Coca and its Therapeutic Application

Third Edition

Mariani

Coca and its Therapeutic Application (Third Edition) by Angelo Mariani is a comprehensive and authoritative exploration of the coca plant and its medicinal uses, first published in the late 19th century. This seminal work delves into the history, botany, chemistry, and pharmacology of coca, the plant from which cocaine is derived, and provides a detailed account of its therapeutic benefits as understood at the time. Mariani, a renowned French chemist and pharmacist, was a pioneer in the study and popularization of coca-based products, most notably the famous Vin Mariani, a tonic wine infused with coca leaves. In this third edition, Mariani expands upon his earlier research, presenting a wealth of scientific data, clinical observations, and testimonials from prominent physicians and patients across Europe and America. The book meticulously documents the physiological effects of coca, highlighting its ability to combat fatigue, stimulate the nervous system, and aid in the treatment of various ailments such as anemia, neurasthenia, digestive disorders, and respiratory conditions. Mariani also addresses the controversies and misconceptions surrounding coca, distinguishing its beneficial properties from the dangers associated with cocaine abuse. Richly illustrated and thoroughly referenced, Coca and its Therapeutic Application includes case studies, experimental results, and correspondence with leading medical authorities of the era. The text is supplemented by appendices featuring historical anecdotes, pharmacological analyses, and a review of coca's cultural significance among indigenous South American populations. Mariani's work stands as both a scientific treatise and a historical document, offering valuable insights into the medical practices and social attitudes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This edition is an essential resource for historians of medicine, pharmacologists, and anyone interested in the complex legacy of the coca plant. It captures a unique moment in medical history, when coca was celebrated as a wonder drug and its therapeutic potential was the subject of intense scientific inquiry and public fascination.

Table of contents

• Coca and its Therapeutic Application
• INTRODUCTION.
• I. ERYTHROXYLON COCA, ITS BOTANICAL CHARACTER.
• II. HISTORY OF COCA.
• III. PHYSIOLOGY OF COCA.
• IV. THERAPEUTIC ACTION OF COCA.
• V. OUR VARIOUS PREPARATIONS OF COCA.
• FOOTNOTES