NOSE, PHARYNX, AND LARY.NX.—The application of cocaine (5 per cent. to 20 per cent.) in the mucous membrane of these parts is 'useful not only for thera peutic purposes and operations, but also for purposes of examination and diag nosis.
Before scarifications, etc., cocaine may be applied in a powder; cocaine hydro chloride, magnesium carbonate, 2i/2 drachms. A moist compress is laid out side, for ten minutes, which the patieni is instrucied to press lightly against the part. If the skin is intact, pure basic cocaine must be used instead. Unna (Jour. Amer. -Med. Assoc., Apr. 30, '98).
The following solution of cocaine is stable:— 3 Cocaine hydrochlorate, 4 grains. Distilled water, 21/2 drachms.
Salicylic acid, 1/0 grain.
Editorial (Jour. de 1116d. de Paris; Phila. Med. Jour., May 26, 1900).
The natural sensitiveness of the parts is obtunded by the anxsthesia induced; the shrinkage of the soft parts induced by the contraction of the blood-vessels makes more prominent the distinction between hypertrophy of the soft tissues and tumors of cartilaginous or bony character; again, by temporarily controll ing the hremorrhage (by contraction of the blood-vessels) and the shrinkage of the soft parts, the field of operation is made more clear and open. _Nasal and laryngeal polypi' are MOTO easily diag nosed and removed, and operations on the uvula, tonsils, epiglottis, and larynx are facilitated. The Eustachian catheter
is more easily introduced after the appli cation of a solution of cocaine to the nasal cavities and the naso-pharynx. In acute coryza or rhinitis the insuffla tion every two hours of a small portion of a powder consisting of cocaine muri ate, 1 part; bismuth subcarbonate, 5 parts; and talc, 15 parts, is useful. An other formula for thc same uses consists of cocaine and morphine, 1 part of each; bismuth, 5 parts; used as snuff like the preceding.
Cocaine carbolate has been recom mended in nasal catarrh and ozrena, either pure or 5- to 10-per-cent. solutions in alcohol or spirit of ether, or 1-per-cent. solution in diluted alcohol containing 70 per cent. of water on cotton or by instil lation, or 5- to 10-per-cent. triturations with acetanilid or boric acid for insuffla tion.
Cocaine solution is also used to anws thetize ulcers or hypertrophies previous to the application of acids or instru ments. Liquid applications may be made by means of cotton pledgets dipped in the cocaine solution by the spray of an atomizer; in powder by insufilation as above.