MUSCARINE. 
435 
§ 529 -] 
following process :—The contents of the stomach were mixed with a 
large amount of alcohol, a few drops of HC1 added, and the whole 
well shaken ; the fluid was then filtered, and the filtrate evaporated to 
a syrupy consistence at 37°. The resulting residue was dissolved in 
distilled water, the fat, etc., filtered off, and the liquid carefully evapo¬ 
rated. From the extract foreign matter was again separated by treat¬ 
ment with alcohol and filtration, and the last filtrate was evaporated to a 
syrupy consistence. The syrupy fluid was taken up by distilled water, 
filtered, evaporated to 30 grms., and 2 grms. of calcined magnesia with 
90 grms. of ether were added. After a time, the ether was removed, and 
allowed to evaporate spontaneously. The residue was once more taken 
up with water, filtered from fat, etc., and evaporated. This final residue 
gave all the reactions of colchicine. In medico-legal researches it must 
be remembered that colchicine is absorbed but slowly, a not insignificant 
portion remaining in the bowels, with the faeces. 
XIII.—Muscarine and the Active Principles of Certain Fungi. 
§ 529. The Amanita muscaria, or fly-blown agaric, is a very con¬ 
spicuous fungus, common in fir-plantations, about the size and shape of 
the common mushroom ; but the external surface of the pileus is of a 
bright red, or sometimes of a yellowish cast, and studded over with 
warts. The common name of the fungus denotes that it was used in 
former times as a popular insecticide ; the fungus was bruised, steeped 
in milk, and the milk exposed, in the same way as we now expose 
arsenical fly-papers. 
Some peculiar properties of the agaric have long been known to the 
natives of Kamchatka, and of the north-eastern part of Asia generally. 
They collect the fungi in the hottest months, and hang up to dry. 
The fungus is then rolled up in a kind of bolus, and swallowed without 
chewing. One large or two small fungi will produce a kind of intoxi¬ 
cation, which lasts a whole day. It comes on in about two hours’ time, 
and is very similar to that of alcohol. There is a giddy feeling, the 
spirits are exalted, the countenance becomes flushed, involuntary actions 
and words follow, and sometimes loss of consciousness. It renders some 
persons remarkably active, and proves highly stimulant to muscular exer¬ 
tion ; by too large a dose violent spasmodic effects are produced. “ So 
very exciting to the nervous system in many individuals is this fungus, 
that the effects are often very ludicrous. If a person under its influence 
wishes to step over a straw or small stick, he takes a stride or a jump 
sufficient to clear the trunk of a tree. A talkative person cannot keep 
silence or secrets, and one fond of music is perpetually singing. The 
most singular effect of the amanita is the influence which it has over the 
urine. It is said that from time immemorial the inhabitants have known 
