ACONITINE. 
§ 446.] 
from eating a small quantity of aconite root, the only morbid 
appearance found was a slight reddish-brown patch on the cardiac 
end of the stomach, of the size of half a crown ; all the other organs 
being healthy. 
§ 446. Separation of Aconitine from the Contents of the Stomach 
or the Organs. —It would appear certain that in all operations 
for the separation of aconite alkaloids (whether from the organic 
matters which make up the plant, or from those constituting 
animal tissues), mineral acids and a high heat should be avoided. 
A 1 per cent, sulphuric acid does not, however, hydrolyse, if acting 
in the cold. 
The chemical examination in the Lamson case was entrusted to Dr 
Stevenson, assisted by Dr Dupre, and was conducted on the principles 
detailed. The contents of the stomach were treated with alcohol, and 
digested at the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere ; the contents 
were already acid, so no acid in this first operation was added. The mix¬ 
ture stood for two days and was then filtered. The insoluble portion 
was now exhausted by alcohol, faintly acidulated by tartaric acid, and 
warmed to 60°, cooled and filtered, the insoluble part being washed again 
with alcohol. The two portions—that is, the spirituous extract acid 
from acids pre-existing in the contents of the stomach, and the alcohol 
acidified by tartaric acid—were evaporated down separately, exhausted 
by absolute alcohol, the solutions filtered, evaporated, and the residue dis¬ 
solved in water. The two aqueous solutions were now mixed, and shaken 
up with ether, which, as the solution was acid, would not remove any 
alkaloid, but might remove various impurities ; the residue, after being 
thus partially purified by ether, was alkalised by sodic carbonate, and the 
alkaloid extracted by a mixture of chloroform and ether. On evapora¬ 
tion of the chloroform and ether, the resulting extract was tested 
■ physiologically by tasting, and also by injections into mice. By means 
analogous to those detailed, the experts isolated aconitine from the vomit, 
the stomach, liver, spleen, and urine, and also a minute quantity of mor¬ 
phine, which had been administered to the patient to subdue the pain 
during his fatal attack. When tasted, the peculiar numbing, tingling 
sensation lasted many hours. These extracts were relied upon as evidence, 
for their physiological effect was identical with that produced by aconi¬ 
tine. For example, the extract obtained from the urine caused symp¬ 
toms to commence in a mouse in two minutes, and death in thirty 
minutes ; and the symptoms observed by injecting a mouse, with known 
aconitine coincided in every particular with the symptoms produced by 
the extraction from the urine. 
With regard to the manner of using “ life tests,” since in most cases 
extremely small quantities of the active principle will have to be identi¬ 
fied, the choice is limited to small animals, and it is better to use mice or 
