SECTION SECOND.

CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY OF VERATRUM VIRIDE.

DIVISION FIRST.

CHEMICAL HISTORY.

DR. CHARLES OSGOOD, of Providence, R. I., published the results of some chemical experiments upon this plant in the American Journal of Pharmacy, vol. i., second series. He obtained a white, inodorous, and very acrid powder, which he thought to be the alkaloid principle of the plant, but no satisfactory experiments were made by him on the point.

In the 9th volume of the same journal, Thos. A. Mitchell gives a proximate analysis of the plant, and states that he obtained an active principle, in the form of a white powder, but he was unable to make any chemical examinations, as the amount obtained was very small.

In the 10th volume of the same journal, Henry W. Worthington gives a more complete analysis of the plant, and states that he obtained "an alkaloid substance identical with veratria," that it was soluble in dilute acids," and that "the sulphate, tartrate, and oxalate were crystallizable salts."

To Mr. Worthington, then, is due the honor of having first announced by publication, and demonstrated by chemical tests that an alkaloid existed in the plant.

In the same journal for May, 1857, Mr. Joseph G. Richardson gives an elaborate chemical essay on this plant. After reviewing what was already known and giving the results of various experiments for obtaining the alkaloids, Mr. Richardson gives several tests for its detection, and also proves by many separate analyses that the alkaloid obtained by him was identical in its chemical reactions with the alkaloid obtained from Veratrum album.

In 1857 the author of this monograph presented for the inspection of the Fellows of the N. Y. Academy of Medicine, 38 grains

of the pure alkaloid obtained from Veratrum viride, and described the process by which it was obtained; this was in a very fine, white, amorphous powder, possessing all the physical properties of veratria. The Academy did not publish this analysis.

In 1862 Geo. J. Scattergood made an elaborate investigation of the alkaloid obtained from both species, the results of which he presented in an essay to the American Pharmaceutical Association, at their meeting, August, 1862, and it may be found entire in their printed proceedings of that year.

DIVISION SECOND.

PROCESS FOR OBTAINING THE TINCTURE, RESINOID, AND ALKALOID.

Tincture. The root, coarsely powdered, is treated with alcohol fortius, sp. gr. 0.817, by percolation, the alcohol distilled off, and the residuum evaporated to an extract over a water bath until it is nearly dry, or until it ceases to become lighter upon being weighed at intervals of an hour or two.

To make the concentrated tincture spoken of in this work, one part of this extract is dissolved in ten parts of alcohol, 0.817, and filtrated.

Resinoid.-Veratrum viride root coarsely powdered is treated with alcohol, 0.817, by percolation, the alcohol distilled off, and the residuum evaporated to a soft extract. A saturated solution of this extract is made in alcohol, 0.817, and filtered slowly into a large quantity of cold water previously acidulated with sulphuric acid, and kept constantly stirred. The fluid is filtered off, leaving most of the resinoid substance in the beaker; fresh acidulated water is added, well stirred, and the whole then thrown on the filter, and repeatedly washed with cold water, until every trace of sulphuric acid is removed; it is then dried. This substance I have called resinoid. By repeated examinations, it is entirely free from every trace of alkaloid.

It is also free from the extractive substances that are soluble in water.

I have used this in the form of tincture, made by dissolving it in alcohol 0.817, of the strength of grain of the resinoid to each minim. This resin is of a soft consistence; about 25 per cent. of it is soluble in ether, and the remainder is harder and more friable.

Both resins produce the therapeutic action above noted, but the alcoholic resin is more uniform and certain in its action than the ethereal. The ether extracts the oily portions.

Alkaloid. The processes adopted by Worthington, Richardson, and Scattergood may be found in the works already referred to. The process that I have adopted for obtaining the alkaloid has differed from that recommended by either of these gentlemen.

Any quantity of the coarsely-powdered root of the Veratrum viride is moistened with water and packed into a percolator; water acidulated with hydrochloric acid is added, sufficient to cover the root, and allowed to stand for twenty-four hours.

It is then allowed to percolate, and the first portion of the fluid which contains most of the strength of the root, is kept by itself; fresh acidulated water is added, until the root is exhausted.

The latter liquid is evaporated to about one quarter its former bulk, filtered, and the first portion of the percolate mixed with it; soda is then added so long as a precipitate forms.

The precipitate is washed in a small quantity of cold water and dried; it is then treated with ether, the ether is filtrated off, and allowed to evaporate.

This mass is then treated with water acidulated with hydrochloric acid, filtered, and ammonia added so long as a precipitate forms; the fluid is filtered off, the precipitate washed in a small quantity of cold water, and mixed with a small amount of animal charcoal, which has been previously moistened with a little alcohol.

