The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-22
Cocaine, the s'Fiends" Who
Use It and What They Suffer

all manner of cures and treatment; but
after each he would go back to the
drug with greater avidity than ever.
LAS far as l know there is no par
ticular class of people addicted to it's
use any more than another; but there
is race which seems to be peCtefiarfS
subject to it's influence This is the COL
ored race. | unheSitatingly state that
fully four fffths Of our. trade is Of that
class. Once they contract the habit
they cannot do without it, and Strang-
est Of all it seems to take away all de-
mand of the system for food. 1t appears
as though the drug supplies the system
With an element, temporarily, Of course,
Which takes the place of solid mat
ter"
The inveterate user of cocaine can
be recognized by his uncertain step,
general apathy, sunken eyes, surround
ed by deep purple aureoles, trembling
lips, green and crusted teeth. an ex-
cessively fetid breath, with peculiar
blackness about the corners of the
mouth. An incurable insomnia is apt to
be developed, emaciation becomes ex-
IRENE, then dropSy appears and death
results.
History of the Drug.
The history of this drug, which has
caused SO much discussion in medical
and police circles throughout the coun-
try, is an interesting one. According to
medical researches, there are two dis
tlnct varieties or species of ErythroX-
ylon Coca, as it is termed-the Bolivian
and Peruvian. The Bolivian drug is
more highly esteemed in Peru The coca
which grows wild in various parts of
South America is cultivated, not only
in It's native country, but also in Brit
ish India, CeylOn and Java. The coca
cSt11a 10c Of T0II
the offspring of plants originally sent
out from Kew Garden. The commercial
leaves are the Peruvian and Bolivian.
The coca plant, which is prOpagated
from seeds in nurseries, begins to yield
in eighteen months, and continues pro-
ductive for half century. The leaves,
when mature, are carefully picked by
hand, so as to avoid breaking, slowly
dried in the sun, and packed in bags
holding from % to 125 pounds. 1t is af-
f1rmed that $10,000,000 worth, or 10000
600 pounds, are annually produced.
Now Natives Use II.
In size and shape the leaves resem--
bic those of tea, oVal-oblong, pointed,
and two inches in length. They have
an agreeable odor, resembling that of
tea, and a peculiar taste, which, in
decoction, becomes bitter and astrin-
gent. When chewed, they temporarily
benumb the tongue.
AS a nerve stimulant, coca has been
used immemorially by the Peruvian
and Bolivian natives. 1t produces a
gently excitant effect, with an indis-
position to sleep, in these respects re-
sembIing tea and coffee; also, it will
sustain strength for a considerable
time in the absence of food, but does
not supply the place of nutriment.
The Indians chewing it mix it with
some alkaline substance, and pass
whole days in travelling or working,
without food. 1t is possible that the
sense of hunger is prevented, owing to
the stomach becoming benumbed by
the use of the leaves.
When coca is taken in a single large
dose, it produces condition of peculiar
physical beautitude and calm, follow
ed by a sensation of excessive power,
which is affirmed to be accompanied
by real increase of physical ability.
These symptoms, however, have beer