ON THE CONSTITUTION OF BEBEERINE. 
115 
The results of several ultimate analyses of two different 
specimens of bebeerine give the following as its composi- 
tion, C 35 H 40 N 2 O 6 . 
It appears to have been sufficiently established by the 
experience of medical practitioners, that bebeerine possesses 
marked properties as a remedy for periodic diseases, (Ma- 
clagan, Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, April, 
1S45.) 
On comparing its composition with that of other vegetable 
alkalies possessed of similar remedial powers, such as qui- 
nine and cinchonine, it is not a little remarkable that it dif- 
fers from them in atomic constitution, and that it is isomeric 
with morphia, which acts as a pure narcotic. The atomic 
constitution of morphia, calculated from the formulae deduced 
by Liebig and Regnault from their analyses, agrees perfectly 
with that given above for bebeerine. Tfi3 composition of 
the two bases is, in fact, identical. 
This is the first instance of isomerism occurring in sub- 
stances belonging to the class of organic bases. 
One very interesting conclusion regarding the action of 
medicinal substances appears to be deducible from these re- 
sults, that similarity of physiological properties does not 
depend upon similarity in the proportions of their consti- 
tuents. It seems probable that the mode in which their 
atoms are grouped has an important share in modifying their 
physiological actions; for in the present instance we have 
the same number of atoms both in morphia and bebeerine, 
but in the one producing a white crystalline body of narcotic 
qualities, in the other a yellow amorphous resinous-looking 
substance, acting as an anti-periodic. The difference in their 
physical properties in fact proves that their elements are 
differently arranged. 
We have not been enabled to examine sipeerine, the sub- 
stance left behind when pure bebeerine is dissolved out by 
means of aether. It occurs in a very minute quantity, and 
requires a very tedious repetition of the treatment with 
