[Auguste Laurent and alcaloids]

A Laurent did not feel interested in alcaloids in the same way as his fellow-chemists. He however investigated a great number of them, with much attention. These natural or artificial compounds constituted in his hands a medium to correct the results of many analyses, the size of molecules and to get a better knowledge of their structures. These nitrogenous substances make the joint of his chemical method, being together a hudge experimental field and a means to test his theory.