Erythroxylon Coca
The leaves of this plant, under the name of
coca, are much used by the inhabitants of South America as a
masticatory. It forms an article of commerce among the Indians,
who carefully dry the leaves and use them daily. Their use, in
moderation,
acts as a stimulant to the nervous system and enables
those who chew them to perform long journeys without any other
food. The use of coca in Peru is a very ancient custom, said to
have originated with the Incas. It is common throughout the
greater part of Peru, Quito, New Granada; and on the banks of the
Rio Negro it is known as Spadic. A principle, called _cocaine_,
has been extracted from the leaves, which is used in medicine.
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