16 
itBW I*ifcEt»ARATiOi^S. 
case. The price of CPCjI ftt La P & i ., Where the best is procured, was last year sixteen dollars per 
acket of twenty-five ipounds.-^Popular Scienee Meview. 
M. Colpaert, in a paper on the subject {Bull. Sod. de Acck), says tbat often when passing the 
grand chain of the Andes he has chewed coca to combat the cold, and always with the best effect. 
The leaves have a bitter taste, but do not burn the tongue, as is alleged Those who use it con¬ 
tinually, and with “ llipta,” have an insupportable smell. The first time he tasted it he felt, 
after a few minutes, slight shiverings of fever; the blood mounted to his head and pressed 
forcibly on the temples. He felt this for about ten minutes, after which a complete reaction 
took place, and he experienced from head to foot a pleasant and agreeable, heat. Arrived in the 
morning at his resting-place, he took coca in the shape of tea before going to sleep, only throw¬ 
ing away the first steeping and drinking the second water of infusion. Notwithstanding the 
snow and the intensity of the cold, he experienced a pleasant heat, perspiring so freely as to 
wet the mattress. 
The Indians attribute to coca many virtues, and employ it in different forms. It is for them 
an indispensable and favorite sustenance, for the deprivation of every other substance is less 
felt than that of his favorite coca. 
Every traveller passing through the country should lay in a stock, for it is the best medium 
of currency, and that most appreciated among the Indians. Often in the mountains not a thing 
could be obtained with dollars or coin of any kind, but a handful of coca will act on the Indians 
like a talisman, and for it he will place his hut and all it contains at your disposal. They also 
use coca leaves for every external malady, whether it be a cut in the hand, to stop hemorrhage, 
to heal ulcers and boils, or for neuralgia and headache. In the latter case, a moistened piece 
of coca is applied to each temple, and whether it be superstition or reality, an immediate relief 
is said to be obtained. The following narration of the virtues attributed to coca by the Indians 
was told M. Colpaert by actual witnesses of the proceedings : 
In one of his latter journeys to Vilcabamba, one of the richest mineral districts of Peru, he 
arrived in the town at the moment when they were carrying out of his home one of the miners 
who for many years had been afflicted with a dreadful malady, which defied all the efforts of 
medical skill to cure. His body was covered with external ulcers, and the unfortunate had been 
given over as incurable, and suffering martyrdom, implored to be put to death. An old Indian, 
who had formerly worked under his orders, demanded permission to untertake his cure, which 
was granted. The patient was laid on the floor of the room, stripped, and half a dozen Indians 
commenced chewing coca and llipta, singing and dancing around him with strong cabalistic 
actions. After about a quarter of an hour, when the leaves had been sufficiently masticated and 
impregnated with saliva, induced by the abundant foam, they again commenced dancing around 
and spitting on the body of the unfortunate. This lasted for about half an hour, when each In¬ 
dian placed his quid of chewed coca on the ulcers of the patient,, who was then enveloped in 
cloths and left to repose. The same scene was renewed eeery two days, and at the end of the 
month the patient, who was named Honzales, was thoroughly cured. This treatment took place 
in 1850, and he was living eleven years after, when M. Colpaert wrote his narrative. 
Prom experiments, made repeatedly on himself, and on other individuals, Dr. Mantegazza 
draws the following conclusions : 
1, The leaves of the coca, chewed or taken in a weak infusion, have a stimulating effect 
upon the nerves of the stomach, and thereby facilitate digestion very much. 3. In a large dose 
coca increases the animal heat and augments the frequency of the pulse, and consequently of 
respiration. 3. In a medium dose, three to four drachms, it excites the nervous system in such 
a manner, that the movements of the muscles are made with greater ease—then it produces a 
calming effect. 4. Used in a large dose it causes delirium, halluciations, and finally concestion 
of the brain. 
The most prominent property of coca, which is hardly to be found in any other remedy, 
consists in the exalting effect it produces, calling out the power of the organism without leaving 
afterwards any sign of debility. The coca is in this respect one of the most powerful nervines 
and analeptics, These experiments, as well as the circumstance that the natives have used the 
coca, from the earliest period as a remedy in dyspepsia, flatulency and colic, have induced Dr. 
Mantegazza, and several of his colleagues in South America and Europe, to employ the leaves of 
the coca in a variety of cases, partly as masticatory, partly in powder, as infusion, as alcoholico- 
aqueous extract in the dose of ten to fifteen grains in pills, and as a Clyster. Dr. Mantegazza 
has used coca with most excellent results in dyspepsia, gastralgia, and entralgia ; he employed 
it not less frequently in cases great of debility following typhus fever, scurvy, anaemic conditions, 
etc., and in hysteria and hypochondriasis, even if the latter had increased to weariness of lifel 
The coca might also be employed with great benefit in mental diseases where some physicians 
prescribe opium. Of its sedative effect in spinal irritation, idiopathic convulsions, nervous ere¬ 
thism, the author has fully convinced himself. He proposes its use in the highest dose in cases 
of hydrophobia and tetanus. It is a popular opinion that coca is a reliable aphrodisiac ; the au¬ 
thor has, however, observed only two cases in which a decided influence upon the sexual system 
was perceived. 
Dr. Mantegazza, finally, recommends this remarkable plant, which could be easily intro¬ 
duced into trade, to the profession for further physiological and therapeutical experiments, and 
adds the full history of eighteen cases by which the medicinal virtues of the remedy are proved 
to satisfaction.— London Pharm. Journal^ from OeaterreicMsche ZeitscJirift fur praktische Heil- 
kunde. 
George ENOEuiviAwiM 
