Notes on some of the chemical reactions of narcotine and meconic acid / by T. G. Wormley.

  • Wormley, Theodore George.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notes on some of the chemical reactions of narcotine and meconic acid / by T. G. Wormley. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    6/10 (page 6)
    .4^ 15, Sulphuric and Nitric Acids. ■j 1. grain of narcotine, when acted upon by a small drop ^ of strong sulphuric acid, dissolves with a yellow solution, ii now a small crystal of nitrate of potash be added, the crystal becomes blood red, which after a time dissolves, giving a blood red color to the solution, which after a time changes to orange. If the nitrate of potash be first dissolved in the acid, and then the mixture be al- lowed to flow upon the narcotine, the deposit immediately becomes blood red, and slowly dissolves, giving a solution of the same color. 2. lo^oth, dry; if the mixture of sulphuric acid and nitre be allowed to flow upon the deposit, it immediately becomes blood red, and soon dissolves giving a yellow solution. 3* 10000th, the deposit becomes red, but very soon dissolves with a yellow solution. 4. 20 0 0 oth, gave no indication. 16, Sulphuric Acid and Bichromate of Potash. 1. 1 Soth, when the dry residue is dissolved by a drop of strong sulphuric acid, it gives a yellow solution, which when treated with a very small crystal of bichromate of potash, changes to a fine wine color, which remains permanent for days; if an excess of the potash salt be used, the mixture passes through several colors and ultimately becomes blue. The permanent color is readily obtained by stirring the potash crystal in the acid solution of the narcotine till it imparts a wine color, and then removing the crystal from the solution. 2. lo^oth, if a small crystal of the potash salt be stirred in a drop of sulphuric acid till it imparts a distinct color, and then the mixture be allowed to flow upon the narcotine, the deposit becomes red or brown, and then dissolves with a color dependent upon the amount of potash salt used. 3. someth, the deposit gives a brown color. The change of colors observed in the application of this test might 1 cause the inexperienced to mistake narcotine for strychnia. ‘ Meconic Acid. When necessary, the meconic acid was dissolved by the aid of a gentle heat. 1. Sesquichloride of Iron. 1. 1 grain of meconic acid in one grain of water, will give with a solution of sesquichloride of iron, an immediate blood red i' ■4 '