252  Note  on  a  Piper  called  Jaborandu  {Amd™%™7&rm'' 
some  preliminary  experiments  with  infusions,  was  able  to  demonstrate 
the  presence  of  an  alkaloid. 
Some  leaves  and  stalks  were  therefore  powdered,  and  left  to  macer- 
ate for  four  days  with  three  times  their  weight  of  900  alcohol,  acidu- 
lated with  8  grams  of  hydrochloric  acid  per  liter.  The  alcohol  was 
then  decanted  and  fresh  alcohol  added,  and  this  was  repeated  three 
times.  The  alcoholic  solutions  were  concentrated  by  distillation,  and 
the  aqueous  solution  evaporated  and  decomposed  by  ammonia  in  the 
presence  of  excess  of  chloroform.  Upon  evaporation  of  the  chloro- 
form the  base  was  left  free,  but  still  impure.  It  was  therefore  treated 
with  water  acidulated  with  hydrochloric  acid,  which  dissolved  the  major 
part  of  it  ;  the  solution  was  filtered,  evaporated  and  again  decomposed 
by  ammonia  in  the  presence  of  excess  of  chloroform.  Upon  evapora- 
tion of  the  chloroform  solution  the  base  was  deposited,  having  a  crys- 
talline appearance  and  slightly-yellowish  tint. 
The  base  presents  the  characteristic  reactions  of  alkaloids.  Its  solu- 
tion gave  a  white  precipitate  with  iodide  of  mercury  and  potassium,  and 
with  iodine  in  iodide  of  potassium.  Another  portion  of  the  leaves  was 
distilled  with  water  to  obtain  the  volatile  oil,  but  only  a  small  quantity- 
was  collected,  insufficient  for  investigation. 
The  alkaloid  dissolved  easily  in  water  slightly  acidulated  with  hydro- 
chloric acid,  and  such  a  solution  was  used  by  Dr.  Bochefontaine  to 
study  its  physiological  action  upon  animals.  He  found  that  it  did  not 
act  upon  the  heart  or  influence  the  muscular  contractility  ;  it  was  not 
a  convulsivant.  It  appeared  to  have  the  power  to  prevent  the  mechan- 
ical or  electric  excitations  of  the  mixed  nerves,  such  as  the  sciatic, 
from  being  transmitted  to  the  muscles.  It  appeared  even  to  possess 
the  paralyzing  power  at  the  outset,  and  this  property  would  seem  to 
distinguish  it  with  curare.  Indeed,  the  paralyzing  action  of  curare  is 
usually  preceded  by  some  slight  spasmodic  movements,  which  have  not 
been  observed  in  frogs  poisoned  with  the  alkaloid  of  false  jaborandi. 
Prof.  Gubler  remarks  that  the  effects  observed  after  the  administra- 
tion of  the  plant  to  the  human  subject,  although  in  small  doses,  had 
not  led  him  to  expect  so  violent  an  action  from  the  alkaloid  of  the  Rio 
piper.  The  first  experiment,  in  1875,  with  the  comparatively  fresh 
plant,  did  not  reveal  any  great  activity  compared  with  the  excessive 
power  of  Pilocarpus  pennatifolius.  Besides  the  peppery  sensation  in  the 
mouth  and  throat  and  the  heat  in  the  stomach,  doses  of  4  to  6  grams 
