353 
1889-90.] Mr Dott and Dr Stockman on Morphine. 
Another portion of the chloroplatinate was dried in air-bath at 
120° C. ’271 grm. incinerated left '0528 grm. Pt., which is = 19*48 
per cent. 
(C l7 H 19 N0 3 .CH 3 Cl) 2 PtCl 4 = 19*50 per cent. Pt. 
Physiological Action of Methylmorphium Chloride. 
The only previous investigation into the action of this body is 
that of Crum Brown and Fraser. Our results confirm theirs in 
some respects, but differ materially in others, and hence it may be well 
to give a summary of their experiments. They used the iodide and 
sulphate of methylmorphium, and performed the following experi- 
ments with them : — 20 grains of the iodide were given subcutaneously 
to a rabbit, suspended (but not dissolved) in 2 drachms water ; 30 
grains were given per os. Dr Fraser took \ and 1 grain. In no 
case was any visible effect produced. The iodide is, however, 
owing to its insolubility, an unsuitable salt for experiment, and 
would dissolve so very slowly that its effects might be inappreciable. 
Hence these observations may be left out of account. To get rid of 
this fallacy, they used the sulphate, which is quite soluble. Doses 
of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 grains gave marked symptoms, while 10 grains 
was fatal to rabbits in 55 minutes, and 15 grains in 7 minutes. 
On frogs they performed four experiments. One grain of iodide 
of methylmorphium caused paralysis, followed by recovery • 2 grains, 
paralysis, followed by death. Two experiments made with 1 grain 
of the sulphate caused death, preceded by paralysis. In neither 
case was the duration of the symptoms observed. Their conclusions 
are given as follows : — “ It has been proved in a most satisfactory 
manner that sulphate of methylmorphium possesses no convulsant 
action ; for neither in the experiments we have described in detail, 
nor in any of the others we performed with this substance, was 
there any trace of spasmodic action or of exaggeration of the reflex 
function. It, however, undoubtedly causes hypnotic symptoms. 
It would therefore seem that sulphate of methylmorphium agrees 
with morphia in possessing a hypnotic action, but differs from it in 
producing paralysis and in being free from all convulsant action.” 
They hold that the most prominent action of methylmorphium 
consists in paralysis of the terminations of motor nerves, and that 
this is the cause of the general paralysis. 
vol. xvn. 26/9/90 
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