The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-06-11
Coca-What is Cocaines

The discovery that cocaine will
produce local anesthesia, or insen-
sibility to pain, is next in import
ance to the discovery of the
properties of ether. Cocaine has
of late been used in important op-
erations upon the eye; this, and es
pecially it's recent employment to
allay the pain in the terrible dis
ease under which the illustrious
patient, General Grant, has suffered
so long, have given it unusual
prominence. To meet the popular
desire TO know something Of this
agent, we give an account of the
plant from which the cocaine is de
rived. The earliest European trav-
ellers in Peru mention the use, by
the natives, of a leaf, which they
chewed to produce stimulating
effect, similar to that Of opium.
The leaves, which are known as CO.
Goa, are from a shrub which bears
the same native name, and is cult
waited in HuanucO, and other noun
famous provinces in the Peruvian
Andes, which have an altitude of
two to five thousand feet above the
sea. The scrub reaches the height
of six feet, and has very thick,
evergreen leaves. The name of the
genus is Erythroxylon, which
means red wood, several of the
species, natl. .es of tropical coun-
tries, having wood of red color.
The specific name of the Peruvian
species is that given TO it by the
natives, hence its scientific name is
EXthroxylon coca. In its relation
ship the Sshrub is nearest to the
flax and the geranium families.
The shrub is cultivated in a rude
manner by the natives, who raise
the young plants from the seeds, to
form plantations known as cocals.
In from three to five years from
planting the shrubs afford a gath
ering of leaves, and after that n
picking is made annually. The
leaves are mature when they break
on being bent. They are dried on
platforms, or on a portion Of the
ground made smooth by stamping.
The leaves when dry are packed in
bales of about eighty pounds,
which are covered by a coarse cloth
homemade. In this form it is an
article of domestic traffic in Peru,
recently it has been sent to this
country and to Europe in consider
able quantities. The wholesale
value of the leaves is from one dol
lar to one dollar and half per
pound. In Peru, the use OF coca is
very general, especially among the
natives. The leaves, mixed with
lime, are chewed and the saliva
swallowed, the individual remain
ing quiet the while. AS the enjoy
ment Of the coca occurs four times
each day, and each time requires at
least a half an hour, it causes no
little interruption to work and to
travel. The effects Of coca are said
to be most pleasurably Intoxicating,
and those who become addicted toits
use rarely abandon it. 1t is claim
ed by the use of coca the Peruyi-
ans can perform great amount Of
labor in the mines, and as porters
in carrying loads, upon very little
food. The active principle, cocaine
(nOt "cocoaine," as sometimes in
correctly written), has been separa-
ted. The process is expensive
and the product small, hence the
price has been very high, the salts
of cocaine having sold at over one
dollar a grain. In view of the prob
able increased demand for Coca, it
would be proper for our department
Of agriculture to consider the posi-
bility of successfully cultivating
the scrub within our .own territory.
American Agriculturist.