Ptomaine n. (Physiol. Chem.) One of a class of animal bases or alkaloids formed in the putrefaction of various kinds of albuminous matter, and closely related to the vegetable alkaloids; a cadaveric poison. The ptomaines, as a class, have their origin in dead matter, by which they are to be distinguished from the leucomaines.
... Germans what spies of theirs we have captured. And, since Sir Joseph and his wife were dead, there would have been no profit in publishing broadcast the story of the battle. So they agreed to let it be known that they died peacefully or rather painfully in their beds, of ptomaine poisoning." ... — The Cup of Fury - A Novel of Cities and Shipyards • Rupert Hughes
...Ptomaine (Gr. ptoma, a dead body). One of a class of animal bases or alkaloids formed in the putrefaction of ... — A Practical Physiology • Albert F. Blaisdell
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