Ptomaines extracted from Urine in certain Infectious 
Diseases. By Dr A. B. Grififiths, F.R.S.E., F.C.S., &c. 
(Eead January 18, 1892.) 
The author has extracted ptomaines from the urine of patients 
suffering from certain infectious diseases by the following method : — 
(a) A considerable quantity of urine was made alkaline by the 
addition of a solution of sodium carbonate, and then agitated with 
half its volume of ether. {In) The ethereal solution (after standing) 
was filtered, and agitated with a solution of tartaric acid. The 
tartaric acid combines with any ptomaines present, forming soluble 
tartrates ; and the solution of tartrates forms the lower layer of the 
liquid mass, (c) The tartaric acid solution (after being separated 
from the ether) was also made alkaline by the addition of sodium 
carbonate, and was once more agitated with half its volume of ether. 
{d) The ethereal solution (after standing) was separated, and the 
ether allowed to evaporate spontaneously, (e) The residue (after 
drying over sulphuric acid) wms treated with water, an excess of 
pure calcium hydroxide added, and the mixture evaporated on a 
water-bath. The residue so obtained w*as treated with chloroform 
and filtered. The filtrate (after evaporation) yielded the ptomaine 
in an isolated and a crystalline condition. 
By this method the three following ptomaines were isolated : — 
(1) Fkom Scarlatina. 
The ptomaine is a white crystalline body, which is soluble in 
water. It has a slight alkaline reaction ; and it forms a white 
hydrochloride, a yellow aurochloride, a yellowish white precipitate 
with phosphomolybdic acid, a white precipitate with phosphotungstic 
acid, a yellow precipitate with picric acid ; and it is also precipitated 
by Nessler’s solution. 
VOL. XIX. 20/8/92 G 
