COFFEE AND CAFFEINE. — The seeds or berries of Caffea Arabica, so extensively employed for the prepara tion of the beverage, are not officially recognized except as the main source of caffeine. A fluid extract of the green berry was formerly employed as a stimu lant, however, and the infusion is now considerably used for the same purpose in the treatment of shock, poisoning, etc. , Before it is roasted coffee contains caf feine, caffeotannic acid, and—accord ing to Palladine—an alkaloid: caffea rine. During the roasting process, how ever, a volatile oil is developed, which, with the other substances, termed, col- , lectively, "caffeone," give the coffee its agreeable aroma.
Administration and Dose.—The infu sion affects its users in difTerent ways, some tolerating large quantities, others feeling the influence of one-half cupful. There is, therefore, no special dose to be recommended.
The fluid extract of green coffee may be given in doses varying from 1 to 2 drachms.
Physiological Action. — Marshall and IIare have studied the action of the em pyreumatic oil of coffee. The percentage of oil obtained from an average browned coffee is 11.6 per cent.; in consequence, an ordinary breakfastcup of coffee con tains about 45 minims of the oil, pro vided all the oil in the coffee used is extracted. In their opinion, the oil pos sesses none of the powers of a toxic char acter heretofore supposed. The pure oil increases the pulse-rate by direct car diac stimulation in small doses, and low ers pulse-rate in large doses by a direct depressant effect on this viscus. On the highly-developed spinal cord of the frog it causes increased reflex activity; but, on the mammal with a well-developed brain, drowsiness and sleep.
The virtues of coffee, in the wear and tear of active life, are entirely subjective, and depend upon a general excitation of the higher centres, and chiefly upon its powerful exhilarant action upon the men tal processes. It must be said, however, that the assumed ability of coffee to re place food, or to increase the power for work without corresponding tissue-de struction, is deceptive. While a moder
ate consumer of coffee may be assisted by the stimulating action of the beverage, an intemperate consumer may be capa ble of performing prodigious feats of strength and endurance, but, neverthe less, at the direct expense of his tissues.
Prosorowsky studied the influence of coffee and some of its substitutes upon pathogenic micro-organisms, and con cluded that coffee possessed incontest able antiseptic properties; in this respect it is superior to both its substitutes, rye and acorn coffee, the acorn being the morc active of the t»-o latter. The anti septic action is due to the empyreumatic substances formed during roasting, and also partly to caffeotannic acids, the pres ence of which is alone capable of explain ing the antiseptic action sometimes shown by infusions of raw ground coffee. A cup of coffee left in a room remains free from bacteria for over a week.
Poisoning by Coffee.—Rugh witnessed a case in which profound toxic effects from the drinking of large quantities of strong coffee were observed, a number of symptoms being those of beginning mania a potu. The patient's pulse was 96 and full, but weak; his respirations shallow and numbering 24 to the minute. The pupils were normal, the tongue slightly coated, the bowels regular; the skin moist, but not flushed; his expres sion was agitated with the fear of some impending- danger. His muscles were in such a state of tension that, upon the slightest movement of arms or legs, clonic spasms occurred, though none was pres ent when he lay perfectly relaxed, which, however, his exceedingly-nervous condi tion would not allow him to do. If he tried to sleep, he would be seized with hallucinations just before losing con sciousness, imagining that disasters were about to overtake him and seeing all kinds and shapes of images and objects. Then lie would start up with fright and find himself in the greatest nervous ex citement. -When he stood up, he could close his eyes or look at the ceiling without wavering. His knee-jerks were slightly exaggerated, but sensation was perfect.