RUBIACEZ:. 29] 
es of these alkaloids are sufficient to cause a specific 
He considers that the action of caffeine demon- 
simple filter. (Nouveaue Remédes, Mars 24, 1887.) 
illustrate the toxical effects of coffee, the following 
amples may suffice: Fifty minutes after ‘taking a drachm 
itrate of caffeine a burning sensation in the throat was 
ee ned of, and giddiness with vomiting, purging, and 
abdominal pain. General paresis with tremor ensued, followed 
vollapse, but the mind remained clear (Routh, Practitioner, 
x1., 48). Fort took an infusion of eight ounces of coffee in 
: t of water in the course of a day. The pulse rose to 
sleep was impossible, muscular Spasms occurred all over 
dy, and were very painful in the extremities, chest, and - 
The tongue was dry, there was nausea with fre- 
f liquid stools, and the pulse ranged from 110 to. 
and was intermittent. The next day there was headache 
anorexia. (Bull. de Thérap., civ. 850.) The experiments 
eritz upon cultivations of various bacteria (Berl. Klin. 
schr.,1890,) show that tincture of coffee possesses marked 
eptic properties. These properties cannot be due to 
2, which has little effect as a germicide, the tannin may 
some influence, but it is probably the products formed 
ng roasting which are the most active agents. It is 
kable that a cup of coffee may be exposed to the air in 
om for a week or two without the appearance of any 
organisms in it. 
lescription.—The seeds are oval, longitudinally grooved 
the flat side, usually almost completely deprived of the 
hment-like, finely-wrinkled testa, fragments of which 
in the groove and sometimes upon the back. The horny 
men is of the shape of the seed, according to the 
, of a yellowish, brownish, bluish, or greenish tint, and 
ed, or rather rolled up, whereby the groove is produced. 
embryo is situated under the convex side near one end, is 
ly curved, and occupies about one-fourth the length 
r coffee has a~ rey faint done: pres: 
