Alkaloid

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) a substance resembling an alkali in properties. Alkaloids are natural organic bases containing nitrogen, and having high molecular weights. They occur in many plants, and some in animal tissues; they have not, except conine, been formed by synthesis. They are substitution compounds of ammonia; most are tertiary amines. They have mostly a bitter taste, act powerfully on the animal system, and are used in medicine as quinine, morphine, and strychnine; they are frequently violent poisons. ALLAH (compounded of the article al and ilâhi. e., "the god," a word cognate with the Hebrew Eloah), the Arabic name of the supreme god among the heathen Arabs, adopted by Mohammed for the one true God. See MOHAMMED and MOHAMMEDANISM. ALLAHABAD. (1) A division of British India; has an area of 17,264 square miles, is one of the most fertile and populous portions of India. (2) A district of the above division, lying around the junction of the Jumna and Ganges. Area 2,852 square miles. (3) The capital of the division of Allahabad; at the confluence of the Ganges and Jumna; seat of government of the Northwestern provinces; 72 miles W. of Benares. It carries on a large trade, especially in sugar, cotton, indigo, gold and silver ornaments, and furniture. It is a resort of Hindu pilgrims and the seat of an annual fair, usually attended by about 250,000 persons. Among the principal buildings are the fort founded by Akbar Khan in 1575, the Juma Masjid mosque, Sultan Khusru's caravansary, and the Muir Central College (1874). The town was taken by the British in 1765, and assigned by them to the titular Emperor of Delhi, but transferred to the Nawab of Oudh in 1771, who restored it to the British in 1801. It suffered severely during the mutiny of 1857. Pop. about 170,000.