Page:Alcohol, a Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine.djvu/329

Rh patients, who want us to help them with drugs; let us tell them that rest is the only safe remedy for weariness.

"To combine such a drug as coca, or cocaine, with an alcoholic stimulant, is to multiply the dangers of cocainism by those of alcoholism. It would be impossible to find terms sufficiently severe in which to condemn the recklessness of those who promiscuously recommend such a compound for all who are overworked or debilitated. One firm actually has the assurance to advertise a preparation of this kind as a remedy for dipsomania. Truly this is casting out devils by Beelzebub, with a vengeance. Invoking Beelzebub for such a purpose has never been a success. And I suspect that any form of coca wine will make a great many more dipsomaniacs than it will cure."

Dr. Walter N. Edwards, F. C. S., says of coca wines:—

"These wines are sold as being useful in an immense variety of ailments. The following area few of the many that are named upon the bottles or in the circulars accompanying them:— "Weakness after illness,

"Nervous disorders,

"Sleeplessness,

"Influenza,

"Whooping cough,

"Exhaustion of mind and body,

"Allays thirst,

"Restores digestive function,

"Enables great physical toil to be undergone,

"Great value in excesses of all kinds,

"General debility,

"Prevents colds and chills,

"Makes pure, rich blood,