348 ON THE PREPARATION OF PROPYLAMINE FROM ERGOTINE. 
is not produced by the potash, as is the case with narcotine. I 
have previously demonstrated the presence of formic acid in 
ergot, and it is with that acid that the propylamine seems to be 
united. I have not yet made any experiments with herring- 
pickle. 
It will not now be difficult to determine whether the medicinal 
activity of ergot depends on propylamine or not, for the neutral 
salts of propylamine dissolved in water are easily absorbed, and 
I hope to be able to induce physicians to make pharmacological 
and therapeutical experiments. 
I have reasons to suppose that propylamine is likewise an in- 
gredient of cod-liver oil, and being easily combined with iodine, 
it may be soon ascertained by practical application whether it 
ought not to be considered as the bearer (trdger) of iodine. I 
propose to begin the necessary experiments in this respect as 
soon as my apparatus is entirely free from the odor of propyla- 
mine, in order to avoid all error. 
Finally, I had the idea of trying an experiment with regard 
to propylamine upon my own urine, which I made after a supper 
consisting of roast veal, potato-salad, and a glass of water, and 
which was neither acid nor alkaline. I poured three ounces of 
the urine, fresh made and still quite warm, upon four ounces of 
burned lime, and submitted it to distillation. The distilled pro- 
duct had indeed the odor of pure propylamine, and reacted 
strongly alkaline ; but acted in a remarkable manner on tincture 
of iodine in the same way as liquid ammonia. After having 
neutralized it with sulphuric acid, the liquid showed, when tested 
with tannic acid and nitrate of silver, an unmistakable proportion 
of propylamine. Might this be formed out of the urea ? My 
experiment confirms, at all events, the opinion stated above ; the 
beginning is made, and I may now pass from experiment to 
scientific deductions. 
Remarks by Dr. Buchner. — My friend, Dr. Winkler, in com- 
municating the above paper, very agreeably surprised me by 
transmitting at the same time specimens of his preparations of 
propylamine, and that too in quantities varying from one to two 
drachms, for which I hereby beg to express to him publicly my 
best thanks. I received from him, namely : — 
1. The rough product of distillation of herring-pickle. 
2. The aqueous solution of the sulphate produced from it. 
