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The mucilage on postage stamps may not be unhealthy, but persons having a good many to affix to letter envelopes, circulars, newspapers, or other wrappers every day, will consume considerable gum during a year. A less objectionable mode of affixing stamps than the one usually employed is to wet the upper right hand corner of the envelope, and press the stamp upon it. It will be found to adhere quite as well as if the stamp went through the moistening process.

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ERYTHROXYLON.

[Footnote: From an "Ephemeris of Materia Medica, Pharmacy, Therapeutics, and Collateral Information." By Edward E. Squibb, M.D., Edward H. Squibb, S.B., M.D., and Charles F. Squibb, A.B.]

COCA.

The condition of the principal markets of the world for this drug has recently been exceptionally bad. That is, whether good coca was sought for in the ports of Central and South America, or in London, Hamburg, or New York, the search, even without limitation in price, was almost invariably unsuccessful. Not that the drug, independent of quality, was scarce, for hundreds of bales were accessible at all times; but the quality was so poor as to be quite unfit for use. The samples, instead of being green and fragrant, were brown and odorless, or musty and disagreeable, at once condemning the lots they represented, to the most casual observation, and yet the price was high enough to have represented a good article. The best that could be done by the most careful buyers was to accept occasional parcels, the best of which were of very inferior quality, and therefore unfit for medicinal uses, and these at very high prices. Coca is well known to be a very sensitive and perishable drug, only fit for its somewhat equivocal uses when fresh and green, and well cared for in packing and transportation. Very much like tea in this and other respects, it should be packed and transported with the same care and pains, in leaded chests, or in some equivalent package. It is very well known that tea, if managed, transported, handled, and sold as coca is, would be nearly or quite worthless, and therefore coca managed as the great mass of it is must be nearly all of it comparatively worthless. If used as tea is, this would probably soon appear; but when used as a medicine which has been highly extolled and well advertised, it seems to go on equally well whether of good or bad quality. It is pretty safe to say that nineteen-twentieths of the coca seen in this market within the past two years must be almost inert and valueless, yet all is sold and used, and its reputation as a therapeutic agent is pretty well kept up. At least many thousands of pounds of the brown ill-smelling leaf, and of preparations made from it, are annually sold. And worse than this, considerable quantities of a handsome looking green leaf, well put up and well taken care of, have been sold and used as coca, when wanting in nearly all its characteristics.

The writer for more than a year past has seen but one or two small lots of moderately good coca, and in common with other buyers has been obliged to buy the best that could be found to keep up his supply of the fluid extract. Almost every purchase has been made on mental protest, and he has been ashamed of every pound of fluid extract sent out, from the knowledge that it was of poor quality; and there seems to be no more prospect of a supply of better quality than there was this time last year, because so long as an inferior quality sells in such enormous quantities at good prices the demands of trade are satisfied.

Under this condition of the markets, the writer has finally decided to give up making a fluid extract of coca, and has left it off his list, adopting a fluid extract of tea instead, as a superior substitute, for those who may choose to use it, and regrets that this course was not taken a year ago.

The character of coca as a therapeutic agent is not very good. The florid stories of a multitude of travelers and writers, up to and including the testimony of Dr. Mantegazza, received a considerable support from so good an authority as Sir Robert Christison, who reported very definite results from trials made upon himself, and upon several students under his immediate control and observation; and his results seem to have led to a very careful and exhaustive series of observations at University College, London, by Mr. Dowdeswell. This paper, published in The Lancet of April 29 and May 6, 1876, pp. 631 and 664, is entitled "The Coca Leaf: Observations on the Properties and Action of the Leaf of the Coca Plant (Erythroxylon coca), made in the Physiological Laboratory of University College, by G.F. Dowdeswell, B.A." The results of these investigations were absolutely negative, and at the close of the work the investigator says: "Without asserting that it is positively inert, it is concluded from these experiments that its action is so slight as to preclude the idea of its having any value either therapeutically or popularly; and it is the belief of the writer, from observation upon the effect on the pulse, etc., of tea, milk and water, and even plain water, hot, tepid, and cold, that such things may, at slightly different temperatures, produce a more decided effect than even large doses of coca, if taken at about the temperature of the body."

Conflicting and contradictory testimony from competent authority is not uncommon in therapeutics, and the reasons for it are well recognized in the impossibility of an equality in the conditions and circumstances of the investigations, and hence the general decision commonly reached is upon the principle of averages.

