Scientists in Europe took little interest in coca until 1859, when an Italian neurologist, Paolo Mantegazza,
wrote about the hygienic and medicinal virtues of the leaves.
In 1860, a year later, a German chemist isolated the chemical responsible for the plant's power,
****. Carl Koler found **** could act as a local anesthetic in eye surgery.
As the years passed, scientists found **** paralyzed nerve endings responsible for transmitting
pain. As a local anesthetic, it revolutionized several surgical and dental procedures.
Poster advertising Vin Mariana,
a wine containing coca.
Photo by Steven R. King,
1996.
In the 1860's, a variety of ailments began to be treated with products derived from both coca and ****.
A number of coca tonics became available, including a red Bordeaux wine combined with an extract of select
coca leaves, called Vin Tonique Mariani. Manufactured in Paris, this elixir became the most popular prescription remedy in the world and was used by many celebrities, perhaps the most noted being Pope Leo XIII, who
awarded the wine a Vatican gold medal and carried it around in a hip flask.
****, coca's derivative, has found many uses in developed countries, some positive and some quite detri-
mental.
Today in medicine, coca has given us the chemical blueprint for a number of man-made substances
that have local anesthetic properties of **** without the side effects.
But in politics world-wide coca has become controversial due to the illegal use of its **** derivative.
Many would like to see coca eliminated completely.
Andrew Weil, an ethnobotanist and medical doctor, wrote,
"Washington wants to eradicate coca.
But Andean Indians contend that is a mistake to demonize the plant they hold sacred,
and a surprising new coalition of scientists and politicians agrees."
