Coca

Symptom 364, in vol. iii, copied from Hering’s Monograph, begins with “On washing;” in North. Amer. Journ. of Horn., New Series, vol. v, p. 179, first line, it is “On waking.”

Aidhorities. 45, Alex. Crochet, Journ. de Chim. Med. (Amer. Journ. of marm., 1833-4), p. 58, effects of clieving, on the Indians of Peru ; (46 to 50, Berridge’s Collections, Appendix to Brit. Journ. of Horn., general ejects) ; 46, Dr. ]\Martius, front Gauger’s Repert., 1842, p. 452 (Pharm. Journ., 1843, vol. ii, p. GOOf; 47, Prof. Sehlechtendal,front Encyclopaedia of Med. Sci. and Archiv. der Pliarni., 1853 (Pharm. Journ., vol. xiii, p. 224); 48, Sheriff, from Wien. Wchnbl., vol. xviii, and Hchmidt, vol. cxvi, j). 297 (New Sydenham Sac. Pub., vol. xix, p. 453), experiments with Cocaine, its acetate and chloride, and an alcoholic extract of the leaves; 49, Ross, Roman Correspond. Sci. (Lancet, 1866 (2), p. 195); 50, Practitioner, 1868, vol. i, p. 233, Review of Recherches Chun. et Phys. sur I’Erythroxylum Coca du Peru et la Cocaine, by Thomas Moreno y Mass, Paris, 1868; (51 to 55, Edward Lippman, These Etude sur la Coca du Peru, Strasburg, 1868); 51, effects of hot infusions of 1 to 15 grams to 60 of water; 52, effects of 30 grams ; 53, extract of 2 grams; 54, obs. of Rossier, effects of chewing 1 to 3 grams of the leaves; 55, Mr. Reis, chewed the leaves; 56, union, No. 91 (Ntw Sydenham Sac. Pub., vol. xix, 455), (Berridge), effects of leaves ; 57, Scrivener, Med. Times and Gaz., 107 (2), p. 407, effects on chewers; 58, Berridge, North. Amer. Journ. of Horn., New Series, vol. V, 1874, p. 165, Dr. David Wilson, inhaled the vapor while potentizing about 3.30 P.M.; 59, E. B. Shuttleworth, Can. Pharm. Journ., Ang., 1877 (Pharm. Journ. and Trans., vol. viii, 1877, p. 221), effects on the Toronto Lacrosse Club.

Mind p. 471

Its effect is to deaden sensation and produce even madness

In large quantities the chewing of leaves induces a state of intoxication, like that of Cannabis

Animation and content

When chewed in large quantities, the Coca causes a kind of intoxication and loss of sleep

The head felt agreeably light, the ideas flowed with facility, and fantastic images followed each other in rapid succession ; this was soon succeeded by extreme drowsiness.'^s, in resisting which there was great oppression of the head and confusion of thought. If he had given way to it the prover felt he would have passed into an agreeable dream life, like that produced by Cannabis. The effect of the drug varies according to the intensity of the effort made to resist it. As soon as the interference with consciousness ceases, and the relation between the mind and the external world is reestablished, all the other functions return to their normal state

Head p. 471

Heaviness of the head

Always after chewing the leaves sleep was quiet, but the next morning there was frontal headache, which lasted a part of the day; at the same time the tongue became coated and the appetite impaired

Hye p. 471

Eyes brilliant

After large doses of the decoction, there is dilatation of the pupils, and physical mental calm,®f

Jar p. 471

In half an hour, distant ringing booms through head, repeated twice, once in evening, lasting a few seconds

Nose p. 471

About midnight, on going to bed, nose felt swollen and stuffed, like an incipient catarrh (first day)

Countenance more animated

Paleness of lips

Slight yellow tinge about angles of mouth

Throat p. 471

Teeth stained bright yellow*,®

It increases the secretion of saliva, produces a sensation of warmth and fulness in the mouth and stomach, and stills hunger

Diminished saliva

Some dryness of the throat

Heat and dryness of the throat

Stomach p. 471

It enables the workmen to endure prolonged abstinence

Men may live in robust health several days without food. Kossi, after taking a decoction of the leaves, felt neither hunger nor thirst for fortyeight hours

They appear as if they had partaken of a rich repast,“k

An agreeable heat; a sensation of comfort in the epigastrium, somewhat like that produced by a glass of wine, radiating from the stomach over the whole body

Respiratory Organs p. 472

Enables them to ascend heights without dyspnoea

Ionise p. 472

Pulse strong and frequent

The pulse from the first gained in frequency and strength, while the breathing lost in frequency, but became deeper and fuller

Pulse 59 (before taking); 63 (after five minutes) ; 56 (after fifteen minutes) ; 61 (after forty-five minutes),“k

Superior Extremities p. 472

A warm indistinct pain in left shoulderjoint, for a few minutes, at 12.30 p.m. (second day),“k

Generalities p. 472

Tetanic convulsions, hyperesthesia, dilated pupils, and diminution of movements from loss of co-ordination

Abuse of Coca causes signs of premature old age, unsteady step, yellow skin, want of brilliancy of eye, and general indifference or apathy,“k

General symptoms like those produced by a small quantity of alcohol, a slight disturbance of vision, slight increase in the frequency of the pulse ; cold infusions produced the same effects,“k

Sustains the strength

Desire for physical exertion,®k

Great feeling of comfort

More agility in walking

Increases the bodily activity,^k

The effects of small doses seems to be to resist fatigue, which I frequently noticed in long walks

When provided with Coca, they (the Peruvians) can make rapid journeys, without suffering in their respiration, and can take unremitted exercise without being worn out by fatigue. They have been known when acting as guides, to travel twelve or fourteen leagues without stopping,and to perform this as rapidly as the best mounted horseman. This arises from the circumstance, that in these elevated regions, horses soon suffer in their wind, and hence gradually relax their speed; whilst, on the contrary, the Indians, by constantly using the Coca, do not thus suffer, and always keep the interior of their mouth in a moist state. The inhabitants of the country support all kinds of fatigue, for two or three days, without any other stimulant than the Coca

At the commencement of the match, about 1 drachm to 1^ drachms of the leaves was served out to each man. This was chewed, in small portions, during the game, the saliva being swallowed. On first taking the leaves, a sensation of heat and dryness was produced in the throat. This was relieved by washing out the mouth, or gargling with water, after which the desire for water was no greater than usual. Soon after a sensible augmentation of force, and a general feeling of invigoration were realized, and continued to be felt throughout the game, so that fatigue was wholly, or in great part resisted. The pulse was observed to increase in frequency, perspiration was augmented, but no mental effect was noticed, save the exhilaration of spirits always attendant on the exercise of well-strung muscles and on the excitement of play,®k

Torpor,®k

General feebleness,®k

It produces, in large quantities, lassitude and drowsiness,*k

The first effects are succeeded by a profound calm, a kind of paresis, during which one does not wish to use the faculties, and is overpowered by indolence

Skin p. 472

While writing a long letter, about 8 or 9 P.M., felt in left groin and region of abdominal ring as if the skin were sore and smarting; it felt a little tender to touch. (Here he formerly had an extensive glandular suj)duration several years ago, from cold and fever), (first day)

Sleep p. 473

Slept remarkably well last night; dreaming that something was adhering to fauces at posterior entrance to nares vvdiich he was trying to detach ; woke about 8 a.m., actually in the effort, and there really was mucus there to detach ; still has the smarting soreness (second day)

Fever p. 473

Increase of subjective warmth

Coldness of the extremities,‘‘k

General perspiration,‘k

Cutaneous secretion rather diminished