COCA 91 



Numberless are the publications now bearing on the 

 chemistry of the alkaloids of coca. Among them, from 

 one by the chairman of our committee, a brief abstract 

 is as follows: 



"In 1893, Dr. A. R. L. Dohme contributed to the 

 Proceedings American Pharmaceutical Association, pp. 

 159-165, a paper touching briefly the history of 

 coca, but more particularly the assay of Huanuco 

 leaves (Erythroxylon Bolivianum) and Truxillo leaves 

 (Erythroxylon Spruceanum), Dr. Burck being author- 

 ity for names. His excellent micro-sections of the 

 leaves illustrate graphically the distinctions, summed 

 up as follows: 'The distinctive differences to be 

 noted are the apex of the midrib in the case of the 

 Huanuco leaves and its absence in the case of the 

 Truxillo leaves.' 



"In 1895 (ibid) Dr. Dohme continued the subject 

 (pp. 268-9), demonstrating how alkaloidal values of the 

 same drug varied under different assay processes. This 

 phase is of great interest, but lies in the field of alka- 

 loidal history, rather than that of the crude drug." 1 



Notwithstanding the evidence of the energy of coca 

 on the South American Indians, and the identification, 

 half a century ago, of its now well-known alkaloid, co- 

 caine, coca was long thereafter considered as physiolog- 

 ically inert, or as simply a mild stimulant, like tea. Its 

 alleged properties were deemed legendary and imag- 

 inary, and its alkaloid was regarded as similar to caf- 

 feine, both in constitution and qualities, until Koller, 



1 The researches of Dr. Dohme, as well as those of Dr. Eberhard (see Ipecac, Rham- 

 nus Purshiana, and other citations in this volume), were contributions to science, under 

 the opportunities afforded by the Laboratory of the firm of manufacturing pharmaciste, 

 Sharp & Dohme, Baltimore, Md. This long established firm has, since its foundation, in 

 the early part of the last century, been exceptionally instrumental in the advancing of 

 scientific pharmacy. No better or more enthusiastic friends to American pharmacy has 

 this writer known than the founders of Sharp & Dohme, Mr. Louis Dohme, the uncle, and 

 Mr. Charles Dohme, the father of Dr. A. R. L. Dohme, Chairman of our Committee. 



