Li NUM. 205 



Composition. Coca leaves contain a yellowish-white crys- 

 talline bitter alkaloid, coca'in, Ci 7 H 2 iN0 4 , which is converted by 

 heat into a second alkaloid, ecgonin, C 9 H 15 N0 3 , benzoic acid, 

 and methylic alcohol. 



Dose. | to 4 dr. of the leaves ; to 1 gr. of cocain. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Coca is believed to possess stimulant, restorative, or even 

 nutritive properties, enabling persons who chew the leaf to 

 undergo great muscular exertion with little or no fatigue. 

 In animals the alkaloid causes great muscular restlessness or 

 excitement, and finally convulsions ; the whole brain, medulla, 

 and cord being powerfully stimulated. The pupils are dilated ; 

 respiration rises in frequency, is disturbed in rhythm, and 

 finally ceases. The heart is greatly accelerated by paralysis of 

 the vagus ; the blood pressure first rises and then falls. The 

 muscles themselves remain unaffected. The amount of urea 

 is said to be diminished, as if from diminished metabolism ; 

 but coca does not prolong the life of starved animals. 



This drug has been used to prevent muscular exhaustion ; 

 in wasting attended with increased formation of urea (azo- 

 turia) ; in convalescence ; in mental exhaustion ; and in the 

 opium habit. It has somewhat disappointed expectation. 



LINAGES. 



L.ini Semiiia LINSEED. The seeds of Linura 

 usitatissimum, Flax. Cultivated in Britain. 



Characters. Small, oval, pointed, flat, with acute edges, 

 smooth shining brown externally, yellowish- white within, of a 

 mucilaginous oily taste. 



Composition. The seeds of flax contain a quantity of 

 mucilage, chiefly in the testa or coat, and from ^ to ^ of their 

 weight of the officinal fixed oil. This consists chiefly of the 

 glyceride of linole'ic acid, which has a powerful affinity for 

 oxygen, and thus becomes resinoid on exposure, constituting 

 it a " drying oil." The linseed meal, obtained after expression 

 of the oil, consists chiefly of mucilage, proteids, salts, a little 

 oil, but neither starch nor sugar. 



Preparations. 



1. Farina Lini. Linseed Meal. Linseed ground and deprived 

 of oil, and the cakes powdered. 



