been found 

 in poisonous sausage, and in cultures of a bacillus, obtained from this 

 source, on liver and intestines (Ehrenberg, 1887). It is also formed 

 together with tri methylamin, when neuridin hydrochlorid is distilled 

 with sodium hydrate (Brieger, I., 23). It occurs in the mercuric 

 chlorid precipitate as well as filtrate. From cadaverin it can be sep- 

 arated by platinum chlorid, since cadaverin platinochlorid is difficultly 

 soluble in cold water, and recrystallizes from hot water, whereas the 

 dimethylamin double salt remains in the mother-liquor. In like 

 manner it can be separated from neuridin. From cholin it can be 



^The percentages given in the following pages are calculated from Au^l96.64 

 (Kriiss), Pt = 194.46 (Seubert), 01 = 35.37, = 15.96. 



