204 COCA 



and the obstinate obstructions caused by these mealy aliments are ^ 

 obviated by the tonic effects of the coca, which thus removes the 1 

 cause of many maladies. It may be remarked, that a similar 

 reason is assigned for the custom of areka and betel chewing in 

 Southern Asia. As an instance of the wonderful strengthening 

 properties of the coca, Tschudi mentions the case of an Indian 

 called Hatun Huamang or the " Grreat Vulture," whom he em- 

 ployed during five consecutive days and nights in making the 

 most laborious excavations, and who never ate anything all the 

 time, or slept more than two hours a night. But every three 

 hours he chewed about half an ounce of the leaves, and con- 

 stantly kept his acuUico in his mouth. When the work was 

 finished, this Indian accompanied Tschudi during a ride of 

 twenty-three leagues, over the high mountain-plains, constantly 

 running alongside of the nimbly-pacing mule, and never resting 

 but for the purpose of preparing an acullico. When they sepa- 

 rated, the " Grreat Vulture " told Tschudi that he would wil- 

 lingly do the same work over again, provided only he had a 

 plentiful allowance of coca. He was sixty-two years old, accord- 

 ing to the testimony of the village priest, and had never been 

 ill all his life. 



Tschudi often found that coca is the best preservative against 

 the asthmatic symptoms which are produced by the rapid ascen- 

 sion of high mountains. While hunting in the Puna, at an eleva- 

 tion of 14,000 feet above the level of the sea, he always drank a 

 strong infusion of coca before starting, and wels then able to 

 climb among the rocks, and to pursue his game, without any 

 greater difficulty in breathing than would have been the case 

 upon the coast. Even after drinking a very strong infusion, he 

 never experienced any symptoms of cerebral excitement, but a 

 feeling of satiety, and though he took nothing else at the time, 

 his appetite returned only after a longer interval than usual. 



If the moderate use of coca is thus beneficial in many 

 respects, its abuse is attended with the same deplorable conse- 

 quences as those which are observed in the oriental opium-eaters 

 and smokers, or in our own incorrigible drunkards. 



The confirmed coca-chewer, or coquero,is known at once by his 

 uncertain step, his sallow complexion, his hollow, lack-lustre black- 

 rimmed eyes, deeply sunk in the head, his trembling lips, his inco- 

 herent speech, and his stolid apathy. His character is irresolute. 



