Böerhaave (Inst. phys. § 68), states that: "the saliva charged with all the bitter and mucilaginous principles of Coca carries to the stomach, in addition to vital strength, a veritable nutritive which, digested and converted into an abundant and nutritious chyle, enters into the circulation and is converted into the material necessary to sustain the human economy."
We shall not stop to quote the different writings of observers who have interested themselves in Coca. It may be inferred from the preceding statements that Coca possesses this particular character, viz., of enabling those who make use of it to withstand the greatest fatigue. Men employed in hard work in mines, couriers obliged to traverse mountainous countries difficult of travel without being able to take much rest, in a word, persons subject to overwork in every way, all agree in recognizing the strengthening and nerve-fortifying action of Coca. It supports them, economizes their forces, prevents their succumbing to lassitude—in short, augments their vitality.
When the Indian has a good supply of Coca he undertakes, without the slightest fear, the most difficult and longest voyages, even into fever-stricken countries.
When he passes before an apachecta (a quadrangular mound which the natives raise on the sides of the roads at certain points for a halting-place), the Indian divests himself of his wraps, takes his quid of Coca from his mouth, always after having previously exhausted it, and, in order to draw down upon it the blessing of Pachacamac, their sovereign master of the world, he throws it against the consecrated hillock. Thus, that which particularly characterizes these kinds of tumuli are the green splashes of Coca with which they are literally covered.
The name of coqueros is given to the chewers of Coca. It seems that this plant procured for them dreams like those to which hachisch gives rise.
In native therapeutics, this plant is used to dress ulcers and all kinds of sores. The Indians also use it to combat asthma, jaundice, colic, etc.
Coca is consumed chiefly in Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Brazil. Since 1863—the time from which our first efforts to popularize it date—its use has rapidly become general, and it may be stated that to-day it is known and used in all civilized countries.
