338 
Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinburgh. 
From the foregoing it is evident, as Schroeder and others have 
previously pointed out, that the action of codeine is qualitatively 
very similar to that of morphine. Its tetanising action and its 
action on motor nerves are very much greater, while its toxic effect 
is at least about three times larger. On the other hand, its narcotic 
power is about four times less than that of morphine (in rabbits). 
In man the narcotic effect is probably even much more diminished, 
but exact experiments are wanting to determine the extent. 
Ethylmorphine (Codethyline of Grimaux and Bochefontaine). 
This compound is the analogue of codeine, being the ethyl ether 
of morphine, whereas codeine is the methyl ether. We prepared 
the base by treating together morphine, soda, and ethyl iodide, in 
molecular proportions in alcoholic solution. The base was further 
separated and purified in substantially the same way as described 
under methocodeine. The hydrochloride was found to be very 
soluble in water, which fact interfered with its purification from 
that menstruum. From the hydrochloride, which had been re- 
crystallised both from water and from alcohol, the chloroplatinate 
was prepared. 
(a) *433 grin, (dry in water-bath) gave on ignition *0822 grm. 
Platinum = 18 - 98 per cent. 
(b) -3098 grm. (dry at 140° C.) gave *0588 grm. Platinum = 18-97 
per cent. 
2[Ci 7 Hi 8 (C 2 H 5 )N0 3 .HCl].PtCl 4 = 18-97 per cent. Pt. 
The alkaloid itself was prepared from the solution of its muriate 
by precipitation with ammonia, and recrystallisation from alcohol ; 
by which process it is obtained in well-defined prismatic crystals. 
In the air-bath the crystals fused at, or near, 190° C. 
Physiological Action of Ethylmorphine. 
The only observations on the pharmacology of this substance are 
contained in a short paper by Bochefontaine, who obtained it 
from Grimaux. He found that in frogs doses of 0-007 to 0 - 012 
grm. caused violent tetanic convulsions like those of strychnine. 
Rabbits died after 0*1 1 grm. subcutaneously, the symptoms being 
again violent tetanus. He considers that its action is the counter- 
part of the strychnine action. 
