5. If a few drops of a solution of iodine in iodide of potassium be added to alcohol, and then sufficient caustic potash be added to decolourise it, a crystalline precipitate of iodoform with its characteristic odour will be formed.
6. If copper turnings be added to a solution containing alcohol, then some strong nitric and sulphuric acid, and the mixture warmed, the odour of sweet spirit of nitre will be given off.
7. On warming with sodium or lead acetate and sulphuric acid the odour of acetic ether is evolved.
Alcohol in the Contents of the Stomach or in the Tissues.—The contents of the stomach, or the tissues bruised and macerated in distilled water, should be carefully distilled in a water bath. It will be necessary to neutralise the liquid prior to distillation. The distillate should be mixed with chloride of calcium or anhydrous sulphate of copper, and re-distilled. The liquid thus obtained is shaken with dry carbonate of potash, and allowed to settle. The alcohol rises to the top of the mixture, whence it may be removed by the aid of a pipette, and tested as before mentioned.
Treatment.—Immediate use of the stomach pump and emetics; to empty the stomach a hypodermic injection of apomorphine may be given. Affusion of cold water to the head, or the injection of cold water into the ears, may be tried. The administration of ammonia, and the employment of galvanism, have been of service in some cases.
COCAINE
Cocaine is an alkaloid obtained from the Erythroxylon Coca. It produces a paralysing effect upon the endings of sensory nerves, and is used as a local anæsthetic. When absorbed into the blood it paralyses the vagus and causes increased rapidity of the pulse. Applied to the eye it causes dilatation of the pupil. It first has a stimulating action on the centres of the brain and spinal cord, finally paralysing them. It produces death by paralysis of respiration, according to Mosso, by causing tetanus of the respiratory muscles.
Symptoms.—The symptoms produced are pallor, cyanosis, faintness, and cold sweats, pain in the precordial region, rapid pulse, intermittent heart beat, laboured respiration. The pupils are dilated. Speech becomes incoherent, there may be trismus of the jaws, the ideas are confused, and there may be delirium. Tetanic spasms of muscles may occur, and convulsions, also loss of consciousness.
Chronic poisoning, following the cocaine habit, produces a long series of symptoms which are manifestations of mental and physical degeneration, which in extreme cases may pass on to insanity, with hallucinations and delusions.
Fatal Dose.—Half a grain injected into the gum of an adult has caused alarming symptoms, and two-thirds of a grain has caused death. Recovery has taken place after forty-three grains were taken by the mouth.