Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-06
MEXICO'S NARCOTIC PLANTS.
Fifteen Varieties That Act on
Nerves and Cause Insanity.

From the Mexican Herald.
There are in Mexico about fifteen plants
which act directly on the nervous system,
causing various forms Of insanity. Many
Of them are Indigenous to Mexico. The
most famous Of these plants, but by no
means the only one in common use, Is the
marihuana weed. Generally the leaves
are used. by one addicted to its use. In
the form Of a cigarette. However. the
same effects can be secured by eating the
roots of the plant.
Marfhuana Is used to limited extent
throughout the republic. Its effect on the
quantities the user may live for years
and continue the habit. Shortly after
smoking or taking the plant internally the
user has a period of hallucination or
fects in the eyesight. and during which
stage the person usually performs all
sorts Of antics and occasionally the most
terrible crimes. After the habit is ac-
quired the taste for all food is lost and
only enough nourishment to retain life Is
taken by the person who has formed the
habit. In the latter stages there is a lin
gering period of emaciation, characterized
by sunken eyeballs. lusterless hair and
feeble movements.
The "toloache," or flower Of DEATH"
as it is more commonly known, is found
only in the coast countries OF southern
Mexico, and is usually taken IN small
quantities internally. producing sleep al
most Immediately. during which the user
has pleasant dreams during the first
stages Of the effect of the plant, but cor
respondingly terrible in the latter stages.
1t differs from the effects produced by
marihuana in that the consumer gives no
outward indication of the influence he Is
undei.
The Indians In the state Of Oaxaca and
Guerrero brew a poisonous stimulant from
the seed coatings of the castor bean. The
diluted concoction stimulates the heart,
and if care is taken to prevent overdoses
great endurance is possible while under
the effects Of the liquid. The victim OF
the habit, however, soon dies from over
stimulation.
In Mexico is also found a sort of mush-
room, locally known by the Indian name
'teyhuintli." The effect of this plant
when taken internally is immediate and
the results more lasting than any other.
The mind is deranged for several days
following the first dose. 1t being claimed
that the person under its influence Is per-
fectly content with everything, but Is
continually prompted to do most peculiar.
with inanimate objects. etc. there being
few cases where the user Is violent.
When the effects wear of sanity returns.
but with an intense longing to repeat the
dose With the increase in the size of the
dose the periods of insanity are longer.
and finally become permanent. The Pc
culiar feature of teyhuintli is that it
seems to have no specially bad physical
effects as do the other similar poisons.
other than the irreparable loss of the
mind.
The more common "peiule'' is taken
from a plant of the cocoa family. and is
used entirely as an injection. The In
dians cut one of the small veins in the
forearm and blow the liquid into the
blood vessel with small straw. The eff
fects are the same as with the users OF
cocaine.