4005. Strychnine, or Strychnia

4005.    Strychnine, or Strychnia. This is an alkaloid contained in nux vomica, and some other vegetable substances. Crystallizes in small, brilliant, eight-sided crystals, insoluble in absolute alcohol, and slightly soluble in water. It suffers decomposition on fusing, and does not decompose iodic acid; it may be thus distinguished from morphine.

4006. Brucine, or Brucia

4006.     Brucine, or Brucia. Is obtained from the same sources as strychnine, and resembles it in many respects, but is readily soluble in all strengths of alcohol, and insoluble in water. Brucine turns nitric acid red, which becomes violet on the addition of protochloride of tin.

4007. Veratrine, or Veratria

4007.     Veratrine, or Veratria. The alkaloid principle of cevadilla seeds, and of white hellebore. "When pure, it is a white powder; but as usually met with, the powder is yellowish or greenish-white, insoluble in water.

4008. Colchicine

4008.    Colchicine. Extracted from the seeds of the common meadow saffron; has similar properties to veratrine, but is crystalline, and soluble in water.

4009. Harmaline

4009.    Harmaline. A substance forming yellowish prismatic crystals, obtained from the Peganum Harmala, a plant abounding in southern Russia. By oxidation it yields Harmine, a fine red dye-stuff, also possessing basic properties.

4010. Theine, or Caffeine

4010.    Theine, or Caffeine. This is an alkaloid principle extracted from tea, coffee, Paraguay tea, etc.. It forms in tufts of white silky needles.

4011. Theobromine

4011.    Theobromine. A white crystalline powder obtained from the cacao-nuts from which chocolate is prepared. Its properties are somewhat similar to theine.

4012. Xanthine

4012.      Xanthine. A white powder, which may be obtained from guanine, which it resembles in its properties. It dissolves easily in ammonia or potash.

4013. Creatine

4013.    Creatine. This alkaloid, called by some kreatine, is a crystallizable substance obtained from the juice of the muscular fibre of animals. It forms brilliant, colorless prismatic crystals. Creatine is a neutral body combining with neither acids nor alkalies. By the action of strong acids it is converted into creatinine, a powerful organic base, with a strong alkaline reaction, and forming crystallizable salts with acids. Creatine, treated by boiling with a solution of baryta, produces Sarcosine.

4014. Sarcine

4014.    Sarcine. This base is a constituent of the flesh of animals. It forms in delicate white microscopic needles, soluble with difficulty in cold water, easily in boiling water. It is obtained from the same source as creatine. (See No. 4013 (Creatine).)