Phytolacca.
Botanical name:
Phytolacca Decandra.—A. Terreil has found in the alcoholic extract of the berries the potassium salt of a new acid, phytolaccic acid; the aqueous solution of this salt is not changed by hydrochloric acid in the cold, but when heated a stiff jelly is produced which is soluble in strong alcohol. The isolated acid is amorphous, yellowish-brown, transparent, non-deliquescent, very soluble in alcohol and water, does not precipitate salts of the earths, but on boiling reduces silver salts. Its aqueous solution is converted into a jelly by strong acids; its alkaline salts are not crystallizable.—Compt. rend., xci, pp. 856-858.
The American Journal of Pharmacy, Vol. 53, 1881, was edited by John M. Maisch.
