V.—On the Connection between Chemical Constitution and Physiological Action. Part. I.—On the Physiological Action of the Salts of the Ammonium Bases, derived from Strychnia, Brucia, Thebaia, Codeia, Morphia, and Nicotia

Abstract

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.