260 CHEMISTRY OF THE PTOMAINS. 



The hydrochlorid, Ci„HjjN.HCl, crystallizes in colorless choles- 

 terin-like plates which are somewhat deliquescent. 



The platinochlorid, (C,„Hj^N.HCl),Pta, (Pt = 27.52 per cent.), 

 forms a light flesh-colored, crystalline precipitate, and is insoluble 

 in water, alcohol and ether. It does not resinify, and is stable at 

 100°. 



In its action this ptomain resembles curara, although it is by no 

 means as strong. 0.012 gram of the free base produced in a frog 

 dilatation of the pupil and slowing of the respiration. The nostrils 

 were motionless, and within five hours complete paralysis of the 

 muscles took place. The reflex excitability gradually diminished 

 until it finally disappeared. An orange-blossom odor was observed 

 about the frogs which were poisoned by this ptomain. The same 

 amount of ptomain injected into a greenfinch produced vomiting, 

 and a condition of weakness and decreased sensibility, followed soon, 

 however, by recovery, A rat was not affected by 0.020 gram of the 

 free base. The hydrochlorid acts much more energetically. 



A Base, Cj^Hj^N, was isolated by O. de Coninck, in 1886 (Hu- 

 gounenq, page 21, C. Rendus, 1888), from sea-polyps in an advanced 

 stage of putrefaction, together with the base CjHjjN. The method 

 employed for its extraction was that of Gautier and Etard (see page 

 233). Nesbitt (1899) obtained a similar, if not identical, base from 

 the intestinal contents of a dog after previous ligature of the lower 

 part of the intestine. It was associated with cholin and neurin. It 

 forms a slightly yellow, viscous liquid, and possesses a pleasant odor 

 resembling that of blooming broom. Its density is about 1.18. It 

 boils at about 230° (uncorrected), with initial decomposition. In 

 water it is but slightly soluble, readily so in ether, alcohol, acetone, 

 and ligroin. It is rapidly oxidized by the air, becomes brown, and 

 resinifies but does not absorb carbonic acid. 



The hydrochlorid, CjjHjjN.HCl, forms fine yellowish, very deli- 

 quescent needles which in the presence of a trace of air are at once 

 colored red ; if more air is present the red changes to a brown, and 

 in the open air a resin is formed the same as from the free base. It 

 is very easily soluble. 



The hydrobromid, Cj„HjjN.HBr, crystallizes in a network of 

 fine deliquescent needles which become likewise red on exposure to 

 air. It is very soluble in water ; less so in strong alcohol, and 

 almost insoluble in ether. 



The platinochlorid, (Ci„Hj5N.HCl)3PtCl^, forms a dark-red pow- 

 der which is insoluble in cold water ; very soluble in warm water. 

 It can be kept in dry air ; in moist air, it loses hydrochloric acid 

 and becomes partially oxidized. Boiling water decomposes it. 

 (CigHj5N.Cl)2PtCl2 forms clear brown plates which are stable in 

 moist air, and melt at 206°. It is insoluble in cold water, soluble in 



