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.
...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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