East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-11-23

Philadelphia.-The growth OF the
abuse Of cocaine here as well as else
where has stirred many prominent
physicians to emphatic expressions on
the subject. DR.. Henry Beates, jr., OF
the state board Of medical examiners,
declares that the evil is exceedingly
dangerous, and that the time has
come when strenuous measures should
be taken to check it.
A new phase Of the matter, of most
serious import, is the fact that substi-
tutes for cocaine are now being sold
by some druggists TO cocaine fiends
possessing virtually the same quail
ties as the drug itself. and, conse-
Quently equally pernicious when abus-
ed.
A widely advertised compounded
wine, for which tonic qualities are
claimed, and a beverage which is sold
over soda fountain counters as an
innocent stimulant and nerve tonic
are said to contain one of these sub
stitutes.
The substitutes for cocaine are
made by what is known as a synthetic
pIocess-in other words, by combina-
ton Cocaine itself as a laboratory
product bears the complex and sug-
gestive name of menthylbenzolzonine.
Some Of the substitutes are scientifi-
cally known by even longer designa-
tions
Sordid Desire of Gain.
The sordid desire of gain has led
TO the placing Of these on sale in va
rious forms which do not fall under
the prohibitive provisions of the an
ti-cocaine act. One OF the leading
analytical chemists said yesterday
that It would be neither wise nor hu-
name to publish a list of the substan-
ces that possesses the qualities OF CO.
caine, as this would be catering to the
vice Of those who are suffering from
the cocaine habit. 1t is probable that
an effort will be made to induce the
next legislature to prohibit also the
sale of these drugs without the pre-
scription OF a physician.
The discovery of the stimulating
action of cocaine is due to the prac-
tice OF the natives of Peru and other
South American countries OF eating
the leaves of a certain shrub when
obliged to go without food for long
time or to sustain unusual fatigue,
The effect is TO stimulate the nerves
and to postpone hunger. The active
principle of cocaine, in the form Of
CRYSTALS, derived from the shrub, was
first isolated in 1855 by Gardeke, but
its important and peculiar properties
were not we'll understood until 1884,
when Roller demonstrated to the
world its wonderful power of produc-
ing local loss of sensation. While it
has important medical uses in isolat-
ed cases, as in the production of suf-
ficient loss of sensation when inject
ed into the spinal canal to permit
of the amputation of leg without
pain. il was very soon found by ply
sicians that its continued use must be
avoided, as there was great danger
Of forming a habit much more diff
cult TO cure than even the use of NOR
phine.
Digestive Disorders.
When too much of the drug is TAX
en- disorders of the digestion quickly
appear, insomnia is extreme and ema-
citation and dropsy develop. The en-
feeblement of the intellectual facul-
ties is most marked, and an uncer-
tain step, general apathy, sunken eyes
trembling lips and fetid breath mark
the habitual victim. The exhileration
reported from the use of the drug is
not so great as many suppose, and its
duration is comparatively short.
DR.. Henry w. Cattell has made
careful study Of cocaine and its ef-
feet
1.-THE habitual user of cocaine" he
said, "may be rightly termed fiend,
the word in Anglo-Saxon meaning
enemy, because he actually becomes
an enemy to society He steals, lies
and cheats; he develops a suicidal
tendency, and he becomes excessive
Iy quarrelsome, and thus liable to
commit violence The habit tightens
its grip upon a person in compare
lively short time, and is hard to
shake off If persisted in, it will
lead to insanity. The intervals be-
tween the periods Of exaltation pro-
duced by the drug are marked by deep
depression and a high state Of ner-
yOus excitability.
1T was largely because Of their
hope Of extirpating this vice that
physicians took so great an interest
in the passage Of the pure food law
by congress. Additional legislation
is necessary to prevent the indiscrim-
nate sale Of substitutes for cocaine,
which are equally dangerous. Phil
adelphia Ledger.