There can hardly be a reasonable doubt that coca, in common with tea and coffee and other similar articles, has a refreshing, recuperative, and sustaining effect upon human beings, and when well cultivated, well cured, and well preserved, so as to reach its uses of good quality and in good condition, it is at least equal to good tea, and available for important therapeutic uses. Mr. Dowdeswell supposed that he used good coca, but it is very easy to see that with any amount of care and pains he may have been mistaken in this. Had he but used the same parcel of coca that Sir Robert Christison did, the results of the two observers would be absolutely incomprehensible; and the results, in the absence of any testimony on that point, simply prove that the two observers were using a different article, though under the same name, and possibly with the same care in selection. On Sir Robert Christison's side of the question there are many competent observers whose testimony is spread over many years; while on Mr. Dowdeswell's side there are fewer observers. But there has been no observer on either side whose researches have been anything like so thorough, so extended, or so accurate as those of Mr. Dowdeswell. Indeed, no other account has been met with wherein the modern methods of precision have been applied to the question at all; the other testimony being all rather loose and indefinite, often at second or third hands, or from the narratives of more or less enthusiastic travelers. But if Mr. Dowdeswell's results be accepted as being conclusive, the annual consumption of 40,000,000 pounds of coca at a cost of 10,000,000 dollars promotes this substance to take rank among the large economic blunders of the age.[9]

[Footnote 9: An excellent summing up of the character and history of coca, from which some of the writer's information has been obtained, will be found in "Medicinal Plants," by Bentley and Trimen, vol. i., article 40.]

The testimony in regard to the effects of tea, coffee, Paraguay tea, Guarana and Kola nuts, is all of a similar character to that upon coca. Each of these substances seems to have come into use independently, in widely separated countries, to produce the same effects, namely, to refresh, renew, or sustain the physical and mental organism, and it was a curious surprise to find, after they had all been thus long used, that although each came from a different natural order of plants, the same active principle—namely, caffeine—could be extracted in different proportions from all. It is now still more curious, however, to find that for centuries another plant, namely coca, yielding a different principle, has been in use for similar purposes, the effects of which differ as little from those of tea, coffee, etc., as these do among themselves. Yet cocaine is chemically very different from caffeine, simply producing a similar physiological effect in much smaller doses. All these substances in their natural condition seem to be identical in their general physiological effect, but idiosyncrasy, or different individual impressibility or sensitiveness, causes a different action, as well in quality as in degree from the different substances, upon some persons.

In order to throw a little additional light on the comparative activity of the principal individuals of this group of substances, the following trials were made. It is generally admitted, and is probably true, that the same power in these agents which refreshes, recuperates, and sustains in the condition which needs or requires such effects also counteracts the tendency to sleep, or produces wakefulness when a tendency to sleep exists; and, therefore, if a tendency or disposition to sleep could be prevented by these agents, this tendency might be used as a measure of their effects when used in varying quantities, and thus measure the agents against each other for dose or quantitative effect. In this way the proposition is to first measure coca against tea, then coffee against guarana, and finally to compare the four agents, using pure caffeine as a kind of standard to measure by.

An opportunity for such trials occurred in a healthy individual sixty-five years old, not habituated to the use of either tea, coffee, tobacco, or any other narcotic substances, of good physical condition and regular habits, and not very susceptible or sensitive to the action of nervines or so-called anti-spasmodics. Quantities of preparations of valerian, asafoetida, compound spirit of ether, etc., which would yield a prompt effect upon many individuals seem to have little or no effect upon him, nor do moderate quantities of wines or spirits stimulate him. That is to say, he has not a very impressible nervous organization, is not imaginative, nor very liable to accept results on insufficient or partial evidence.

Fully occupied with work, both physical and mental in due proportion, for more than ten hours every secular day, when evening comes he finds himself unable to read long on account of a drowsiness supposed to be of a purely physiological character. With a full breakfast at about 7:30, a full dinner at about 2:30, and a light evening meal about 7, and no stimulants, or tea, or coffee at any time, he finds, as a matter of not invariable but general habit, that by half past 8 drowsiness becomes so dominant that it becomes almost impossible, and generally impracticable, to avoid falling asleep in his chair while attempting to read, even though ordinary conversation be carried on around him.

The first trial to combat or prevent this drowsiness was made with caffeine. The first specimen used was a very beautiful article made by Merck of Darmstadt, and after that by pure specimens made for the purpose, the two kinds being found identical in effect.

