An inaugural dissertation on strychnia : presented to the Medical faculty of McGill College, May 1st, 1858, prior to receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery / by Alexander P. Reid.
- Reid, Alexander P. (Alexander Peter), 1836-
- Date:
- 1858
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: An inaugural dissertation on strychnia : presented to the Medical faculty of McGill College, May 1st, 1858, prior to receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery / by Alexander P. Reid. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
16/44
![Strong nitric acid produces nothing characteristic with cither, and there is the same absence of distinguishing change when sulphuric arid and bichromate of potash are used. But, if in place of the last-mentioned salt, binoxide of manganese be used, the strychnia precipitate becomes first purple inclining to red, then reddish-brown ; at other times a greater play of colours is elicited, but with veratria, bebcerina and quina nothing remarkable is visible. Another test previously mentioned, as applied to the solid substance, which I have found yielding valuable information, is sulphuric, acid and a solution of bichromate of potash added to a very dilute solution of strychnia. T prepare tins test by adding to an ounce of water as much of a saturated solution of the salt just named as will render the whole of a light stiaw yellow colour, say about ] 6 drops, and then about 50 drops of the acid. To a part of this mixture the liquid, containing strychnia? is to be add* d and then boiled ; at first there is no change, but as the fluid becomes bolter, the colour becomes gradually deeper in tint and finally blood-re 1. If the desired alteration be not brought about, it may be hastened by a few drops of sulphuric acid. If the solution of strych- nia be very dilute, it will be better to add the proper amount of acid and it and then proceed as in the former case ; but sometimes the fluid will require to be boiled for a good while, even several mmu any change becomes visible, and sometimes it will not form until it cools, but then it is not generally well marked. It mi hat sulphuric acid will cause this change by actingon the solution of bid , yen when no strychnia is present. To effect Qts must exist in very large quantity, and even then the colour differs much, being lighter and inclining to a rose tint ■ but if it be merely of the strength mentioned there is no visible change even after prolonged ebullition. This test it will be observed differs from the same ap lication of the same re-agent to solid strychnia in several points, as in the requirement of heat, &c.; and of the two it is the most delicate. I have not yet found any substance that will give the same result with this mixture that strychnia does. It is bleached by morphia and after a time the green oxide of chrome is precipitated. Veratria causes no change, nor does quina. Neither blood, sugar, starch, nor dextrine give any appearances that constitute an objection. Iodine, sugar, and most organic liquids dissipate the colour of the solution. Chloride of lime has the same effect. Santonine, bebeerine, the alkalies, acids, and all others I have tried appear to be equally negative. If the iodine test be added to the bichromate test, when reddened by](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21149847_0016.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
