ON THE MORPHIA SALTS OF COMMERCE. 
263 
of the Chemical Society/ vol. vi. p. 125, May, 1854), that morphia might he 
converted into codeia by the decomposition of an agent ready to part with 
the elements in question, and so produce the proposed effect. 
But easy as the transition of morphia into codeia appears, on a comparison 
of their respective rational formulae, the object was not attained by Mr. How, 
who came to the conclusion, that by any means at present within our reach, 
no great stimulus is afforded to us to prosecute inquiries for the production 
of this or other of the natural alkaloids. It is true that Mr. How obtained, 
by means of iodide of ethyl acting on morphia, a salt isomeric with hyclrio- 
date of codeia, but beyond isomerism it was in no way identical with it, for 
the base of the new salt was widely different in its physical and chemical pro¬ 
perties from codeia. Yet it has been thought by some eminent manufac¬ 
turers of morphia and codeia, that there is a tendency on the part of the 
former to change into codeia under the influence of certain agencies, and it 
would be an interesting feature if this point could be established. 
In following out some experiments, having in view the state of hydration, 
and the freedom from codeia of the morphia salts of commerce, I endea¬ 
voured, after examining samples from various sources, to confine myself more 
especially to those of different manufacturers, and I propose to report upon 
three specimens, each being of different make. Of each specimen 100 grains 
(of hydrochlorate of morphia) were dried at a temperature of 212°. 
No. 1. 100 grains. Weight after drying, 95 grains: loss, 5 grains. 
No. 2. 100 grains. „ „ 92 grains: loss, 8 grains. 
No. 3. 100 grains. „ „ 90*2 grains: loss, 9'8 grains. 
The characteristics of solubility were as follows :—• 
Ho. 1, immediately on contact with water, became dark in colour, and 
united to form a clot, taking some minutes to dissolve, and then forming a 
solution somewhat coloured. 
Ho. 2, on contact with water, became very slightly coloured, formed but 
little clot, and dissolved in less time considerably than the former, producing 
a solution slightly tinted. 
Ho. 3, not at all darkened on contact with water, remained pulverent, and 
separate, and dissolved with rapidity, forming a perfectly colourless solution. 
On precipitating a solutioh of 100 grains of hydrochlorate of morphia 
from each of the three specimens, the results were as follows :— 
No. 1. Precipitate, coloured yellow, and pulverent (dried at 212°) 79’7. 
No. 2. Pearly white, crystalline.76'7. 
No. 3. Less white, less crystalline.74'3. 
These precipitates were entirely soluble in a solution of caustic potash; and 
were scarcely acted upon by anhydrous ether. 
100 grains of acetate of morphia from each of three specimens were sub¬ 
jected to a temperature of 212°, and lost as follows :— 
No. 1. 100 grains. Weight after drying, 95 grains : loss, 5 grains. 
No. 2. 100 grains. „ „ 90 grains : loss, 10 grains. 
No. 3. 100 grains. „ „ 87*4 grains : loss, 12-6. 
Ho. 1, on applying the heat of a water bath, became dark-coloured, fused 
into a coloured mass, and finally lost its structure. 
Ho. 2, on applying a similar heat, became partially fused and dark-coloured, 
but scarcely lost its structure. 
Ho. 3 retained its pulverent form throughout the process. 
On an examination being made of the precipitates by ammonia from the 
hydrochlorate of morphia, they proved to be morphia in a high degree of 
purity, perfectly soluble in caustic potash, scarcely acted upon by ether, and 
