342 
Root  of  Kalmia  Latifolia. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
July,  1897. 
solution  was  filtered  off  from  the  undissolved  portion,  and  when 
treated  with  diluted  sulphuric  acid  in  excess,  it  deposited  a  floccu- 
lent  precipitate  of  resinous  matter  which  showed  no  color  reactions 
with  strong  mineral  acids.  The  filtrate  from  the  flocculent  precipi- 
tate was  shaken  with  chloroform  in  a  separating  funnel.  The 
chloroformic  layer  was  separated  and  evaporated.  The  following 
tests  were  applied  to  the  residue: 
Strong  sulphuric  acid — one  drop  produced  a  red  color,  which 
became  more  pronounced  on  warming.  Strong  nitric  acid — a  few 
drops  produced  a  red  color  which  intensified  on  warming. 
Strong  hydrochloric  acid,  even  when  warmed,  produced  no  change. 
These  reactions  correspond,  except  in  the  case  of  hydrochloric 
acid,  with  those  obtained  by  previous  investigators  of  the  leaves  of 
this  plant,  and  ascribed  by  them  to  andromedotoxin. 
Absolute  Alcohol  Extract. — The  extract  amounted  to  3  68  per 
cent.  It  was  of  a  dark  brown  color  and  had  a  porous  character. 
Water  dissolved  an  amount  equal  to  1-48  per  cent,  of  the  root.  The 
residue  consisted  of  phlobaphene.  The  water  solution  was  acid  in 
reaction.  It  contained  a  small  amount  of  tannin,  which  reacted  as 
follows : 
Lead  acetate,  flesh-colored  precipitate.  Ferric  chloride,  brownish 
precipitate.  Ammonia  ferric  sulphate,  brownish-green  precipitate. 
Gelatin,  flesh-colored  precipitate.  Bromine  water,  yellow  precipitate- 
Calcium  hydrate,  reddish  precipitate. 
These  reactions  were  confirmed  by  tests  applied  to  a  cold-water 
infusion  of  the  original  root.  They  indicate  a  tannin  similar  to  that 
of  the  oak  barks  and  to  the  one  found  in  the  leaves  of  Kalmia  latifolia, 
as  described  by  DeGraffe  in  this  Journal  for  June,  1896.  The  alco- 
holic solution  of  the  phlobaphene  gave  the  same  reaction  with  ferric 
chloride  as  the  tannin.  Traces  of  glucose  and  saccharose  were 
present.  Alkaloids,  glucosides  and  neutral  principles  were  not  found 
after  a  complete  system  of  application  of  immiscible  solvents  to  both 
acid  and  alkaline  water  solutions  of  the  extract. 
Water  Extract. — Cold  water  extracted  3-2  per  cent,  of  organic 
matter  from  the  root.  This  comprised  -92  per  cent,  of  mucilage  and 
albuminous  matter,  a  trace  of  glucose  and  nearly  I  per  cent,  of 
saccharose. 
Alkaline  Water  Extract. — Water  made  alkaline  with  sodium 
hydrate  dissolved  5-44  per  cent,  of  organic  solids.  The  extract 
showed  98  per  cent,  of  mucilage  and  albuminous  matter. 
