The platinochloride, as before observed, is precipitable by ether from alcoholic solution; it contains 28·3 per cent. of platinum, and decomposes at 197°.
The base produces tetanus.
§ 680. Tetanotoxine may be distilled, and be found in the distillate with other matters. It forms an easily soluble gold salt, melting-point 130°. The platinochloride is soluble with difficulty, and decomposes at 240°. The hydrochloride is soluble in alcohol and in water, melting-point about 205°.
Tetanotoxine produces tremor, then paralysis, and lastly, violent convulsions.
§ 681. Mydatoxine, C6H13NO2.—A base obtained by Brieger from horse-flesh in a putrefactive condition and other substances. It is found in the mercury chloride precipitate. The free base is an alkaline syrup, isomeric with the base separated by Brieger from tetanus cultures. The hydrochloride is a deliquescent syrup, not forming any compound with gold chloride, but uniting with phospho-molybdic acid in forming a compound crystallising in cubes. It forms a double salt with gold chloride, sparingly soluble in water. The platinochloride (Pt = 29 per cent.) is very soluble in water, but not soluble in alcohol; melting-point 193° with decomposition.
The base in large doses is poisonous, causing lachrymation, diarrhœa, and convulsions.
§ 682. Mytilotoxine, C6H15NO2.—This is believed to be the poison of mussels. Brieger isolated it as follows:—
The mussels were boiled with water acidified by hydrochloric acid; the liquid was filtered, and the filtrate evaporated to a syrup, and the syrup was repeatedly extracted with alcohol. It was found advisable to exhaust thoroughly with alcohol, otherwise much poison remained behind. The alcoholic solution was treated with an alcoholic solution of lead acetate. The filtrate was evaporated and the residue extracted with alcohol. The lead was removed by SH2, the alcohol distilled off, water added to the remaining syrup, and the solution decolorised by boiling with animal charcoal. The solution was neutralised by sodium carbonate, acidulated with nitric acid, and precipitated with phosphomolybdic acid. The precipitate was then decomposed by warming with a neutral solution of lead acetate, and the filtrate (after the removal of the lead by the action of SH2) was acidulated with HCl and evaporated to dryness. The residue was then extracted with absolute alcohol, filtered from any insoluble chloride, e.g., betaine chloride, and precipitated by mercury chloride in alcohol.
The free base has a most peculiar odour, which disappears on exposure to air; at the same time, the poisonous properties also diminish. The base is destroyed by boiling with sodium carbonate; on the other hand, the hydrochloride may be evaporated to dryness or be boiled without decomposing.