116 APPLIED BACTERIOLOGY 



Most of the ptomaines are powerful nitrogenous bases 

 having an alkaline reaction, and combining with acids to 

 form salts, which are soluble in water but less so in alcohol. 

 In many cases they yield striking reactions with the usual 

 alkaloidal reagents, but these are rarely characteristic. 



The chemical constitution of the ptomaines, like the 

 plant alkaloids, is very complex. They can be mainly 

 classed as (a) Amines ; (b) Ammonium bases ; (c) Pyridine 

 derivatives ; (cZ) Imido-bases ; (e) Amido-acids, in addition 

 to a large number of bodies, the constitution of which is at 

 present unknown. 



Leueomaines. — Gautier first pointed out the fact that 

 certain bodies of an alkaloidal nature are produced within 

 and by the living tissues of the animal body. These are 

 without doubt the result of the metabolism of the pro- 

 toplasm, or they may be the result of the decomposition of 

 albuminoid substances within the body. The leueomaines 

 exist in very small quantity in normal urine, but they very 

 largely increase in quantity in certain diseases. 



The following are some of the principal ptomaines : 



Cadaverin, C5H14N2 — Pentamethylene-diaTnine. — This is 

 a thick syrupy, transparent, volatile liquid with a very 

 unpleasant smell. It is produced in cultures of the 

 Spirillw)n cholerce Asiaticce, and the spirillum of Finkler 

 and Prior, which have been kept for a month or more at a 

 temperature of 37° C. 



Putrescin, C^HigNg (Bimethyl-ethylene-diamine).— This 

 base strongly resembles cadaverin, and is frequently found 

 associated with it. This ptomaine was first obtained by 

 Brieger from various sources, most abundantly from sub- 

 stances containing gelatine in a very advanced state of 

 decomposition. It is obtained in the form of a hydrate, 

 which is a transparent liquid having a boiling-point of 

 about 135° C. 



