Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1886 — “Coca” Not a New Remedy. [ARTICLE]

“Coca” Not a New Remedy.

Notwithstanding the prominence attained by coca, within a comparatively recent time, it was in fact introduced some years: ago in France, where it has rendered most valuable service in therapeutics. Professor Pouchardat considers the coca as a stimulant to the nervous and muscular systems, and terms it also a “substance depargne, ” or that which prevents the rapid waste of v tissue, aud thus enables the consumer to go a long Tine without food. The leaf contains an essential oil, which is of an aromatio odor coupled with the flavor of the fresh plant; and the slightly acid and bitter taste of the leaf is attr.buted to the presence of tannin, and to the alkaloid —somewhat akin to atrophine—so well known as “cocaine. ” A pharmacist, named B ain, was the first, or one of the first, to introduce it into medicine, years ago, in France, in the form of elixir aud wine, useful in prolonged convalescence and in great prostration of strength.