specimen dish; controlled drug; cocaine

Sample dish containing examples of dried coca leaves. Coca is the dried leaves of the erythroxylum coca or the erythroxylum truxillense (erythroxilaceae). Coca was formerly used for its stimulant action and for the relief of gastric, nausea and but it has no place in modern medicine (Martindale 34th ed 2005). The derivative is cocaine which has local anesthetic properties but is no longer used due to issues with abuse. Dish is sealed.

Details

Category:
Materia Medica & Pharmacology
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A626834
Materials:
container, glass and drug, plant material
type:
specimen dish and cocaine
credit:
Wellcome Trust