68 
ON  THE  MORPHIA  SALTS  OF  COMMERCE. 
vol.  vi.  p.  125,  May,  1854),  that  morphia  might  be  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  ob- 
tained, by  mean3  of  iodide  of  ethyl  acting  on  morphia,  a  salt 
isomeric  with  hydriodate  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  properties  from  co- 
deia. Yet  it  has  been  thought  by  some  eminent  manufacturers 
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  endeavored,  after  examining  samples  from  va- 
rious sources,  to  confine  myself  more  especially  to  those  of  dif- 
ferent manufacturers,  and  I  propose  to  report  upon  three  speci- 
mens, each  being  of  different  make.  Of  each  specimen  100 
grains  (of  hydrochlorate  of  morphia)  were  dried  at  a  tempera- 
ture 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  : — 
No.  1,  immediately  on  contact  with  water,  became  dark  in 
color,  and  united  to  form  a  clot,  taking  some  minutes  to  dis- 
solve, and  then  forming  a  solution  somewhat  colored. 
No.  2,  on  contact  with  water,  became  very  slightly  colored, 
formed  but  little  clot,  and  dissolved  in  less  time  considerably 
than  the  former,  producing  a  solution  slightly  tinted. 
No.  3,  not  at  all  darkened  on  contact  with  water,  remained 
pulverent,  and  separate,  and  dissolved  with  rapidity,  forming  a 
perfectly  colorless  solution. 
