§§ 584-587-] 
SANTONIN. 
solves in alkalies, changing into santonic acid, C 15 H 20 O 4 ; this may be 
retransformed into santonin and water by heating at 120°. 
Santonin contains a ketone group, and its phenyl-hydrazone melts 
at 220°. The formula is not settled. Angeli and Marino, studying the 
oxidation products of santonic acid, suggest the following formula for 
the acid : CO 2 H.C 10 H 14 (CO.CO 2 H)(COMe)OH, and that it is the result 
.CO.CH 
of the oxidation of a group of the form 
to C0.C0 2 H and .C.COMe. 
.C.CMe 
The authors further regard it as probable that santonic acid contains a 
bridge consisting of a methylene group situated in the ring containing the 
ketone group. The crystals become yellow through age and exposure 
to light ; they are scarcely soluble in cold, water, but dissolve in 250 
parts of boiling water, freely in alkaline water, in 3 parts of boiling 
alcohol, and in 42 parts of boiling ether. Sodic santonate (C 15 H 19 Na0 4 
+ 3JH 2 0) is official on the Continent ; it forms colourless rhombic 
crystals, soluble in 3 parts of cold water. 
§ 584. Poisoning by Santonin. —Eighteen cases of poisoning, either 
by santonin or santonin-holding substances, which F. A. Falck has been 
.able to collect, were nearly all occasioned by its use as a remedy for 
worms. A few were poisonings of children who had swallowed it by 
accident. With one exception, those poisoned were children of from 
2 to 12 years of age ; in five the flower heads, and in thirteen san¬ 
tonin itself, were taken. Of. the eighteen cases, two only died (about 
11 per cent.). 
§ 585. Fatal Dose. —So small a number of children have died 
from santonin, that data are not available for fixing the minimum fatal 
dose. -12 grm. of santonin killed a boy of 5| years of age in fifteen 
hours ; a girl, 10 years old, died from a quantity of flower heads equal 
to -2 grm. of santonin. The maximum dose for children is from 65 to 
194 mgrms. (1 to 3 grains), and twice the quantity for adults. 
§ 586. Effects on Animals. —Experiments on animals with santonin 
have been numerous. It has first an exciting action on the centres of 
nerves from the second to the seventh pairs, and then follows decrease 
of excitability. The medulla is later affected. There are tetanic con¬ 
vulsions, and death follows through asphyxia. Artificial respiration 
lessens the number and activity of the convulsions, and chloroform, 
chloral hydrate, or ether also either prevent or shorten the attacks. 
§ 587. Effects on Man. —One of the most constant effects of 
santonin is a peculiar aberration of the colour-sense, first observed by 
Hufeland in 1806. All things seem yellow, and this may last Jor 
twenty-four hours, seldom longer. According to Rose, this apparent 
yellowness is often preceded by a violet hue over all objects. If the 
lids are closed while the “ yellow sight ” is present, the whole field is 
