THE PATENT MEDICINE STAMP, ETC. 
41 
.have been formed, nor is there any formation of chloride of methyl. The residue in the 
tube contains the hydrochlorate of a new base, differing considerably in its properties 
from morphia. It may be obtained in a state of purity by dissolving the contents of 
the tube in water, adding excess of bicarbonate of sodium, and extracting the precipitate 
with ether or chloroform, in both of which the new base is readily soluble, whilst 
morphia is almost insoluble in both menstrua. On shaking up the ethereal or chloro¬ 
form solution with a very small quantity of strong hydrochloric acid, the sides of the 
vessel become covered with crystals of the hydrochlorate of the new base. These may 
be drained from the mother liquors, washed with a little cold water, in which the salt is 
sparingly soluble, and re-crystallized from hot water and dried on bibulous paper or over 
sulphuric acid. 
“This hydrochlorate contains no water of crystallization. After drying in the water- 
bath, it yielded results on combustion with chromate of lead and oxygen agreeing with 
the formula C 17 H 17 N0 2 HC1. 
“ From a solution of the hydrochlorate in water, bicarbonate of sodium precipitates a 
snow-white non-crystalline mass, which speedily turns green on the surface by expo¬ 
sure to air, and is therefore difficult to obtain dry in a state of purity. This precipitate 
is the base itself. 
“ It hence appears that the new base is simply formed from morphia by the abstrac¬ 
tion of the elements of water. 
Morphia. New base. 
C 1 -H, 9 N0 3 = H 2 0+C,.H 1 .N0 2 . 
“ We propose to call the new base apomorphia, for reasons given subsequently. 
“ When the hydi'ocblorate of apomorphia in a moist state is exposed to the air for some 
time, or if the dry salt is heated, it turns green, probably from oxidation, as the change 
of colour is accompanied by an increase of weight. The base itself, newly precipitated, 
is white, but it speedily turns green on exposure to air. The green mass is partly solu¬ 
ble in water, communicating to it a fine emerald colour,—in alcohol yielding also a green 
tint, in ether giving a magnificent rose-purple, and in chloroform with a fine violet tint. 
“ The physiological effects of apomorphia are very different from those of morphia ; a 
very small dose produces speedy vomiting and considerable depression, but this soon 
passes off, leaving no after ill-effects,—facts of which we have repeatedly had disagree¬ 
able proof while working with it.” 
“ Dr. Gee is now studying these effects, and has found that J^th of a grain of the hydro¬ 
chlorate subcutaneously injected, or | grain taken by the mouth, produces vomiting in 
from four to ten minutes. Our friend Mr. Prus allowed himself to be injected with ^th 
grain, which produced vomiting in less than ten minutes. From Dr. Gee’s experiments 
on himself and others, he concludes that the hydrochlorate is a non-irritant emetic and 
powerful anti-stimulant. As from these properties it appears probable that it may come 
into use in medicine, we have called it apomorphia, rather than morphinine, to avoid 
any possible mistakes in writing prescriptions.” 
THE PATENT MEDICINE STAMP, ETC. 
The following is a copy of the plan for altering the duties payable on patent 
medicines, which Mr. Breton desired to bring before the annual meeting of the 
Pharmaceutical Society on the 19th of May :— 
“ Firstly,—That every person who shall make a medicine, either for internal 
or external use, affecting the human body, and having a printed label thereon, 
shall, for such medicine or medicines, obtain a certificate before he can prepare, 
from our or one of the other learned institutions competent to grant, and on the 
f xroduction of this certificate alone shall the excise be empowered to grant a 
icence to the manufacturer ; and for this licence I propose that the sum of one 
guinea shall be charged, and, further, to place the small manufacturer on the 
same footing as the large, I propose an additional sum of 5 per cent, on all 
goods over and above the first £200, retail value, and the returns shall be made 
