ALKALOIDS. 607 



Analytical reactions : 



1. Cocaine salts are precipitated from an aqueous solution as fol- 

 lows : Platinum chloride produces a yellowish-white, mercuric chlo- 

 ride a white nocculent, picric acid a yellow pulverulent, the alkali 

 carbonates and hydroxides a white precipitate, which latter is soluble 

 in ammonia. 



2. To a cocaine solution, strongly acidified with hydrochloric acid, 

 add some potassium dichromate, when an orange-colored crystalline 

 precipitate of cocaine chromate forms. 



3. Add 1 c.c. of a 3 per cent, solution of potassium permanganate 

 to 1 centigramme of cocaine hydrochloride dissolved in 2 drops of 

 water; a violet precipitate forms which appears brownish-violet when 

 collected on a filter. 



4. Boil a small quantity of cocaine solution for a few minutes with 

 dilute sulphuric acid ; neutralize carefully with potassium hydroxide 

 and then add a few drops of ferric chloride solution. A pale, brownish- 

 yellow precipitate of basic ferric benzoate will form. 



Substitutes for cocaine. Several synthetics have been introduced to 

 take the place of cocaine. Some of these are the following : 



Alypin, (CH 3 ) 2 N.CH 2 .C(C 2 H 5 )(C 6 H 5 COO).CH 2 .N(CH 3 ) 2 .HC1, is the hydro- 

 chloride of the benzoyl-ethyl-tetramethyldiamido derivative of secondary 

 propyl alcohol. It is a white hygroscopic powder, very soluble in water and 

 alcohol, of a neutral reaction and bitter taste. It is a local anesthetic, claimed 

 to be equal to cocaine, but not a mydriatic, and less toxic than cocaine. It is 

 used externally in a 10 per cent, solution and hypodermically in a 1 to 4 per 

 cent, solution. 



Beta-eucaine hydrochloride, C 5 H 7 N.(CH 3 )3( CeHsCOO^HCl, is a salt of 

 trimethyl-benzoyl-hydroxypiperidine. It is a white powder, soluble in 20 

 parts of water and in 14 parts of alcohol. Its solutions can be boiled without 

 change, and are precipitated by alkalies or carbonates. It is a local anesthetic 

 like cocaine, but weaker, and does not dilate the pupil or contract the blood- 

 vessels. It is used in a 2 to 3 per cent, solution in the eye, and 5 to 10 per 

 cent, solution or ointment on other parts. 



Holocaine hydrochloride, CH 3 ,C( :N.CeH 4 .OC 2 H5)(.NH.C 6 H 4 .OC 2 H 5 )JICl, 



is the salt of a basic condensation product of paraphenetidin and acetparaphe- 

 netidin (phenacetin). It forms colorless, neutral or faintly alkaline crystals, 

 odorless, slightly bitter, and producing transient numbness on the tongue. It 

 is soluble in 50 parts of water, easily in alcohol. The solution is precipitated 

 by alkalies and carbonates and the alkaloidal reagents. Porcelain should be 

 used in making solutions, as alkali from glass causes a turbidity. 



The salt is a local anesthetic like cocaine, but having a quicker effect and 

 antiseptic action. A 1 per cent, solution is employed. It is more toxic than 

 cocaine. 



