Comparative data concerning the effects of topical anesthetics in man are not available. A technique with the use of electrical stimulation which permitted such a study was developed by the authors. The tip of the tongue is the most sensitive area in the body to this type of stimulation. Over 40 drugs with topical activity were studied with the tip of the tongue as the test site. The most potent and effective compounds are tetracaine, cocaine, dibucaine, lidocaine, and dyclonine. With the exception of dyclonine, these are toxic systemically if used in excess. The addition of vasoconstrictors, detergents, demulcents, cations, hyaluronidase, and other often suggested potentiating agents, does extend the period of activity.
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Adriani et al. (1964) studied this question.