Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-05-17
THE COCA PLANT.
Something About the Wonderful
Medical Qualities OF It's Leaves.

Something About the Wonderful
Medical Qualities OF It's Leaves.
The new issue of the Kew Bulletin
contains long article on coca, u plant
which has received much attention in
recent years on account of the valuable
anathetic properties ascribed to CO.
caine, one of its alkaloids, while coca
wine and other preparations from its
leaves are also largely in use. As far
bIck as 1880 it was described by "a
Spanish botanist, whose work found its
way into English under the title: joy
full newes out Of the newe founde
worlde, wherein is declared the virtues
OF hearbes, trees, oyles, plantcs and
stemes.' The uses TO which coca Is
put by the South American Indians are
referred TO by the author. When tray
cling, they chew paste made OF the
leaves alone, and this, he says, re-
moves both hunger and thirst, land
they say that they receive sustenance
thereby, as though they did cate
meate."
y. was supposed until quite recently
of stimulant TO the nervous system,
employed by the inhabitants OF Peru
and Bolivia as betel and opium are
used in the east The fact appears to
be established that its use by the in
habitants OF the Andean region enabled
them TO accomplish severe labor such
rs no European could perform. Tray
elers and scientific observers agree in
ascribing TO it marvellous sustaining
power; it assists respiration and Ell
ables one 10 ascend the highest mount
aims without fatigue. but if used in eX-
cess it produces highly injurious eff
fectS. It's true home in South America
has never been clearly defined, but at
present il is largely cultivated in the
Andes of the Argentine Republic, Boz
livia, Peru, Ecuador and New Ora lada.
The largest plantations are at La PaZ,
in Bolivia; the to.al production is esti-
mated at 100000 pounds, valued at
about G2,OJO, 0JO. Almost the whole
Of the produce is consumed i'm South
America. it succeeds best in the mild
but very moist climate Of the lower
mount ins, an elevation between 1000
feet and 5000 feet above the level OF
the sea, and the care and cultivation
necessary are those suitable for the
growth of tea and coffee. 1t is a leaf
crop, and in favorable localities two or
three crops may be gathered in the
year; but, differing from tea, the
largest and most maturcd leaves are
sought, Is they contain most OF the
allaoids which render them a market
able product. The leaves, when un-
broken, are OF a fine green color, aud
possess a delicate, agreeable and some-
what aromatic odOr. which has been
compared TO the combined odor OF hay
and chocolate. Since the discovery Of
its anHsthetic properties the demand
for export in South America has i'll
creased: but it has been noticed that
during transit TO this country there is
a distinct loss in the a 1aloids general
ly, as well as in cocaine, and conse-
quently it has become the practice 30
extract the alkaloids from the leaves
in South America and export a crude
preparation, which is largely taken up
by manufacturers of cocaine The
production in South America is 20
enormous that, without further extern
sion OF the cultivation, one-eightieth
part Of it would be sufficient to swamp
the cocaine markets Of the world. -
London Times.