1890 Coca and its Therapeutic Application by Angelo Mariani

— 50 —

We shall now consider the different ways in which we use Peruvian Coca,and which under the well-known forms of vin, elixir, pdte, and of tlid Mariani, have received such universal recognition. We will show incidentally the es teem in which these preparations are held by the highest medical authorities.

VIN MARIANI.

This is the first of the preparations of Coca and the one most generally adopted ; to the tonic and stimulant action of the drug there is added that of a choice quality of wine. The Vin Coca Mariani contains the soluble parts of the Peruvian plant. The combination of Coca,with the tannin and the slight traces of iron which this wine naturally con tains is pronounced the most efficacious of tonics. The Coca leaves that we employ after careful selection come from three different sources and are of incomparable quality. It is this that gives to our wine that special taste and agreeable aroma which renders it so acceptable to the sick. It is likewise to the combination of these three varieties of Coca leaf in our wine that we can attribute this impor tant fact; during almost 30 years, no matter in how large doses taken, Vin Mariani has never produced ^ cocatnisni. (We caution especially against the many so-called Coca wines made with the alkaloid Cocaine.) Vin Mariani is a diffusable tonic, the action of which is immediate. This action,instead of being localized on a sin gle organ,the stomach,spreadsto the whole system. Taken into the circulation, it awakens in its course the retarded functions of every organ,and this is owing to the presence in our preparation of the volatile principles of the plant. Unlike other tonics,the astringent properties of which lead at length to heat and constipation, Vin Mariani does