DR THOMAS R. FRASER ON STROPHANTHUS HISPIDUS. 1013 



Solution of Strophanthin in Water (1 or 2 per cent.). 



1. Concentrated, or 10 per cent, solutions of, sulphuric, nitric, hydrochloric, phosphoric, 

 and chromic acid, and concentrated acetic acid, each produced a slight haze even in a one 

 per cent, solution of strophanthin. When the solution was afterwards neutralised and 

 tested with Fehling's reagent, the reagent was in each case reduced. 



2. Sulphuric acid and bichromate of potassium also produced a slight opalescence, and the 

 solution, on being neutralised, reduced Fehling's reagent. 



3. Solutions of potash, soda, ammonia, lime, and baryta, of carbonate of ammonium, and of 

 phosphate of sodium, each caused the solution of strophanthin to become of a light yellow 

 colour ; but even after prolonged contact, the yellow solutions did not reduce Fehling's 

 reagent. The alkaline yellow fluids became deep reddish-brown when heated to 212° F., 

 and, at the same time, they lost much of their original bitterness, and apparently also 

 of their pharmacological activity. 



4. Solution of ferric chloride produced no change until sulphuric acid had been added, 

 when a faint opalescence occurred. When a drop of 0' 5 per cent, solution of strophanthin 

 in water was placed on a white porcelain slab, and a minute drop of solution of ferric 

 chloride, followed by a small drop of strong sulphuric acid, was added to it, a yellow 

 colour was first produced, and then streaks or patches of pink and blue were quickly 

 developed. In a short time, the whole assumed a dirty pale greenish-blue colour. 



5. Solution of nitrate of silver very slowly produced a reddish-brown colour and a 

 slight dark deposit. 



6. Phospho-molybdic acid slowly produced a bright green colour, which gradually 

 passed into greenish-blue. 



7. Tannic acid solution threw down a copious yellowish- white precipitate, which 

 redissolved until an excess of the acid had been added. 



8. Molybdate of ammonium in sulphuric acid produced a slight opalescence, and Fehling's 

 reagent afterwards revealed the presence of glucose in the neutralised solution. 



9. Negative results were obtained on the addition of chloride of gold, platinic chloride, 

 cobaltous chloride, acetate and subacetate of lead, mercuric chloride, mercurous nitrate, cupric 

 sulphate, ferro- and ferricyanide of potassium, chloride of barium, acid carbonate of potassium, iodide 

 of potassium, tri-iodide of potassium, tri-bromide of potassium, potassio-mercuric iodide, metatungstate 

 of sodium, potassio-bismuthic iodide, and potassio-cadmic iodide. 



Decomposition oj Strophanthin by Acids, &c. 



Glucose having been produced by the application to strophanthin of such of the 

 above reagents as were acid in reaction, it was indicated that this substance is a 

 glucoside. This indication has been rendered clear and unambiguous by the results of 

 other experiments, of which the following are given by way of illustration. 



To a colourless and clear 3 '3 per cent, of strophanthin in distilled water, sulphuric 



