Ptomaines and Leucomaines

Peculiar basic compounds have for some time been known to exist in the tissues of animals corresponding to the alkaloids formed in the course of the development of plants. These basic compounds are hence termed animal alkaloids. Those are designated ptomaines which are produced in the course of pathological processes, and are due to the actions of pathogenic organisms. When the powers of microbes in setting up morbid states was first discovered, these results were ascribed to the immediate action of these bodies, but it has been ascertained that in the course of their growth and development they produce pathogenic substances. Among the numerous ptomaines may be mentioned indole and skatole, decomposition products to which the odor of faeces is due mainly; choline and neurine, results of the transformation of lecithin; tyrotoxicon, the poison of milk and cheese; tetanotoxine, derived from the bacillus of tetanus; typhotoxine, from the bacillus of typhoid, etc.

The organic alkaloids with which we are here concerned are produced by certain glands and structures of the body in the course of their normal physiological activity or metabolism. It was not until Brown-Séquard's announcement of the effects of testicular juice that any efforts were made to apply the new principle in practical therapeutics. He ascertained that testicular extract, injected subcutane-ously, had an extraordinary power to restore the muscular strength and to increase the mental activity of the aged. Soon after, Paul and Babes suggested the employment of other extracts supposed to contain leucomaines possessed of certain special physiological powers. Some of these have been proved to possess distinct curative power.