Commencing with a one grain dose at about 6:30 P.M., on alternate evenings, leaving the intermediate evenings in order to be sure that the nightly tendency still persisted, and increasing by half a grain each alternate evening, no very definite effect was perceived, until the dose reached 21/2 grains, and this dose simply rendered the tendency to sleep resistible by effort. After an interval of three evenings, with the tendency to sleep recurring with somewhat varying force each evening, a dose of 3 grains was taken, the maximum single dose of the German Pharmacopoeia. This gave a comfortable evening of restedness, without sleep or any very strong tendency to it until ten o'clock. Without anything to counteract sleep, the rule was to read with difficulty by nine, without much comprehension by quarter past nine, and either be asleep or go to bed by half past nine. The 3 grain dose of caffeine repeatedly obviated all this discomfort up to ten o'clock, but did not prevent the habitual, prompt, and sound sleep, from the time of going to bed till morning.

This was the model established, upon and by which to measure all the other agents, and they were never taken nearer than on alternate evenings, with occasional longer intervals, especially when the final doses of record were to be taken.

The next agent tried in precisely this same way was coca; and knowing that the quality of that which was attainable was very low, the commencing dose of the leaf in substance was 2 drachms, or about 8 grammes. This gave no very definite effect, but 21/2 drachms did give a definite effect, and a subsequent dose of 21/2 fluid drachms of a well made fluid extract of coca gave about the same effect as 21/2 grains of caffeine. Three fluid drachms of the fluid extract were about equivalent to 3 grains of caffeine.

Both the coca used and the fluid extract were then assayed by the modern methods, for the proportion of the alkaloid they contained.

The only assays of coca that could be found conveniently were those of Dr. Albert Niemann, of Goslar, given in the American Journal of Pharmacy, vol. xxxiii., p. 222, who obtained 0.25 per cent.; and of Prof. Jno. M. Maisch, in the same volume of the same journal, p. 496, who obtained 4 grains of alkaloid from 1,500 grains of coca, which is also about a quarter of one per cent. These assays were, however, very old, and made by the old process. The process used by the writer was the more modern one of Dragendorff slightly modified. It was as follows:

Thirty grammes of powdered coca, thoroughly mixed in a mortar with 8 grammes of caustic magnesia, were stirred into 200 c.c. of boiling water, and the mixture boiled for ten minutes. The liquid was filtered off, and the residue percolated with about 60 c.c. of water. It was then again stirred into 150 c.c. of boiling water, and was again boiled and percolated until apparently thoroughly exhausted. The total liquid, amounting to more than 600 c.c., was evaporated on a water-bath, commencing with the weaker portions, so that the stronger ones might be exposed to the heat for the shortest time, until reduced to about 20 c.c. This liquid extract was transferred to a flask, and vigorously shaken with 50 c.c. of strong ether. The ether was poured off, as closely as practicable, into a tared capsule, where it was allowed to evaporate spontaneously. A second and third portion of ether, each of 50 c.c., were used in the same way, and the whole evaporated to dryness in the capsule. A scanty, greenish, oily residue was left in the capsule, in which there was no appearance of a crystallized alkaloid. The capsule and contents were then weighed and the weight noted. The oily residue was then repeatedly washed with small quantities of water, until the washings no longer affected litmus-paper. The oily matter adhered to the capsule during this process, no part of it coming off with the washing, and at the end of the washing the capsule and contents were again dried and weighed, and the weight subtracted from the original weight. The difference was taken as the alkaloid cocaine, and it amounted to 0.077 grm., equal to 0.26 per cent.

Several preliminary assays were made in reaching this method. Some authorities recommend the very finely powdered mixture of coca and magnesia, or coca and lime, to be at once exhausted with ether. Others recommend that the mixture be made into a paste with water, and after drying on a water-bath that it be then exhausted with ether. This is better, but neither of these methods were satisfactory.

Finally, 30 c.c. of a well made fluid extract of the same coca was thoroughly mixed with 8 grms. of caustic magnesia in a capsule, and the mixture dried on a water-bath and powdered. This powder was then exhausted, one part by ether and the other part by chloroform, exactly as in the method given, both parts giving very slightly higher results. As a check upon the results, the solution of alkaloid washed out was titrated with normal solution of oxalic acid.

