41 4  Scoparin  and  Spartein.  \kmA™;S%rm' 
obtained.  The  best  form  for  its  administration  is  as  a  subcutaneous 
injection  in  doses  of  0*03  to  0*06  gram.  For  this  purpose  it  is  dissolved 
in  water  either  with  the  aid  of  an  addition  of  glycerin  or  a  trace  of 
ammonia.  0*03  gram  of  scoparin,  1  gram  of  water  and  a  small  addi- 
tion of  ammonia  give  a  suitable  solution  for  one  application.  For  a 
glycerin  solution,  the  proportions  are — 0*06  gram  scoparin,  0*75  gram 
water  and  0*25  gram  glycerin.  The  ammoniacal  solution  causes  the 
least  pain. 
Whilst  the  above  doses  administered  subcutaneously  produced  a 
strong  diuretic  action,  when  administered  by  the  mouth  to  produce 
equal  results,  the  doses  require  to  be  increased  to  0*5  and  even  1  vo 
gram.  This  is  possibly  due  to  the  sparing  solubility,  and  may  indicate 
the  necessity  of  experiments  in  the  direction  of  an  ammoniacal  solution 
for  internal  administration.  No  injurious  effects  upon  the  digestion  have 
been  observed. 
The  second  body,  spartein,  occurs  in  the  broom  in  much  smaller  and 
very  variable  quantities.  In  the  pure  condition  and  freshly  prepared  it 
is  an  almost  colorless  oily  liquid,  which  when  exposed  to  light  and  air, 
rapidly  becomes  colored  yellow  to  brown.  It  possesses  a  peculiar 
smell,  recalling  that  of  hyoscyamin,  and  a  very  bitter  taste.  It  has  no 
action  on  the  pupil  of  the  eye.  In  water  it  is  insoluble,  but  dissolves 
in  alcohol.  It  gives  the  characteristic  alkaloid  reactions,  has  strongly 
basic  properties  and  forms  with  acids  crystallizable  salts,  readily  soluble 
in  water.  Of  these  the  author  has  principally  prepared  the  sulphate 
in  the  form  of  a  white  powder,  showing  crystals  distinctly  under  the 
microscope.  There  is  no  difficulty  in  preparing  larger  crystals, -since 
the  author  has  obtained  them  one  centimeter  in  length  ;  but  he  consid- 
ers the  small  crystalline  form  presents  advantages  in  the  preparation  of 
a  pure  compound  and  in  dispensing.  The  crystals  belong,  so  far  as  can 
be  determined,  to  the  monoclinic  system.  The  pure  spartein  being,  as 
above  mentioned,  a  very  sensitive  and  alterable  body,  the  author  thinks 
the  sulphate  will  be  found  more  suitable  for  administration,  its  ready 
solubility  in  water  also  favoring  its  subcutaneous  injection. 
Although  the  experiments  with  this  salt  have  not  been  numerous 
they  have  shown  that  neither  its  internal  nor  subcutaneous  administra- 
tion produces  unpleasant  accidents  or  smarting,  whilst  its  diuretic  action 
was  considerable.    An  aqueous  solution  was  used  of  the  strength  of 
