How The N.Y. Times Reported on Cocaine "THE BANEFUL DRUG" (while giving INJECTIONS a virtual free pass)

 

May 26, 1886

SLAVES TO THE COCAINE HABIT

THE PITIABLE CONDITION OF DR. HAZEN AND HIS DAUGHTER

 Elmira, N.Y., May 25. - The victims of the cocaine habit, Dr. A.S. Hazen and daughter whose wild ravings at the Delavan House yesterday created such a furor among the guests and people in the vicinity, were seen by a TIMES representative today, after they had received treatment at the City Hospital during the night and morning.  Although seeming rational, the couple presented a sorry sight and showed clearly that their brains had undergone slow but sure poisoning by the persistent experimenting of the doctor on himself and daughter.  Hazen in his best spells, when balanced by cocaine, seems well satisfied with the result of his experimenting, and says that he will soon abandon the use of the drug; but this seems to be a delusion, as he is considered hopelessly lost to the cocaine habit.  Dr. Hazen stated that he had gradually used morphine while experimenting, and that the habit of using that drug grew so strong on him that his cravings for it were unbearable, and that in order for him to break himself of the habit and appease the pain sometimes caused by his in-satiate longings for morphine he began taking cocaine.  He was cured of the morphine habit, but he found the cocaine habit fastened upon him in its stead.  He then thought he would continue to see what the results would be, and he paid dearly for it.  He claims that he had demonstrated that those who have been discussing the drug did not know what they were talking or writing about, and said that he will himself write a work on cocaine and its effects on the human system.  He expected to take his daughter to Wellsborough, Penn., this afternoon and then go to Sharpsville, Penn., himself.

About noon Constable Fean repaired to the hospital, and on an attachment that had been sworn out by Bauch & Lomb, of Rochester, attached all of Hazen's belongings.  The firm brought suit before Justice Roper, of this city, to secure about $250 worth of goods that they had sent to Hazen on approval while he had his residence in Indiana.  The principle part of the goods sought after was a fine microcrope and a number of valuable objectives.  The microscope was found and taken possession of by the officer, but the objectives could not be secured.  Hazen had pawned goods with Watson, the East Waterstreet pawnbroker, to the amount of $38 50, and had invested a portion of the money in cocaine.  At one of the railway stations the constable also had levied on several boxes of household goods that had been shipped as freight.  Hazen had been running about the city considerably during the day, and both he and his daughter seemed to continue rational under the influence of the drug, which they use constantly to keep them braced up

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1886/07/04/103959900.html?pageNumber=1

No mention of the route of administration- how taken?

A SLAVE TO COCAINE.

ANOTHER PHYSICIAN A VICTIM TO THE BANEFUL DRUG.

CINCINNATI, July 3, 1886 

For some time past the peculiar actions of Dr. J.W. Underhill, one of the most prominent physicians of this city, have excited the gravest apprehensions among his friends.  The neighborhood in which he lives has been almost terrorized by his eccentricities, but his brother physicians have hereto refused to state the exact nature of his trouble.  It is now developed that Dr. Underhill is a victim of the cocaine habit, being the third authenticated case on record in the United States.  The eminent doctor, who was twice elected Coroner, and was for several terms President of the Cincinnati Board of Education, has been in poor health for two or three years.  He went to the Bermuda Islands in the Winter of 1884, and returned in an improved condition.  While suffering from lung disorder the doctor contracted a desire for opium, which he used immoderately.  Upon the supposition that cocaine would cure him of the opium habit he began to use it, but it seems to have had a contrary and more horrible effect.  The exact time when Dr. Underhill began the use of cocaine cannot be ascertained, but it certainly dates back three or four months.  He is now a pitiful sight.  The dreadful drug has reduced him in fresh until he is a mere skeleton.  The pupils of the eyes are greatly dilated, and his whole appearance is indicative of a man under intense mental strain and excitement.  On several occasions during the past two weeks the unfortunate physicians has shown a disposition to be vindictive when deprived of his drug.  Persuasion has been useless, and coercive measures were not resorted to on on account of the high standing of the family and the unpleasant notoriety it would give them. Yesterday the doctor skipped out of his house while unobserved and went to a livery stable, where he hired a buggy and drove toward the country.  Shortly after his nonappearance Mrs. Underhill left her home in great alarm, but could find no trace of him.  It is certain that he had no trace of him.  It is certain that he had been taking large portions of cocaine hypodermic ally, and he was frenzied from the effect.  He had of late entirely neglected his practice, which brought him an income variously estimated at from $10,000 to $15,000 per annum, and his former patients awed by his horrible condition have avoided him.  A searching party was sent out, and he was found and brought home.  The publication of the distressing facts connected with this unfortunate affair will create a great sensation in this city.  Friends of the family say that the doctor will be committed to a private asylum next week.  At times he is quite rational, and after the influence of the drug has temporarily subsided it leaves him weak and debilitated.  Dr. Underhill is about 52 years old.

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1886/07/04/103959900.html?pageNumber=1

 

Only a single mention of the route of administration - taken hypodermic INJECTION!.

Zero mention nor discussion of the pharmacokinetics of taking cocaine or ANY stimulant by injections.

The Headline should have read "Cocaine Injections" - or "Hypodermic Cocaine".

Yet instead the N.Y. Times calls cocaine "the baneful drug", while giving a free pass to the idea of taking it by injection.   

Cocaine occurs naturally in Coca leaves.  People who consume Coca leaves are taking cocaine indirectly as Coffee drinkers take caffeine or Tobacco users nicotine.

By virtually ignoring the mode of administration - hypodermic injection" while labeling cocaine as "the baneful drug" The New York Times surrendered to caffeine/nicotine protectionism, and marked a surrender of journalistic integrity.

This is what the U.S. government did with misrepresenting cocaine by framing it as a drug taken by injection.  See: https://freedomofmedicineanddiet.blogspot.com/2008/03/us-state-department-deceives-chinas.html