From all this it would appear that this inferior coca of the markets, or rather the best that can be selected from it, yields about the same proportion of the alkaloid as was obtained by Niemann and Maisch, but it has been shown that, by the older processes of assay used by them, much of the alkaloid was probably lost or destroyed, and that much better results are generally obtained by the modern process.

Now, since 3 drachms of this coca, or three fluid drachms of its fluid extract, gave the same physiological, or perhaps therapeutical, effect as 3 grains of caffeine, and as the 3 drachms contained about 0.45 grain of cocaine, it follows that cocaine is about 6.5 times more effective than caffeine; but it also follows that the coca accessible, and even the very best coca, contains very much less of its alkaloid than those articles which yield caffeine do of that principle.

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THE MELLOCO.

ULLUCUS TUBEROSA.—Early last year two tubers of this plant were received at Kew from Caracas, and from out of doors in a prepared bed in June. The result of this experiment, together with a few particulars as to the esculent properties of the tubers, may be worth recording, as I believe several gardeners, among them being the Messrs. Sutton, have obtained tubers of the Ullucus from Kew with a view to giving it a trial. The two Caracas tubers mentioned above were as large as hens' eggs, rather longer, and somewhat flattened; the skin was red, as in some potatoes. These, when placed in heat, rapidly developed shoots, which were removed as soon as they were strong enough to form cuttings; in this way about a hundred sturdy young plants were obtained and made ready for planting out of doors in June. They were planted in a light, sandy, well manured soil in a position exposed to full sunshine. Here they grew quickly, forming by the middle of August tufts of shoots and leaves one foot across. They were earthed up as for potatoes, and the strongest shoots were pegged down and partly covered with soil, though the latter proved unnecessary. At this time there were no tubers nor any signs of them. On again examining the plants in September (about the middle), we were surprised to find no tubers had yet been formed. The plants were now very strong, and it was therefore concluded that instead of forming tubers the strength of the plants had "run to leaves." We gave them up, no further notice being taken of them till the frost came, when on perceiving that a frost of four or five degrees did not injure the foliage, we again examined the plants, and found an abundant crop of tubers just below the surface of the soil, and varying in size from that of peas to pigeons' eggs. The plants were left till the haulms had been destroyed by cold, after which the tubers were gathered. On cooking some of the larger ones by boiling for half an hour, we found them still rather hard, and with a flavor of potatoes, almost concealed under a strong earthy taste, quite disagreeable and soap-like. Considering how short a time these tubers had had to grow in it is not improbable that their hardness and disagreeable taste were owing to their being unripe; no doubt young, green potatoes (these Ullucus tubers were partly green) would be quite as nauseous as these were.



We are told that the Ullucus is extensively cultivated in Peru and Bolivia, in the elevated regions where the common potato also thrives, and with which the Ullucus is equally popular as a tuber-yielding plant. In the Gardeners' Chronicle for 1848, p. 862, Mr. J.B. Pentland stated that the Ullucus "is planted in July or August, the seed employed being generally the smaller tubers, unfit for food, and is gathered in during the last week of April. These two periods of the year are the spring and autumn in the southern hemisphere. The mode of cultivation is in drills, into which the root is dropped, with a little manure. The climate, even during the summer season, is severe, scarcely a night passing over without the streams being frozen over, the sky being in general cloudless at all periods of the year except during the rainy season (December to March). Mean temperature about 49 deg.." This information seems to support the view formed of this plant from its behavior at Kew last year, namely, that the tubers are formed on the approach of cold weather, and that, so long as the weather is warm and bright, leaves only are developed. Plants grown in houses where the temperature has not been allowed to fall below 50 deg. in winter did not form any tubers, although they were in good health. We found no tubers on the plants grown out of doors till some time after the return of cold, wet weather. It seems likely that this plant does not develop tubers unless its existence is threatened by cold; at all events, such a conclusion seems reasonable from the above statements.

Possibly a wet and rather cold autumn would be favorable to this plant and the production of its tubers—such a season, for instance, as would be most unfavorable for the common potato. It would be worth while testing the Ullucus for low and cold situations where the potato would not thrive. There is not much probability of the former ever proving a substitute for or even a rival to the potato, at least in this country; but there is room for another good esculent, and the Ullucus is prolific enough, hardy enough, and, we suppose, when properly grown, palatable enough to be worthy a trial. In the Gardeners' Chronicle for 1848, p. 828, will be found a most interesting detailed account of experiments made with this plant in France by M. Louis Vilmorin.—W. Waston, Kew; The Gardeners' Chronicle.

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