'^^'"MarTiss?™  }        AcUve  QousUtuents  of  FodophylUn,  115 
air,  gradually  assumes  a  greenish  color.  From  the  ammoniacal 
solution  it  is  precipitated  by  ether  in  the  form  of  microscopic  crys-, 
tals.  By  the  sublimation  of  the  yellow  powder  obtained  after  the 
evaporation  of  the  ether,  yellow  vapors  are  formed  which,  upon  cool- 
ing, form  well-developed,  yellow  shining,  needle-shaped  crystals  of 
podophylloquercetin. 
The  author  finally  again  calls  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  action  of 
podophyllin  is  due  to  the  therein  contained  neutral  and  crystallizable 
picropodophyllin,  which  is  dissolved  in  the  picropodophyllinic  acid, 
forming  together  the  resinous  podophyllotoxin,  but  does  not  consider 
the  latter  a  chemical  compound,  as  would  be  found  in  the  case  of  the 
combination  of  an  acid  and  alkali.  He  also  explains  the  observations 
of  previous  experimenters  that  the  action  of  podophyllin  is  dimin- 
ished or  destroyed  by  the  influence  of  alkalies,  from  the  fact  that  the 
picropodophyllinic  acid  with  which  the  active  picropodophyllin  is  asso- 
ciated becomes  thereby  neutralized,  thus  rendering  the  latter  insoluble. 
In  the  administration  of  podophyllin  or  podophyllotoxin,  therefore, 
its  combination  with  alkalies,  soap,  etc.,  should  be  avoided,  and  in  case 
too  large  a  dose  has  been  inadvertantly  employed  the  proper  antidote 
would  be  Seidlitz  powder,  magnesia,  or  any  alkaline  draught,  which 
may  be  followed  by  emulsion  of  sweet  almonds  with  cherry-laurel 
water,  or  simply  the  former  alone. 
The  normal  dose  of  podophyllotoxin  for  an  adult,  as  based  upon 
clinical  observations  and  experiments  upon  animals,  is  suggested  as 
J  grain,  to  be  taken  at  bed  time,  and  repeated  on  the  following  night, 
if  required.  In  obstinate  cases  of  constipation  J  grain  may  be  given 
at  once,  but  the  maximum  dose  should  not  exceed  f  grain.  A  dose  of 
2J  grains,  if  not  fatal,  is  considered  very  dangerous  and  absolutely 
inadmissible.  For  the  rapid  assimilation  of  the  substance  the  follow- 
ing formula  is  recommended  as  convenient  of  application  : 
R    Podophyllotoxin,  ....         grs.  iiss 
solve  in 
Alcohol,         ......  3x— t'^iv 
S.  Dose  for  an  adult  30  droj)s  in  wine  or  brandy. 
For  children  the  dose  must  be  proportionally  less,  and  may  l)e  given 
in  a  spoonful  of  sweetened  water  or  milk. 
It  may  finally  be  incidentally  observed  that  the  author  confirms  the 
observations  of  previous  investigators  in  regard  to  the  absolute  absence 
of  any  body  of  an  alkaloidal  nature  in  podophyllum. 
