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310 DENTAL MEDICINE.
CAFFEINE—CAFFEINA.
Derivation.—Caffeine is a proximate principle of feebly alkaloid
power, generally prepared from the dried leaves of Camellia
Thea, or from the dried seeds of Caffea Arabica. Caffeine was
first extracted from coffee. One cup of good, well-made coffee
contains one-half to one drachm of the empyreumatic oil, which
has no physiological effects. It is in the form of colorless, silky,
inodorless crystals, sparing soluble in alcohol, and in parts of
75
cold water, but much more soluble in 9.5 parts of boiling water.
Medical Properties and Physiological Jetion.—It is a rapidly act-
ing stimulant on the nervous system, its chief influence being on
the brain and spinal column. By stimulating the muscles of the
heart, it is supposed to increase the pulse rate and blood-pressure.
It has a decided diuretic action, and counteracts the effects of
narcotic remedies—it is valuable in opium poisoning, but is not
a complete antidote. When taken into the stomach, it diffuses
readily into the blood, and is eliminated principally by the kid-
neys and liver. Small doses increase the appetite, increasing
peristalsis, and in some cases causing venous conjestion and
hemorrhoids. It also acts as a powerful stimulant to the respira-
tory centre.
Therapeutic Uses.— Caffeine'is employed in neuralgia, migraine,
hemicrania, dropsy, cholera infantum, asthma, cardiac disease,
being a valuable cardiac stimulant. It often, however, produces
insomnia to such a degree in cardiac disease, that its use has to be
discontinued; if not, delirium, like that of alcohol, may ensue.
The habitual use of coffee in some cases may also cause insom-
nia, palpitation, tremors, tinnitus aurium, gastralgia and emacia-
tion. Caffeina alone cannot be used hypodermically owing to its
decomposition in the presence of water.
Dose.—Of Caffeine, gr. ij to gr. v : of Citrate of Caffeine gr.
ij to gr. V.
Dental Uses.—Caffeine is useful in facial neuralgia, migraine,
hemicrania. For headache from nervous strain, caffeine com-
bined with antipyrin and one of the bromides is a useful and
efficient remedy.
310 DENTAL MEDICINE.
CAFFEINE—CAFFEINA.
Derivation.—Caffeine is a proximate principle of feebly alkaloid
power, generally prepared from the dried leaves of Camellia
Thea, or from the dried seeds of Caffea Arabica. Caffeine was
first extracted from coffee. One cup of good, well-made coffee
contains one-half to one drachm of the empyreumatic oil, which
has no physiological effects. It is in the form of colorless, silky,
inodorless crystals, sparing soluble in alcohol, and in parts of
75
cold water, but much more soluble in 9.5 parts of boiling water.
Medical Properties and Physiological Jetion.—It is a rapidly act-
ing stimulant on the nervous system, its chief influence being on
the brain and spinal column. By stimulating the muscles of the
heart, it is supposed to increase the pulse rate and blood-pressure.
It has a decided diuretic action, and counteracts the effects of
narcotic remedies—it is valuable in opium poisoning, but is not
a complete antidote. When taken into the stomach, it diffuses
readily into the blood, and is eliminated principally by the kid-
neys and liver. Small doses increase the appetite, increasing
peristalsis, and in some cases causing venous conjestion and
hemorrhoids. It also acts as a powerful stimulant to the respira-
tory centre.
Therapeutic Uses.— Caffeine'is employed in neuralgia, migraine,
hemicrania, dropsy, cholera infantum, asthma, cardiac disease,
being a valuable cardiac stimulant. It often, however, produces
insomnia to such a degree in cardiac disease, that its use has to be
discontinued; if not, delirium, like that of alcohol, may ensue.
The habitual use of coffee in some cases may also cause insom-
nia, palpitation, tremors, tinnitus aurium, gastralgia and emacia-
tion. Caffeina alone cannot be used hypodermically owing to its
decomposition in the presence of water.
Dose.—Of Caffeine, gr. ij to gr. v : of Citrate of Caffeine gr.
ij to gr. V.
Dental Uses.—Caffeine is useful in facial neuralgia, migraine,
hemicrania. For headache from nervous strain, caffeine com-
bined with antipyrin and one of the bromides is a useful and
efficient remedy.
