188 DEPRESSANTS TO PERIPHERAL NERVES 



mum dilatation. The pupil still responds to light, and there is 

 neither paralysis of accommodation nor increase in intraocular ten- 

 sion, so the effects differ from those following atropine. 



Temperature. There is no effect upon the temperature from me- 

 dicinal doses, but large or toxic doses cause an elevation of temperature. 



Kidneys. There is an increased amount of urine voided but a 

 decrease in the per cent, of urea. 



Absorption and Excretion. Cocaine is rapidly absorbed from 

 the gastrointestinal tract and from the subcutaneous or submucous 

 tissues when the local vasoconstriction has passed away or if the 

 solution is too dilute to cause constriction of the vessels. It is prac- 

 tically all destroyed in the body, so that there is no remote effect on 

 the urinary system. 



Toxicology. The symptoms of poisoning by cocaine are quite 

 variable but usually consist of excitement followed by delirium and 

 finally depression, stupor, rapid pulse, hurried respirations, dilata- 

 tion of the pupils, increase of body temperature and convulsions. 



According to Cushny, in the dog and cat the symptoms are in- 

 variably those of stimulation of the central nervous system. The 

 animals show symptoms of great restlessness and excitement soon 

 after the injection ; they seem unable to keep still, the dogs at first 

 showing all the signs of affection and excitement which they ordi- 

 narily display on being unchained or taken for a walk, but after- 

 ward running continually in a circle and paying but little attention 

 to anything around them. Still later regular convulsions occur, first 

 clonic, but may become tonic, and then resemble those seen in 

 strychnine poisoning. Even before the convulsions occur the animals 

 seem partially unconscious and in the intervals between the convul- 

 sions lie in an apathetic state, which soon deepens to coma and death 

 from asphyxia. 



In the horse a toxic dose of cocaine (3j) causes restlessness and 

 excitement, muscular twitching and trembling, rythmical movements 

 of the head, dilated pupils and salivation followed within an hour 

 by a stage of acute mania and great excitement. 



Smaller doses (ordinary therapeutic ones) in certain individuals 

 cause exhilaration, nervousness, excitement, dilatation of the pupils, 

 twitching of the ears, and increased respirations. Race horses which 

 have been stimulated with cocaine show these symptoms well and in 

 addition do not cool out well. 



Treatment. This is mainly symptomatic. For circulatory and 

 respiratory failure, ammonia, strychnine and atropine. In convul- 

 sions chloroform or ether by inhalation, performing artificial respira- 

 tion if necessary. For excitement use chloral or bromides or other 

 sedative. 



Untoward Effects. These are : 



1. From protoplasmic irritation. Cloudiness and ulceration of 



