San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-03-23
ANALYSIS OF THE STOMACH.

ANALYSIS OF THE STOMACH.
The stomach and contents weighed
1859
The mucous surface had begun to de-
compose and the mucous membrane on
the lower curvature was slightly thick
ened.
The contents of the stomach were acid
in reaction, and the odOr peculiar to the
gastric fluids.
Diligent search failed to reveal any
substance resembling either capsule or
pill.
The contents of the stomach were
very thick, almost sepi-solid in consist
ence.
The mucous membrane was separated
from the muscular coats Of the stomach,
and after being minutely divided, mixed
with contents of stomach.
The remainder of the stomach was
washed with distilled water, the wash
ings concentrated, and added to the con-
tents of stomach contained in a small
porcelain capsule.
The mixture was then divided into
two portions Of one half each and treated
as follows:
One portion,.was transferred to flask
and svaporated to dryness on water
bath, the dry extract thus obtained was
completely exhausted with anhydrous
alcohol acidulated with tartaric acid.
The complete separation of all aka
loidal principles from the residual mat
ter was insured by using the strongest
alcohol obtainable, and in successive
portions always in great excess of the
substance treated, and each time sepa-
rating as completely as possible. The
alcoholic fluids thus obtained were
mixed and filtered, the filter washed
with absolute alcohol, and the washings
added to the filtrate.
The greater portion Of the alcohol was
removed by distillation, and the mixture
further concentrated on water bath in
porcelain capsule, fatty matters sepa-
rated, were removed by filtration and
filter washed with absolute alcohol, and
washings added to the fiitrate and evsp-
Grated to dryhess on water bath.
The residue was treated with success
sive portions of distilled water (Which
left only fatty matters) the solution fl
water, washings were added to
the fltrate, the tiltrate concentrated
by careful evaporation, and when cool
neutralized with caustic seds and excess
Of carbonate soda (pure) added and the
mixture allowed to stand for twelve
hours.
NoTE.-No tarbidity occurred.
No precipitate formed.
The mixture boiled for few minutes
and allowed to cool.
No precipitate formed.
This mixture was now agitsted with
stronger ether for o half hour, allowed
to stand, the ethereal layer separated by
means Of pipette and allowed to evap-
crate spontaneously In a porcelain cap
sule. This treatment was repeated sew
eral times with view to separating any
quinine that might be contained in the
liquid, liberated from its combination
by the addition of sodium carbonate.
But the ethereal solutions on evapora-
tion failed to yield any substance of an
alkaloidal character.
The aqueous solution was then freed
from dissolved ether by immersion In a
water bath, and when cool repeatedly
shaken with acetic ether added in sue
cessive portions and separated by means
of pipette, the different ethereal
solutions mixed and the greater
portion allowed to evaporate spon-
taneously, the remainder volatil-
lied on water bath. (See above).
But nothing of an alkaloidal character
was obtained on evaporation Of this 80
luton.
NoTE.-The object OF this trestme I
was to separate any morphine present
in the aqueous mixture liberated from
its combination by addition of sodium
carbonate.
This method furnishes us the means
Of separating quiRine from morphine,
the alkaloid quinine being soluble in
ether, In which menstrual morphine ia
inseluble, but is readily soluble in acetic
ether.
The aqueous solution was next treated
with mixture Of ether and soetic elher
but this treatment also failed to separate
any substance having an alkaloidal char.
acter.
The remaining half of contents Of
stomach were treated in an exactly sim.
liar manner as was the first portion, the
various ethereal solutions obtained were
allowed to evaporate in the same vessels
used for the evaporation of the various
ethereal solutions obtained from the first
portion examined, hoping that by an &C
emulation Of the various residues tC
separate alkaloldal substances.