COCAINE. 
§ 426.] 
357 
active component. There are also a number of other preparations of 
cocaine in commerce, e.g. a solution of adrenaline and cocaine hydro¬ 
chloride, much used by dentists, each c.c. of which contains 0-03 mgrm. 
of adrenaline and 20 mgrms. of cocaine hydrochloride. A “ soloid ” of 
adrenaline and cocaine hydrochloride (B. W. & Co.), each containing 
0-32 mgrm. of adrenaline and 8 mgrms. of cocaine hydrochloride—the 
dry product—is also used by dentists, this soloid being pressed against 
the gum. A hypodermic solution of adrenaline and cocaine hydrochloride, 
each c.c. equalling 0-03 mgrm. of adrenaline and 20 mgrms. of cocaine 
hydrochloride, is sold under the name of “ Hypoloid ” adrenalini et 
cocainae hydrochloridi (B. W. & Co.). It is also combined with epinine 
(3 : 4-dihydroxyphenyl-ethyl-methyl-amine) in similar proportions. 
§ 426. Separation of Cocaine, and Tests. —Cocaine may be ex¬ 
tracted from organic tissues or organic matters by extraction by means of 
an alcoholic solution of tartaric acid ; after filtration, the filtrate is 
evaporated to dryness or to a syrup at a temperature of about 80° C., the 
residue taken up with strong alcohol, the alcohol driven off by a gentle 
heat, and the final residue dissolved in water and filtered. This watery 
solution should be quite clear, and not exceed 50 c.c. 
The acid should now be over-neutralised by ammonia and shaken out 
three times by means of benzol (or toluene); the final benzol extract 
should leave on evaporation scarcely any visible residue. (Cocaine is 
also one of the few alkaloids that can be extracted by petroleum ether.) 
After getting rid of the solvent, any residue should have an alkaline 
reaction, and it is best to dissolve it in a few c.c. of warm alcohol and 
allow it to crystallise spontaneously. 
/-Cocaine crystallises in clear monoclinic prisms with parallel ex¬ 
tinction; refraction 1-62 and 1-50; melting-point 98-5°, that is, just 
under the heat of boiling water. 
Miilliken 1 suggests that a physiological test of the supposed cocaine 
be made as-follows :—The base is neutralised by very dilute HC1 and dis¬ 
solved in water so as to make approximately a 3 per cent, solution. A 
drop of this is placed on 1 square cm. of filter-paper. “ Lay this on 
upper surface of the tongue near the tip. After ten or fifteen seconds 
add a second drop of solution to the paper, and after thirty seconds a 
third. The taste produced is slightly saline and bitter, followed by a 
peculiar sensation of tingling and numbness of the part of the tongue 
in contact with the solution, which reaches a maximum after two or three 
minutes and nearly disappears within ten minutes.” 
H. Hankin 2 dissolves cocaine in a saturated solution of alum and 
adds a drop of this solution to a dried film of permanganate solu¬ 
tion. Cocaine, alypin, tropacocaine, and scopolamine form crystalline 
1 A Method for the Identification of Pure Organic Compounds, by G. P. Miilliken, 
vol. ii., 1916. 2 Analyst 1911. 
