Medicinal use clarification--an official from Mallinckrodt who "asked not to be named" had this to say: "We purchase a crude extract and purify it further into

Medicinal use clarification--an official from Mallinckrodt who "asked not to be named" had this to say: "We purchase a crude extract and purify it further into one chemical form, cocaine hydrochloride U.S.P." http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/01/business/how-coca-cola-obtains-its-coca.html http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/01/business/how-coca-cola-obt... I looked that up because I don't work in health care: "Cocaine Hydrochloride is used topically to produce local anesthesia of accessible mucous membranes of oral, laryngeal, and nasal cavities. It is often used for emergency room sutures and outpatient nasal and facial surgery. Because Cocaine Hydrochloride is readily absorbed from mucous membranes and can cause severe adverse effects, the drug should be used with caution, and careful attention should be given to dosage and administration technique. Repeated topical application of cocaine can result in psychic dependence and tolerance." http://mallinckrodt.com/uploadedFiles/Content/Specialty_Pharmaceuticals/Active_Pharmaceutical_Ingredients/Products/Controlled_Substances/1520.pdf http://mallinckrodt.com/uploadedFiles/Content/Specialty_Phar...