of the University of Pennsylvania. 81 



XIII. 



A PAINLESS ESCHAROTIC. 



IN view of the rapidly growing literature of 

 cocaine it is not impossible that the application 

 which we here briefly describe has already been 

 employed ; but, if so, it has escaped our scrutiny 

 of the later developments regarding this drug. 



When a saturated solution of cocaine hydrochlo- 

 rate in strong nitric acid is applied to the uninjured 

 skin, the ultimate result is precisely that which 

 would occur upon the similar application of pure 

 nitric acid, but the time required for the formation 

 of a deep eschar is considerably longer in the former 

 than in the latter case. 



We have experimented with the mixture just 

 mentioned upon several individuals, ourselves in- 

 cluded, and can safely say that the sensations 

 attending its application cannot be accurately de- 

 scribed as painful. There is, however, a slight 

 pricking sensation soon after the mixture is first 

 dropped upon the skin. 



