40 
APOMORPHIA. 
Crystallized Digitalin. 
M. C. A. Nativelle finds that crystallized digitalin often contains a notable 
quantity of another crystalline principle, which exists associated Math it in 
the digitalis but is inert and devoid of any bitter taste. This substance is 
insoluble in chloroform, while pure digitalin freely dissolves in that men¬ 
struum. M. Nativelle recommends the following method for obtaining pure 
digitalin in crystals :—100 parts of powdered digitalis are mixed with a solu¬ 
tion formed of 100 parts of water and 25 parts of crystallized acetate of lead ; 
after twelve hours’ maceration, this mixture is exhausted with water in a dis¬ 
placement apparatus. About 300 parts of liquid are thus collected, which may 
be set aside for the extraction of digitalein ; the digitalin remaining entirely 
in the residue. This residue is dried, and then exhausted by displacement with 
alcohol of 50° (sp. gr. 935). About 300 parts of alcoholic tincture are obtained, 
to which a solution of 4 parts of acetate of lead is added ; the mixture is 
filtered, and the decolorized liquid mixed with a solution of 2 parts of phos¬ 
phate of soda ; the precipitate is again separated, and the liquid distilled in a 
w r ater bath to recover the spirit. The residue of the distillation contains in 
suspension some small crystals and a pasty glutinous mass. These crystals 
are chiefly the inert substance already referred to ; the digitalin is in the 
glutinous mass. The whole is evaporated by the water bath to about 10 parts, 
and the dense liquid separated from the deposit, which is then w r ashed with 
a little cold water and spread on filter paper. From 2 to 3 parts of this 
matter are obtained ; it is dissolved by heat in twice its weight of alcohol of 
60° (sp. gr. 914), and allowed to crystallize in a cold place. The inert sub¬ 
stance deposits first, and after some days the digitalin separates out in 
yellowish radiating opaque crystals. The crystalline deposit is afterwards 
drained, washed slightly with weak spirit, redissolved in hot alcohol of 80° 
(sp. gr. 864), with a little animal charcoal, and again crystallized. These 
crystals are dried, powdered and agitated with 20 parts of pure chloroform ; 
the digitalin dissolves, leaving the inert substance insoluble. Upon distilling 
off the chloroform the crystallizable digitalin remains, still however possess¬ 
ing a yellow colour. It is further purified by animal charcoal and re-crys¬ 
tallization from alcohol. 1 part of pure crystallized digitalin may be obtained 
from 1000 parts of digitalis which has been exhausted by water. 
Crystallized digitalin is neutral, non-nitrogenous, without odour, and of an 
intense bitter taste, especially perceivable in the state of alcoholic solution. 
It dissolves in all proportions in cold chloroform; its purity may be recog¬ 
nized by this character. Rectified spirit dissolves about one-twelfth part 
in the cold, and one-half at the boiling-point. Absolute alcohol is a less 
perfect solvent. Ether, benzol, and water only take up traces. Sulphuric, 
nitric, and hydrochloric acids dissolve it with coloration. 
APOMORPHIA, A NEW BASE DERIVED FROM MORPHIA. 
In noticing the objects exhibited at the Conversazione of the Pharmaceutical Society 
in the last number of this Journal, we alluded to a new base which has recently been 
produced as the joint discovery of Dr. Matthiessen, F.R.S., and Mr. Wright, b!Sc., of 
St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. We were then only enabled to state that this base was 
produced from morphia, and that it possessed the properties of a powerful non-irritant 
emetic and contra-stimulant. Since the publication of that notice a paper by Dr. Mat¬ 
thiessen and Mr. Wright has been read before the Royal Society, an abstract of which 
has appeared in the ‘ Chemical News,’ and is as follows :— 
“ When morphia is sealed up with a large excess of hydrochloric acid, and heated to 
140°-150° for two or three hours, on opening the tubes after cooling, no gas is found to 
