304 Dr Tschudi on Coca, 



among the refined class of Peruvians the chacchar is looked 

 upon as a low and vulgar practice, befitting only the la- 

 bouring Indians. Yet Europeans occasionally allow them- 

 selves to fall into this habit ; and I knew two in Lima, the 

 one an Italian, and the other a Biscayan, who were confirmed 

 coqueros in the strictest sense of the word. In Cerro de 

 Pasco there are societies, having even Englishmen for their 

 members, which meet on certain evenings for the chacchar. 

 In these places, instead of lime or ashes, sugar is served 

 along with the coca leaves. A member of one of these 

 clubs informed me that on the few first trials the sugar was 

 found very agreeable, but that afterwards the palate required 

 some more pungent ingredient. 



The operation of the coca is similar to that of narcotics ad- 

 ministered in small doses. Its effects may be compared to those 

 produced by the thornapple, rather than to those arising from 

 opium. We shall afterwards notice the consequences result- 

 ing from drinking the decoction of the datura. In the invete- 

 rate coquero similar symptoms are observable, but in a miti- 

 gated degree. I may mention one circumstance attending 

 the use of coca, which appears hitherto to have escaped notice 

 — it is, that, after the mastication of a great quantity of coca, 

 the eye seems unable to bear light, and there is a marked dis- 

 tension of the pupil. I have also observed this peculiarity of 

 the eye in one who had drunk a strong extract of the infusion 

 of coca leaves. In the effects consequent on the use of 

 opium and coca there is this distinction, that coca, when taken 

 even in the utmost excess, never causes a total alienation of 

 the mental powers, or induces sleep ; but, like opium, it excites 

 the sensibility of the brain, and the repeated excitement occa- 

 sioned by its intemperate use after a series of years, wears out 

 mental vigour and activity. 



It is a well-known fact, confirmed by long observation and 

 experience, that the Indians who regularly masticate coca, re- 

 quire but little food, and, nevertheless, go through excessive 

 labour with apparent ease. They therefore ascribe the most 

 extraordinary qualities to the coca, and even believe that it 

 might be made entirely a substsHute for 'food. Setting aside 



