42 COFFEE 



half per cent will inhibit the growth of many pathogenic organ- 

 isms. A ten per cent infusion will kill anthrax bacilli in three 

 hours, cholera spirilla in four hours, and most other bacteria in two 

 to six days.^^ Green coffee-infusions do not possess this antiseptic 

 action which is probably due to the empyreumatic products developed 

 during roasting. 



Coffee is a cerebrospinal stimulant, promotes wakefulness, and 

 gives relief from fatigue and hunger. The comfortable feeling pro- 

 duced by a cup of coffee is due to the volatile oils which have 

 a carminative effect.^^ In collapse, hot coffee may be administered 

 by the mouth or by the rectum.^* Coffee is said to increase the peris- 

 taltic movements of the intestine ^^ and therefore acts as a laxative.^^ 

 Experimentation has convinced the author that a tincture of raw 

 coffee is a more efficient diuretic than the infusion from the roasted 

 bean. This action is useful in medicine, as diuresis serves to remove 

 toxins which are secreted by the kidneys and may be used to lessen 

 the action of such metals as mercury and lead.^^ Coffee as a diuretic 

 is also useful in dropsy. 



Coffee taken in moderation assists digestion by increasing secre- 

 tory activity ; but, used to excess, it may cause irritation of the mucous 

 membrane.^^ The coffee-beverage, when prepared from the roasted 

 beans, produces wakefulness and brief stimulation of the intellect. 

 This effect is not produced by an infusion of green coffee.^^ Exces- 

 sively roasted coffee-beans produce a bitter beverage which induces 

 irritation and super-mental excitement resulting in sick headaches 

 and insomnia. By stimulating physiological activity, coffee increases 

 tissue-waste and promotes the formation and excretion of urea.^^ 

 Observation of a large number of individuals indicates that coffee 

 agrees especially with stout, phlegmatic, and catarrhal persons. It 

 is not as advantageous to bilious individuals or to those who possess an 

 excessively nervous temperament. Experimentation has shown the 

 author that strong coffee lessens the effects of alcoholic beverages, 

 and that, in cases of light nervous headaches not due to gastric dis- 

 orders, it is immediately effectual. 



Although caffeine is not in common use in medicine, it has value 



'^Potter Therapeutics. Mat. Med. & Pharm. ed. 12 (1913) 188-189. 

 " Cushny Pharm. & Therapeutics ed. 7 (1918) 294. 

 " Bastedo Mat. Med. Pharm. & Therapeutics (1914) 249. 

 "Hatcher & Wilbert The Pharm. & the Physician ed. 2 (1908) ?,2>2. 



