294  Investigation  of  Colchicum.  {^z^I'ISl^ 
each  time).  The  aqueous  solution  remaining  after  evaporating  the 
chloroform  was  tested  with  Mayer's  reagent,  one-half  strength  solu- 
tion being  used,  and  in  case  of  seed,  on  discovering  the  alkaloid 
had  not  been  entirely  removed,  again  treated  with  chloroform. 
Finally  the  chloroformic  solutions  were  evaporated  to  dryness,  re- 
dissolved  in  a  little  dilute  alcohol  and  again  dried  to  a  constant 
weight.  This  residue  was  nearly  pure  colchicine.  As  it  might  have 
retained  some  chloroform,  it  was  once  more  dissolved  in  dilute  alco- 
hol and  dried. 
Second  Method. — 10  c.c.  of  fluid  extract  was  diluted  with  85  c.c. 
of  water,  and  solution  of  lead  subacetate  added  in  slight  excess  (i.  e., 
until  the  fluid  had  a  distinctly  sweetish  taste).  This  was  made  up 
to  exactly  100  c.c.  with  water  and  filtered.  After  adding  sodium 
phosphate  in  powdered  form,  sufficient  to  throw  down  the  excess  of 
lead, and  once  more  filtering,  50  c.c.  of  the  filtrate  were  put  into  a  sepa- 
rator and  shaken  out  with  three  portions  of  chloroform,  dried  and 
weighed,  as  in  the  first  method. 
Third  Method. — After  removing  the  lead  by  means  of  sodium 
phosphate,  as  in  the  preceding  method,  the  alkaloid  was  precipitated 
by  tannic  acid,  the  liquid  filtered  off,  the  tannate  washed  and 
digested  with  lead  oxide,  this  dried  and  the  alkaloid  dissolved  out 
by  means  of  alcohol,  filtered.    The  filtrate  again  dried  and  weighed. 
The  result  in  each  instance  was  as  follows : 
Seed.  Root. 
Per  Cent.      Per  Cent. 
First  method  0-9  o'6 
Second  method  o*6  0*4 
Third  method  0-4  0*4 
Making  for  the  seed  an  average  of  between  0-6  per  cent,  and  07 
per  cent.;  for  the  root  between  0-4  per  cent,  and  0-5  per  cent. 
Therefore,  it  appears  the  seed  are  slightly  richer  in  colchicine  than 
the  root,  and  should  there  be  no  other  valid  reason  why  the  root 
should  be  retained  in  the  Pharmacopoeia,  they  would  be  sufficient 
whenever  the  effects  of  this  drug  are  desired. 
Pennsylvania  Pharmaceutical  Association.— The  twenty -fourth  annual 
meeting  will  be  held  at  Hotel  Oneonta,  Harvey's  Lake  (near  Wilkes-Barre ) , 
Pa.,  on  June  18-20,  1901.  Address  the  Secretary,  J.  A.  Miller,  Harrisburg,  for 
orders  for  railroad  excursion  tickets. 
