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Show 174 Results of an investigation of its effects is now being published by a United Nations Committee. All of these studies would be greatly helped by an examination of the situation in Ecuador. In prehistoric times the area of the present Ecuador Republic was one of coca cultivation and consumption. This is proved by numerous archaeological remains which show human figures chewing coca. This habit extended and intensified during the Inca period in Ecuador, with the gradual elimination of the original restrictions. Historic evidence of this fact is encountered in the testimony of the early chroniclers of the Conquest and in later documents. Coca chewing became even more intensified during the early years of the colonial government. The encomenderos increased its production because of the great demand by the Indians, and the habit soon extended to the European population, even infiltrating the convents to the alarm of the Inquisitor Don Juan de Manozca. During the succeeding centuries the Spanish legislators, deeply perturbed by this situation, assumed a repressive attitude. Lands dedicated to coca cultivation were changed over to other agricultural products. By the eighteenth century the plant had become almost extinct, and years later was an object of curiosity in Ecuador. How to explain the disappearance of so deeply-rooted a habit in a central zone, located identically with others in which this habit persists? The pernicious effects of coca chewing are studied and the author arrives at the conclusion that elimination of this habit has greatly improved the Indian of Ecuador, both physically and mentally, when compared with other autochthonous groups still addicted to the habit. Editorial. "La Salud Del Indio," America Indigena, XII No. 2 (April, 1952), pp. 99-102. The Editorial explains health conditions of the Indian population of American countries, especially those of Indian-Spanish America. The lack of doctors is the reason why there are no reliable data on the morbidity, but it is clearly stated that there is a high figure. Proof being complete disappearance of many Indian dialects and languages. It goes on to explain possible methods that can be used in curing the sicknesses that caused deaths. Gutierrez-Noriega, Carlos (Peru). "El Habito De La Coca En Sud America " America Indigena, XII (April, 1952), pp„ 111-119. English Summary:' |