ON ARNICINA. 
1G9 
it, for he proceeded in his research upon the assumption that, if 
arnica contained an alkaloid, it would be precipitated from its 
solution by ammonia. This failure of Versmann to eliminate the 
organic base of arnica is an evidence as to the necessity of, as [ 
have previously remarked, pharmaceutists using the improved 
methods in their investigations. 
The flowers of the arnica montana being that part of the plant 
in which its medical qualities are said to be most predominant, 
were selected for examination. 
They were subjected precisely to a similar process to that by 
which lobelina was extracted from lobelia inflata, the result of 
which was the elimination of an organic base, arnicina. This 
substance has a strong alkaline reaction. It combines with 
acids, forming a series of salts. When exposed to a high tem- 
perature it suffers decomposition, and leaves a carbonaceous 
residuum, consequently it is not volatile. 1 have not yet been 
able to ascertain whether it is crystallizable, in consequence of 
the smallness of the product which the flowers yielded ; but, as 
far as can be judged from its condition when obtained by 
evaporation from the ethereal solution, it has a disposition to 
assume that form. To the taste it is slightly bitter, but not 
acrid, and has the odour of castor. From the aqueous solutions 
of its salts it is precipitated by tincture of galls in somewhat 
dense flocks. Tt is slightly soluble in water, but much more so 
in alcohol and ether. When subjected to the action of caustic 
alkalies, it is decomposed. 
The hydrochlorate of arnicina, after being freed from its 
colouring matter by animal charcoal, forms stellated acicular 
transparent crystals. 
What are its peculiar therapeutic properties is a question that 
must remain for the skill of the physiologist to determine. This 
base, doubtless, deserves a more complete examination than it 
has received; but this task can only be accomplished by operat- 
ing on a large quantity of the flowers, as, independently of the 
small per centage of arnicina which the flowers primarily con- 
tain, much of it is unavoidably lost in each step of the process 
for its eduction. 
In conclusion, whilst again presuming to impress on the at- 
tention of pharmaceutists the necessary advantage of a thorough 
re-examination of those vegetable substances of remarkable 
character which have been pronounced to be destitute of alka- 
loids, as well as those which have received no examination at 
all worthy of being so called, let me observe in the words of 
Kopp, the author of a valuable memoir on the artificial forma- 
tion of alkaloids, that “ such a work would be within the domain 
of the pharmaceutist who, being perfectly familiar with the 
VOL. XXIV. A a 
