295 / 374
DRINKS.
29s
It
contains
a
crystalline
bitter
principle
which
can
be
separated
from
it
by
alcohol.
Like
Theine^
it
is
an
alkaloid,
and
is
called
Cocaine
;
but
it
is
not
harmless,
as,
in
many
particulars,
and
in
its
physiological
action
upon
the
system,
it
resembles
Atropine^
the
alkaloid
of
the
deadly
nightshade.
It
also
has
a
tannic
acid,
which
gives
a
deep
brownish
green
colour
to
the
per
salts
of
iron.
So
we
see
in
its
constituents
it
closely
resembles
the
Thea
Sinensis^
only
it
is
more
powerful
in
its
effects
on
the
human
frame,
and,
consequently,
ought
not
to
be
taken
in
the
same
quantity
as
we
now
take
tea,
but
it
is
invaluable
in
preventing,
or
greatly
diminishing,
the
ordinary
and
natural
waste
which
usually
accompanies
bodily
exer-
tion.
J.
A.