COFFEA ARABICA 147 



by Herzog. It also exists in tea, formerly known as " the- 

 ine " which is now known to be identical with caffeine ; both 

 are expressed by the formula CgHjjN.p^+HjO. It crystal- 

 lizes in fine, silky needles, is colorless, odorless and slightly 

 bitter. 



It is considered a substitute for digitalis, especially valuable 

 as a diuretic and where cerebral anemia exists. Germain See 

 values it as a preventive medicine, acting principally upon 

 the heart and thus preventing fatigue ; with this end in view 

 he advises its use before long marches, violent exercise and all 

 conditions where the heart will be called upon to do a greatly 

 increased amount of work. Dose 0.25 gram to 1 or 2 grams a 

 day given by stomach or hypodermic injection. 



Caffeine is also useful in headache, neuralgia, and asthma and 

 as a general tonic. For the latter action it is best given in pill 

 form, 0.02-0.04 gram a day, with the extract of cinchona or 

 other bitter tonic. 



" Etoxy-caffeine," which is caffeine in which an atom of H has 

 been replaced by the CJSfi, exists as white, needle-like crys- 

 tals, slightly soluble in water ; it is narcotic and sedative to 

 the cerebro-spinal system. In doses of 0.24 gram it is useful 

 in headache. 



Botanical Description. — " A small tree that reaches a 

 height of 8-9°. It grows readily in the province of Batangas 

 without cultivation," Blanco. 



A small tree or shrub with leaves opposite, smooth, glossy, 

 rich green, oval, edges fluted. Flowers fragrant, white, grow- 

 ing in small clusters in the axils of the leaves. Calyx 4-5- 

 toothed. Corolla short-tubed with 4-5 spreading lobes of 

 about the same length. Berry red, containing two plano-convex 

 seeds enveloped in arils. 



The plant is widely cultivated in gardens. It finds ideal 

 conditions for growth in some of the hilly and mountainous 

 regions of Luzon, notably in Benguet and Batangas. 



