Medical Jurisprudence And Toxicology

COCAINE

693

The presence of chalk, antifebrin, aspirin, starch, etc. along with novo-
caine does not interfere with the determination. They are easily removed
from the solution by a preliminary filtration, but the presence of alkaline
carbonates and lime necessitates the use of stronger (20 per cent) hydro-
chloric acid. In other cases 10 per cent acid is quite good.

Fig. 191.—Microphotograph of Cocaine crystals X 150.

(K.B. Dr. N. J. Vazijdar.) (Obtained by gold
chloride test with cocaine solution, 1 in 1,000.)

5. Chromic Acid Test.—A 5 per cent solution of chromic acid or a 7.5
per cent solution of potassium bichromate, added drop by drop to a solution
of cocaine hydrochloride, produces a yellow precipitate which disappears
immediately on shaking. If 1 cc. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is then
added to the clear solution, a more or less crystalline, orange precipitate is
formed.

Medico-Legal Points.—Accidental cases of poisoning by cocaine have
occurred from internal use,"from hypodermic injections, and from urethral,
vesical and rectal injections.

A few cases of suicide have been recorded. Like opium, cocaine is|
believed to be an aphrodisiac and to increase the duration of the sexual act
by paralysing the sensory nerves of the glans penis. Hence young men
indulge in its use. It may be used for this purpose by local application, but
it is ordinarily taken in j>repored pan. The habit once established is difficult
to be given up. About a grain of cocaine hydrochloride is first taken, but
the craving for the drug soon increases and the daily ration is increased to
30 grains or even more. K. C. Bose 45 reports a case in which a man, aged
52 years, was taking daily a few grains less than two drachms and another
case of a Mahomedan boy, 12 years old, who was in the habit of taking 12
grains every day. This pernicious habit has become so common that Gov-

45. Ind. Med. Goaf., March 1902, pp. 86-87.