BE′BEERINE

(bēbe′-ĕr-in‡). C 19 H 21 NO 3 . [Eng., Fr.] Syn. Bi′birine (bē′-bĕr-ĭn); Bebeeri′na , Bibiri′na , ., L. A peculiar alkaloid, discovered by Dr Rodie, in the bark and seeds of the beeberu, bibiri, or green-heart tree ( nectan′dra Rodiæ′i , Schomb.), of British Guiana; and since minutely examined by Maclagan and Tilley, and by Von Planta. Prep. 1. That of commerce, which generally contains some sipirine (—? altered bebeerine), and a little lime, is generally first obtained in the form of sulphate, by a proce analogous to that employed in the preparation of sulphate of quinine; and from this salt it is precipitated by the addition of ammonia or an alkali. 2. (Pure.) By precipitating the sulphate with ammonia, washing the precipitate with very cold water, and triturating it, whilst still moist, with fresh hydrated oxide of lead; next drying the mixture by a gentle heat, exhausting the residuum with alcohol, distilling off the alcohol, and treating the last residuum with ether; the ethereal solution on evaporation leaves pure bebeerine, under the form of a white or yellowish-white, resinous-looking substance, which is pure white when powdered. Prop., . Amorphous; uncrystallisable; non-volatile; bitter-tasted; inodorous; unalterable in the air; very slightly soluble in water; very soluble in alcohol; le so in ether; reaction alkaline; when quite pure, melts at 355° Fahr., and on cooling forms a vitreous or semi-vitreous ma (Winckler); at a higher temperature it suffers decomposition; ignited on platinum-foil, it burns without leaving any carbonaceous residue; neutralises acids forming uncrystallisable salts, most of which are soluble in water.— Prod. From the bark, 1·5 to 1·75%; dried seed, 2·5% (nearly). Use, . Bebeeru-bark has been proposed and occasionally employed as a substitute for cinchona bark, and bebeerine for quinine, in the usual cases; but whether as a tonic, febrifuge, or antiperiodic, they appear le powerful and certain than these last.— Dose , 2 to 12 gr. or more. (See below .)