Aconitine, fyc, in relation to their Chemical Constitution. 347 



observed (though, in an opposite direction), after the administration 

 of aconitine and benzaconine can be observed in the action of aconine. 

 Aconine cannot be classed as a poisonous alkaloid, very large 

 doses being necessary to produce death even in frogs. 



The results of this inquiry, which has occupied the authors for 

 the greater part of four years, brings out in a most striking manner 

 the almost complete dependence of the extraordinary toxic power 

 and pharmacological action of the aconitine molecule on the presence 

 of the radical (acetyl) of acetic acid, whilst, in a lesser degree, the 

 action of benzaconine is seen to depend on the existence in the 

 molecule of this alkaloid of the radical (benzoyl) of benzoic acid. 

 The inertness of the alkaloid, aconine, denuded of both the aceiyl 

 and benzoyl groups of aconitine seems to the authors to be one of 

 the most interesting facts in chemical pharmacology. From the 

 practical point of view the authors regard the demonstration of the 

 antagonism of aconine and benzaconine towards aconitine as an 

 important result of this investigation, which, taken as a whole, it is 

 believed will throw into clearer light the mode of action of the 

 alkaloids of Aconitum napellus. 



The chemical part of this inquiry, for which one of us (D.) is 

 responsible, has been conducted at first in the Research Laboratories 

 of the Pharmaceutical Society, and afterwards in the Scientific 

 Department of the Imperial Institute. The pharmacological experi- 

 ments have been made in the Department cf Pharmacology, in the 

 University of Aberdeen. 



In conclusion, we desire to acknowledge the assistance which has 

 been rendered to our work by the Hoyal Society, which has made 

 several grants from the Government Fund, and we wish to express 

 our indebtedness on the chemical side to those whose names have 

 been referred to, and especially to Mr. Francis H. Carr, Salters 

 Research Fellow in the Laboratories of the Imperial Institute. In 

 the conduct of the pharmacological experiments Dr. Robb, Dr. Find- 

 lay, and Dr. Arthur Lister have rendered valuable service. 



vol. LXTI. 



