COCA WINES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6090, 29 January 1898, Page 2

COCA WINES.

We hear that the Excise authorities contemplate taking steps Xo restrict the sale of the so-called coca wines, the consumption whereof, under the guise of medicated wine, is enormous, and is daily increasing, thanks to the ingenious and extensive advertising of the manufacturers. The mode of preparation is simple j enough. The>chemist buys a few gallons of cheap fiery port, at something under nine shillings a gallon, adds a few tabloids of cocaine, which are said to be sold under cost price, or an infinitesimal quantity of the liquid extract of coca leaves, sweetens with a little treacle, and retails this highly intoxicating beverage at three or four shillings the bottle. It is absurd to pretend that any therapeutical '■ virtues are possessed by such preparations which would not be better obtained by exhibiting the drug as such, and their popularity can only be due to the facilities they offer for clandestine indulgence. If the alcoholic strength of all such medicated wines could be reduced to the minimum necessary to their preservation, their consumption would speedily decrease, to the advantage of the public at large. — Medical Press.