My attention was called to this many years ago, very shortly after the introduction of cocain as a local anesthetic. 1905, Dental Society of the State of New York, Transactions of the Dental Society of the State of New York, volumes 37-40, page 106:
But in those cases in which the application of cocain would relieve the symptoms, we are sure to get good results[…] 1822, American Medical Association, Transactions of the Section on Laryngology, Otology and Rhinology, page 182:
After opening the bladder (incision extending 1 inch pubically from peritoneal fold) the prostate was injected deeply with 1 per cent. cocain while the pericapsular region was injected with the 1 : 400 novocain solution. 1914, Transactions of the Section on Genito-Urinary Diseases of the American Medical Association, page 80: