COCAINE HYDBOCHLOEIDE 433 



centres, and sometimes as well by depression of the cardiac 

 inhibitory ganglia. Vascular tension is increased because 

 of stimulation of the medullary vasomotor centres, smooth 

 muscle of the vessel walls, and because of the increased 

 action of the heart. On the other hand, both minute and 

 large doses may diminish the pulse rate. 



Respiration. — Cocaine is a respiratory stimulant in 

 medicinal doses, but a paralyzant in toxic amounts. The 

 respiratory centres are first stimulated and the breathing is 

 made deeper and quicker. Depression and paralysis of the 

 respiratory, centres follow ; cyanosis supervenes, and the 

 respirations are shallow and irregular. Death occurs from 

 asphyxia. 



Temperature. — The body heat is elevated, sometimes to 

 an excessive degree, by poisonous doses of cocaine. Medi- 

 cinal doses do not affect the temperature. The rise of tem- 

 perature is said to follow increased heat production. 



Kidneys. — The greater part of the cocaine absorbed is 

 oxidized within the body. The smaller part is eliminated 

 by the kidneys. Experimental evidence concerning the 

 influence of the alkaloid upon the secretion and composition 

 of the urine is conflicting and indefinite. • 



Toxicology. — Moderate doses produce in dogs mental 

 exhilaration and joyousness, so that they bark and jump 

 about with delight. Poisoning with large doses (gr.| of 

 cocaine to 2 lbs. of live weight) may be divided into three 

 stages. In the first stage, there is restlessness, anxiety and 

 terror, with rhythmical movements. Noises frighten the 

 anima! and he fails to recognize his master. The second 

 stage is characterized by a joyous condition, in which dogs 

 bark, dance about and lick people's hands. In the third 

 stage, weakness and nervous phenomena appear, — as mus- 

 cular twitching, rhythmical movements, a pendulum-like 

 motion of the head, convulsions and stupor. There is dys- 

 pnoea, feeble pulse and failing respiration. In an experiment 

 upon a Newfoundland dog, weighing about 100 lbs., con- 

 ducted by the writer, there were no symptoms produced by 

 3 grains of cocaine under the skin, except dilation of the 



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