Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 January 2013
There can be no reasonable doubt that a relation exists between the physiological action of a substance and its chemical composition and constitution, understanding by the latter term the mutual relations of the atoms in the substance. There are numerous indications of such a relation, and attempts have been made to express it formally in certain cases. Thus it has been long observed, that the salts of the same base have a common physiological action, and it has been pointed out by Mr Blake that, with some exceptions, the salts of isomorphous bases have a similar action. A corresponding likeness in physiological action may be traced in salts having the same acid, but beyond these generalisations we are not aware that any approach has been made to the statement of a law connecting the physiological action of a substance with its chemical constitution.
page 151 note * Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, vol. iv. Jan. 28, 1841, p. 285.
page 152 note * More correctly, “the exhaustion of the potential energy” of each pair of united equivalents. See Thomson and Tait's Treatise in Natural Philosophy, § 547.
page 154 note * Bunsen, , Annalen der Chemie and Pharmacie, vol. xlvi. p. 10 (1843).Google Scholar
page 154 note † Stahlschmidt, , Poggendorff's Annalen, vol. cviii, p. 523 (1859).Google Scholar
page 154 note ‡ Ibid. p. 541.
page 154 note § Landolt, , Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie, vol. lxxxix. p. 331 (1854).Google Scholar
page 154 note ║ Ibid. vol. lxxxiv. p. 49 (1852).
page 157 note * Transactions, vol. xxi. p. 32 (1854).
page 157 note † Poggendorff's Annalen, vol. cviii, p. 513 (1859).
page 157 note ‡ As iodide of methyl prepared directly from pyroxylic spirit is apt to become acid, it is advisable, if such impure iodide of methyl be used, to add a small quantity of an alkali (such as carbonate of potash), in order to prevent any of the strychnia being converted into a salt, and thus remaining unacted on by the iodide of methyl.
page 161 note * Wochenblatt der Zeitschrift der k. k. Gesellschaft der Aertze in Wien; vi. Band, 1866, pp. 157–162.
page 163 note * The numbers in this, and in the other short tables that are appended to the description of the physiological action of the derivatives of each alkaloid, have reference, in common with the numbers in the text, to the arrangement in the complete table at the end of the paper.
page 164 note * Journal für praktische Chemie, vol. lxvii, p. 46.
page 164 note † Poggendorff's Annalen, vol. cviii, p. 535 (1859).
page 170 note * Comptes Rendus, vol. lix. 1864, p. 413.
page 170 note † The methyl derivatives of thebaia have not been described. We shall take some other opportunity of giving details of their chemical relations.
page 176 note * Comptes Rendus, vol. lix. (1864) p. 413.
page 176 note † Chemical Society's Quarterly Journal, vol. vi. (1853) p. 134.
page 176 note ‡ We shall give details of the chemical relations of the methyl derivatives of codeia on some other occasion.
page 182 note * Bernard, Claude, Comptes Rendus, vol. lix. 1864, p. 413.Google Scholar
page 182 note ‡ Chemical Society's Quarterly Journal, vol. vi. (1853) p. 126.
page 184 note * Dr Fraser.
page 187 note * Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie, vol. lxxxvii, p. 1 (1853).
page 187 note † Ibid. vol. xc. p. 222 (1854).