64 
VE  RAT  RUM  VIRIDE. 
chlorites.    This  character  is  more  marked  in  the  product  soluble 
in  ether. 
I  would  also  call  attention  to  the  distinctiveness  of  Trapp's 
test  for  veratria— -the  rich  color,  resembling  a  solution  of  per- 
manganate of  potassa,  afforded  by  heating  veratria  in  hydrochloric 
acid  is  not  evanescent.  In  a  test  tube,  protected  from  dust  and 
air,  the  color  remains  unchanged  for  two  months. 
The  resin  of  Veratrum  viride,  when  precipitated  from  a  con- 
centrated alcoholic  extract  of  the  root  by  pouring  it  into  water, 
retains  the  alkaloids  with  great  persistence.  The  following 
manipulations  were  adopted  for  its  purification :  After  treat- 
ment with  ether  until  exhausted  by  that  menstruum,  the  resin 
was  dissolved  in  alcohol  and  re-precipitated  by  pouring  into  acidu- 
lated water.  This  operation  was  repeated  several  times;  the 
resin  was  then  dried,  powdered,  and  washed  on  a  filter  with 
acidulated  water  until  the  washings  were  no  longer  disturbed 
by  neutralization  with  an  alkaline  carbonate. 
The  resin  as  thus  purified  had  the  following  characteristics  : 
On  platinum  foil— fused,  intumesced,  and  carbonized. 
With  test  paper — the  alcoholic  solution  was  neutral. 
With  hydrochloric  acid — -does  not  dissolve  and  produces  no 
change  of  color ;  on  heating  it  imparts  a  brown  color  to  the  acid. 
With  sulphuric  acid — partially  dissolves,  giving  the  usual 
dark  brown  color  of  carbonized  matter  to  the  acid. 
Physiological  Effects.  One-third  of  a  grain  of  the  resin,  dis- 
solved in  alcohol,  was  taken  every  half  hour  until  one  grain  was 
administered.  No  effect  on  the  circulation  or  other  result  was 
noticeable. 
On  a  second  trial  the  same  dose  was  administered  at  the  same 
intervals  until  two  grains  were  taken.  No  effect  on  the  pulse  in 
force  or  frequency  was  observed  ;  the  only  result — an  unexpected 
one — was  great  prostration  of  digestive  functions,  subjecting  the 
experimenter  to  a  temporary  but  severe  attack  of  dyspepsia. 
Not  being  familiarized  to  this  popular  complaint  the  experiment 
was  not  pushed  farther. 
In  conclusion,  the  opinion  derived  from  the  investigation  leads 
to  the  belief  that  the  resin  of  Veratrum  viride,  when  purified 
from  adhering  alkaloids,  does  not  possess  the  sedative  action  on 
