September 16,1871.] THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
223 
matter was separated by filtration; then the liquid 
was evaporated to a syrupy consistence and precipi¬ 
tated by absolute alcohol. This new treatment 
yields a blackish body, which was dissolved in water 
and precipitated by dilute hydrochloric acid. The 
resulting product, which was the impure cathartic 
acid of Dragendorff and Kubly, was dissolved with 
heat in proof spirit. Finally, the solution so ob¬ 
tained having been partially evaporated, and ex¬ 
actly saturated by a weak solution of potash, the 
cathartic acid was again set free by hydrochloric 
acid. One kilogram of senna yields six to seven 
grams of cathartic acid so purified. 
This acid is insoluble in water. In order to ad¬ 
minister it in an aqueous solution, and in a state 
analogous to that in which it appears to exist in the 
plant, that is to say as a salt, it was exactly satu¬ 
rated with a weak solution of potash, so as to obtain 
a one per cent, solution ; each gram of this solution 
consequently answering to a centigram of cathartic 
acid. 
Physiological Effects. —The solution of cathartic 
acid so prepared, was given to children of from six 
to fifteen years of age, in doses of from 15 to 30 
grams. Of seven patients who had taken the 
smaller dose, in four cases it was without effect; of 
the other three cases, in one there was one stool, in 
one three, and in one four, without nausea or 
vomiting, but with some griping. In two other cases 
where 30 centigram doses were given, but one 
single evacuation resulted, without nausea, vomiting 
or pain. 
It appears, therefore, that the cathartic acid does 
not by itself represent the whole of the purgative 
action of senna. Supposing that senna contained 
one-hundredtli part of its weight of this acid, which 
is certainly the maximum, 30 centigrams would 
correspond to 30 grams of the leaves, and, conse¬ 
quently, to 30 grams of the liquid extract. It has 
been shown that the latter, with this dose, exercises 
a much more energetic action. 
G. Crysophanic Acid. 
It has been remarked that the catliartine of Las- 
saigne and Feneulle was not a definite principle, but 
should be considered to be a mixture of many sub¬ 
stances, of which one at least is purgative. Without 
seeking to define exactly the nature of this mixture, 
which one of the authors intends to do ulteriorly, it 
appeared interesting to ascertain to which portion of 
the product the purgative properties of catliartine 
might be attributed. This was done in the follow¬ 
ing manner:— 
The catliartine was briskly agitated with ether, 
deprived of alcohol, and this treatment was repeated 
many times, as the exhaustion is difficult. The 
ethereal solution, of a strong yellow colour, was eva¬ 
porated in a water-batli. The residue having been 
talien up by absolute alcohol, the filtered solution 
was evaporated to the consistence of ag extract. A 
product, containing two different principles, was thus 
obtained, one of them a colouring matter, and the 
other possessing all the properties of the acid still 
indefinitely described under the name of chryso- 
phanic acid. This substance is nearly insoluble in 
water, strongly soluble, on the contrary, in alcohol; 
and in ether; its solution, which is yellowish, and 
reddens toumesol paper, acquires a beautiful red 
colour under the influence of alkalis. The salts so 
formed are verv soluble in water, which allows of the 
separation of the organic acid by means of acetic 
acid. This product was made up into pills, each 
containing 10 centigrams. 
With a. dose of CO centigrams there was no 
effect. With a dose of 1 gram a decided purgative 
effect was obtained. 
However, it is willingly acknowledged that the ac¬ 
tion of crysoplianic acid would not be precisely the 
same as in these experiments, since in these it was 
not used in a state of purity. It is proposed in an¬ 
other investigation to operate with crysoplianic acid, 
obtained from rhubarb, and not from senna, this last 
appearing to contain but a very small quantity, 
which explains why the presence of the acid in it 
has been doubted by some experimenters. 
From the preceding result, it would appear that 
the purgative principle contained in catliartine should 
be present in the portion insoluble in ether. This, 
in fact, is found to be the case. Deprived by ether 
of all matter soluble in that vehicle, catliartine has 
given the following results. Upon a patient fourteen 
years old, 2 grams in a draught produced uneasi¬ 
ness, loss of ajipetite, nausea, some griping, and five 
evacuations. In a second case, upon a young girl 
of twelve years and a boy of the same age, the same 
dose gave rise to exactly similar symptoms. 
Conclusions. 
It results from the facts mentioned in this memoir 
that senna cannot be classed with the plants that 
possess but a single purgative principle. It is evi¬ 
dent that to tills circumstance must be attributed the 
difficulties that have hitherto been experienced in 
the analysis of this substance, and the uncertainty 
which exists still in science concerning the nature 
of its active principle. 
It has been clearly shown that no single one of 
the constituent principles of the plant, taken by 
itself, can pretend to represent the whole of its 
general properties. In other words, besides chryso- 
plianic acid, which only exists in small quantity, 
senna contains at least two other purgative princi¬ 
ples : one represented by cathartic acid; the other 
contained in the preparation of Lassaigne and Fe¬ 
neulle improperly called catliartine. This conclusion 
is evident, as the authors have satisfied themselves, 
that cathartine contains no trace of cathartic acid. 
As a general result of this inquiry, it appears that 
the best preparation of senna is the infusion, with or 
without the mucilaginous matter,—such as that de¬ 
scribed in this memoir under the name of liquid ex¬ 
tract, for example,—since only such a preparation 
contains all the purgative principles of the plant.— 
Journ. Pharm. Chim. (4) xii. 305. 
OPIUM PRODUCTION IN EUROPE, 
BY DU. C. O. HABZ. 
Some fifty years ago experiments to produce opium 
in Europe were made which were so successful as to 
strongly recommend to the farmer the cultivation of 
poppy. 
In Germany and Austria the idea did not find 
much favour, and was soon forgotten, while in I ranee 
it was taken up and carried out on a large scale. 
The cultivation of poppy increased year after year, 
and it now occupies about 50,000 acres, of the value 
of four and a half million francs, yielding two mil¬ 
lion francs of opium a year. More recently Mr. 
