1910.] The Effect of some Local Anesthetics on Nerve. 425 
results, we find that such addition also quickens the effect of this drug on 
nerve conductivity, and further that it prolongs the duration of the resulting 
block. But it is obvious that Gros’ solution* is too complex to warrant his 
explanation of this acceleration. 
In our hands solutions of cocaine base have acted much less rapidly than 
equimolecular solutions of its hydrochloride. 
We have found this both with Merck’s cocaine (base) and with the base 
which we prepared from our solutions of (Merck’s) cocaine hydrochloride, by 
precipitating with ammonia, washing free from chloride, and drying the solid. 
We have also found the hydrochloride, re-formed from this precipitated base, 
to possess its original activity. These results are shown in Table II. 
Table II.—Comparison of Cocaine Base and its Hydrochloride, N/300 in 
each case. 
Base (Merck) ............... No block in 10 mins. 
SaltM (ye. eh neces wane neces Complete block in 2°5 mins, 
Base (precipitated) ......... 3 PALS. i sy 
Salt (Merck) ..........c000 3; ae Woe yy: 
Salt (re-formed) ............ 3 9 ee ee 
Stovaine.t 
With stovaine, the block ensues more rapidly and lasts longer than with 
equimolecular solutions of cocaine hydrochloride. Further, more dilute 
solutions are effective, and temperature has less influence than with the 
latter drug. Gros (Joc. cit.) also noticed that stovaine abolished excitability 
of nerve the more rapidly, and that this abolition was accelerated by traces 
of alkali, a fact which he explains as in the case of cocaine. We have 
obtained effects analogous to this, but find the acceleration less marked than 
with the cocaine salt. 
As the base of stovaine is an oil, that does not lend itself readily to 
purification, we have not compared its effects with those of the hydrochloride. 
On muscle and on the electrical response of nerve, Veley and Wallert 
found cocaine hydrochloride and stovaine to act with practically equal 
rapidity. 
* N/100 cocaine hydrochloride, 10 cc. ; N/100 sodium hydrate, 8 c.c.; 0°7 per:.cent. 
sodium chloride, 2 c¢.c. 
+ We are indebted to M. Fourneau for our samples of stovaine and its homologues. 
t Veley and Waller, ‘ Roy. Soc. Proc.,’ B, 1910, vol. 82, p. 147. 
