Cocaine being an irritant, it must be remembered that after the anæsthesia the lameness is somewhat more marked than before.
To the cocaine other practitioners add morphia in the following proportions:
| Cocaine hydrochlorate | 2-1/2 grains. |
| Morphia | 1-1/2 " |
| Aqua destil | 1-1/2 drams. |
As a diagnostic this mixture of the two is said to be far superior to either cocaine or morphia alone.
In connection with this subject, Professor Hobday has published, among others, the following cases illustrating the practical value of this method of diagnosis:[A]
[Footnote A: The Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics vol. viii., pp. 27, 43.]
CASE I.—Cab gelding. Seat of lameness somewhat obscure; navicular disease suspected. Injected 2 grains of cocaine in aqueous solution on either side of the limb, immediately over the metacarpal nerves.
Five Minutes.—Lameness perceptibly diminished.
Ten Minutes.—Lameness scarcely perceptible.
CASE II.—Mare. Obscure lameness; foot suspected. Injected 30 minims of a 5 per cent. solution on either side of the leg just above the fetlock.