From Charles Ledger   5 July 1860

Erytroxylon Coca

This shrub, known & much used by the Peruvian Indians prior to the Conquest of their country, is very extensively cultivated, yielding two crops yearly (Mar & Sep) in the valleys of "Yungas" in the Republic of Bolivia. Cuzco, & Amazons in Peru. The former country produces annually 500.000 cestas,¹ of the latter 300.000, of 23 lbs weight each, equal to 6.400.000 lbs or 2 lbs each for the consumption of the 2.200.000 Indian population of those countries. — The Bolivian Coca is superior to that of Peru, & is consequently more highly esteemed & obtains higher price. It's use is more general than Tobacco in those countries by the indigenous races, the Spanish descendents seldom indulge openly in it's mastication although I have often seen [it]² "handed round" by domestics, in houses of highest respectability in Peru & Bolivia.

Among the Indians especially, it's virtues are so highly esteemed that it holds pre-eminence as medecine for all internal & external complaints. Superstition also attributes to it great power in adivination, propitiation of ire of supposed "spirits" inhabiting Mountains & passes; no journey is commenced without the "wise man" previously effecting solemn examination of the "chuspas" or coca pouches of the domestic circle. Some of the leaves are scattered over the loading & beasts of burden. Small quantities are tied up in tiny packets to be left at different spots along the road as offerings to the "Pacha-mama" & "Carisari" weirds of the Mountains, to protect the depositors & Llamas of burden from attacks of "Soroche" — a painful sensation occasioned by the rarified air at such high elevation & which often causes death to man & beast. I consider the "Soroche" worse than a severe visitation of seasickness. I have suffered from both. I cannot extend further on the supposed unnatural efficacy of the famous Coca, I will confine myself to what experience has proved to me. I found the mastication of some 20 leaves at a time every 3 or 4 hours, swallowing the saliva extremely invigorating — allaying both thirst & hunger — imparting a sensation of energy inexplicable. After hard riding all day for days together, I have often been forced to continue, now & then, my journey all night. I then by the use of Coca in moderation, felt free from weariness or the "done up" feeling I have naturally felt from long continued riding.

In traversing desert of Atacama in middle of hot summer, I have been without water two nights & one day — I felt a desire to moisten my mouth, but did not feel thirsty. I consumed about 2 ozs. Coca leaves in that time, had not the anxiety as to whether the next water we ought to arrive at would be found dry, & the idea of what we & the animals might have to suffer in such case, I hardly think I should have drank water had we had it with us.

I have repeatedly heard my Shepherds say, that with 1 oz. of coca daily they would not feel alarmed at passing 8 days without food or water — I firmly believe they would not.

In cases of flatulency, pain in the stomach, I have found an infusion of the same quantity as one would use of tea, to make a pint of middling strength, sweetened with a little sugar, to be palatable (nice) & very efficacious in removing pain.

A quantity of masticated leaves applied to wounds, bites of snakes, venemous insects, contusions, sprains, haemorrage, blight in eyes, swellings (particularly glandular) afford prompt relief, & gradual cure.

I have felt no deleterious results after use for a time, or hankering after it on leaving off its use on arriving at end of journey. It is however dangerous in the extreme if used immoderately. Many persons consuming 1lb or more daily have gone mad, others drinking to excess at same time have died. As with many or all stimulants the moderate use thereof is beneficial, whilst their abuse is most pernicious.

C. Ledger

Arthursleigh, July 5th 1860

To Dr Ferdinand Mueller M.D

Melbourne³

Erytroxylon Coca