1890 Coca and its Therapeutic Application by Angelo Mariani

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caine (1). The case was that of an interne of the hospitals attacked with diphtheria who,in order that he might the better bear the spraying with caustics, had his throat painted with a solution of Cocaine. Toward the seventh day he experienced very grave symptoms of poisoning, and the painting had to be suspended. It is better,in cases of this sort, to prescribe extract of Coca, which answers the same purposes without the at tendant danger of Cocaine. One of the greatest triumphs of extract of Coca is assur edly its action in dysphagia and in the vomiting of con sumptives,as also in the vomiting of pregnancy. The first two complications are of the gravest kind, for they con demn to starvation patients whose only chance of safety lies in the activity of the digestive organs(Ch.Fauvel and Coupard). Authors who have given attention to Coca speak very highly of its employment in gastralgia and tardy and laborious digestion. Demarle says on this subject:"Personally,I have found the use of Coca,either before or after eating, excellent for gastrodynia and pyrosis, to which I am subject; hardly have I swallowed the first bit of saliva when the whole unpleasant feeling disappears." Mantegazza speaks of its use in the same strain. The cephalic congestion which accompanies his digestion is relieved; he can work after eating without feeling any uneasiness. Dr.Ch.Gazeau {Thisepour le Doctorat, Paris,1870,Parent, 6dit., pp.61 ct seq.) thus sums up the physiological action of Coca:"On the stomach, slight excitation, anaesthesia, (i) Coucows Medical ii, iSS8. DISEASES OF THE STOMACH.