308 Dr Tschudi on Coca. 



ders of coca. The consequence was, that, in defiance of 

 royal and ecclesiastical ordinances, its use increased rather 

 than diminished. One of the warmest advocates of the plant 

 was the Jesuit, Don Antonio Julian, who, in a work enti- 

 tled Perla de America, laments that coca is not introduced 

 into Europe instead of tea and coffee. " It is," he observes, 

 *' melancholy to reflect that the poor of Europe cannot obtain 

 this preservative against hunger and thirst; that our working 

 people are not supported by this strengthening plant in their 

 long-continued labours."* In the year 1793, Dr Don Pedro 

 Nolasco Crespo pointed out, in a treatise, the important ad- 

 vantages that would be derived from the use of the coca 

 plant, if introduced into the European navies ; and he expresses 

 a wish that experiments of its utility in that way would be 

 tried. Though it is not probable that Dr Crespo's wish will 

 ever be realised, yet there is little doubt that the use of coca, 

 as a beverage on board ship, would be attended with very 

 beneficial results. It would afford a nutritious refreshment ta 

 seamen in the exercise of their laborious duties, and would 

 greatly assist in counteracting the unwholesome effects of salt 

 provisions. As a stimulant, it would be far less injurious than 

 ardent spirits, for which it might be substituted without fear 

 of any of the evil consequences experienced by the coqueros. 

 After a long and attentive observation of the effects of coca, 

 I am fully convinced that its use, in moderation, is no way 

 detrimental to health; and that, without it, the Peruvian Indian, 

 with his spare diet, would be incapable of going through the 

 labour which he now performs. The coca plant must be con- 

 sidered as a great blessing to Peru. It is an essential means 

 of preserving the nationality of the Indians, and in some mea- 

 sure mitigating the melancholy fate of the once great race, 

 which disease and excessive labour now threaten to destroy. 

 In former times, the cultivation of coca in the Montana de 



* The worthy Padre forgets the high price that would be charged for coca in 

 Europe. In Turma and Huanuco, the aroba (twenty-five pounds) costs, at an 

 iverage, six Spanish dollars ; add to this the carriage to Lima, the freight to 

 Europe, custom-hcuse duties, &c., and this price would be nearly doubled. 