The whole is put into a flask and alcohol added to it; the flask is put in hot water, and the hot alcoholic solution filtered off, and more alcohol added, which is treated in the same way.

The whole of the alcoholic solution is either distilled or evaporated, according to the quantity of alcohol used; and the soft mass that is left is treated with successive quantities of boiling water, acidulated with hydrochloric acid.

This solution is filtered and the alkaloid is precipitated with ammonia.

The precipitate when dry is treated with ether, filtered, and the ether allowed to evaporate slowly.

The alkaloid is in a semi-crystalline state and of a slightly yellow tinge.

To prevent the excessive and painful sneezing caused by inhal

ing this alkaloid, I have found it advisable, when manipulating with it, to anoint the nostrils as far up as possible with castor oil, and to tie over the nostrils a piece of moistened sponge.

DIVISION THIRD.

CHEMICAL TESTS AND REAGENTS FOR THE DETECTION OF THE

ALKALOID.

As I have obtained veratria from Veratrum viride, it is, if precipitated, a pure, white, amorphous powder; if from the evaporation of ether, it is semi-crystalline and of a slightly yellow tinge.

It is of an acrid and burning taste, but is not very bitter. It is necessary to be exceedingly cautious in handling it, for if a very minute portion is breathed up the nostrils, it excites violent sneezing, which is difficult to check, and occasionally produces alarming symptoms.

Its formula is probably the same as that of commercial veratria, C12NOVе.

22

If a small quantity of veratria be placed upon platina and held over a flame, it fuses at a gentle heat; if it be now removed it solidifies as it cools, and becomes a semi-transparent yellow mass; but, if the heat be continued, it swells up and is gradually dissipated. It is insoluble in water, but readily soluble in ether, alcohol, chloroform, and benzole.

It neutralizes acids, and forms salts which are soluble in water; they are of an acrid and persistently burning taste, and produce a considerable degree of irritation if rubbed upon the skin.

In the experiments I give below I have as closely as possible followed the experiments performed by my friend, Professor T. G. Wormley, upon the purified veratria (of Murk's manufacture) from Veratrum sabadilla, and published by him in the Ohio Medical and Surgical Journal, July, 1860.

My object was to institute a more elaborate research than that previously made by Mr. Richardson, and ascertain if the alkaloids from the different plants were identical in their chemical reactions.

For the purpose of experimenting, a given quantity of the alkaloid was dissolved in a given quantity of distilled water, with precisely sufficient hydrochloric acid to effect its solution.

1. Potassa.-Potassa produces in solution of hydrochlorate of veratria a copious, flocculent, dirty-white precipitate, which is not soluble in an excess of the reagent. If viewed immediately on precipitation by a low power of the microscope, it is seen in coagula, but if viewed after standing some minutes many short prismatic crystals will be seen amongst the coagula, which shortly disappear. The 。 grain of this veratria is most readily detected by this reagent, and with the microscope Too may be easily recognized. The carbonate of the alkalies acts in the same manner as potassa.

2. Ammonia.-The reaction is the same as with potassa, but the precipitate is slightly soluble in an excess.

3. Nitric Acid.-If concentrated nitric acid is brought into contact with this alkaloid it agglutinates into resinous-looking lumps of a dirty yellow color, which slowly dissolve in the acid. If the alkaloid is first moistened with water and a small quantity of nitric acid then applied, it exhibits a yellow tint, but on the addition of water forms a colorless solution.

4. Sulphocyanide of Potassium.—A flocculent white precipitate insoluble in excess of the reagent.

5. Chromate of Potassa.-A light yellow amorphous precipitate, insoluble in an excess.

6. Bi-Chromate of Potassa.-A copious, dirty yellow amorphous precipitate, insoluble in an excess of the reagent, but soluble in nitric acid.

7. Ferrocyanide of Potassium.-A copious bluish-black, flocculent precipitate, soluble if a small excess of the reagent is carefully

added.1

8. Ferricyanide of Potassium.-An abundant greenish-yellow precipitate, soluble in an excess.

9. Iodide of Potassium.-A dirty white amorphous precipitate, becoming a dirty greenish-white upon standing some time.

10. Iodine in Iodide of Potassium.-A copious reddish-brown amorphous precipitate, soluble in liquor potassæ.

11. Bromine in Bromo-hydric Acid.-A dull yellow amorphous precipitate.

12. Carbazotic Acid.-A greenish amorphous precipitate, which upon standing a short time becomes a greenish-yellow.

"This reaction takes place if an old solution is used, but if a new and pure solution is used there is no precipitate."-W.