Succinic Acid

Succinic Acid derives its name from its having been originally found in amber (Lat. succinum). Succinic acid occurs as a natural constituent not only in amber, but also in the resins of many of the pine tribe, in the leaves of the lettuce and wormwood; and in the animal kingdom it has been detected in the fluids of hydatid cysts and hydrocele, in the parenchymatous juices of the thymus gland of the calf, and of the pancreas and thyroid gland of the ox. Succinic acid is convertible into tartaric acid, and conversely.