100 PHARMACOPEIAL DRUGS 



toward men who know that which they know by reason 

 of personal experience, and the art of empirical obser- 

 vation. Perhaps in no other instance has the al- 

 most hopeless cry for recognition of the facts developed 

 by empiricism been more prominently illustrated, than 

 by the story of this drug. One of the greatest blessings 

 to humanity when properly used, and one of its greatest 

 curses when used indiscreetly, coca was for nearly three 

 centuries neglected by men of science, and subjugated 

 by professional prejudices. At last the eminent bota- 

 nist and pharmacologist, Henry H. Rusby, M. D., 

 (564), was led to undertake a journey to South America 

 in behalf of science. In that journey the study of coca 

 was a dominant factor, and for founding that enter- 

 prise the pharmaceutical house of Parke, Davis & Com- 

 pany, of Detroit, deserves great credit. The result of 

 Dr. Rusby's study is presented in the Therapeutic Ga- 

 zette, (634), 1886 and 1888, in an exceptionally valuable 

 treatise that is today not less important than when 

 contributed by Dr. Rusby. 1 



Needless is it to do more t?han refer to the marvelous 

 reaction that followed Koller's discovery of the power 

 of cocaine as a local anesthetic. A library would be re- 

 quired to hold the works eulogistically devoted to the 

 new discovery. A volume would be required merely 

 to print the names of the enthusiastic writers on 

 coca, formerly so discredited. 



In closing this subject to which, by reason of its im- 

 portance, we have given so much space, let us do tardy 

 justice to the prophetic words of the poet, who so often 

 foresees that which others either neglect altogether, cr 



1 It pleases us much to be able to add that since the above was written, the H. K. 

 Mulford Company, Philadelphia, has arranged for Dr. Rusby to make another explora- 

 tion trip to South America under their auspices. Details are not as yet available to us. 



