A friend keeps a pretty nifty blog archive of way-olde (early-1900s, late-1800s), weird/sad/interesting articles from our local paper, The Baltimore Sun. Today she unveiled a real true gem about how “science is continually finding plants which are useless and dangerous, and which should be destroyed, or prevented from spreading.” It actually outlines the concept of invasive species pretty well in the beginning, but plunges headfirst into “marihuana” panic hilarity and arrives at the conclusion that, indeed, a great many plants should be destroyed. Enjoy.
There is a constant search throughout the world for plants which may become useful or ornamental or both. Florists are continually placing new and handsome flowers on the market, and many new types of vegetables are being found. At the same time science is continually finding plants which are useless and dangerous, and which should be destroyed, or prevented from spreading.
Some of our most noxious weeds have been imported from distant lands, and, strange as it may seem, these are the most rapid multipliers. Some of these weeds threaten to destroy our most valuable grasses for grazing. In a number of instances it has been found that horses and cattle are sometimes fatally injured by eating certain weeds.
One of the most dangerous of these weeds is the marihuana. It is found in many parts of Mexico, and is said to have recently made its appearance in the United States.
The habit of smoking this weed is indulged in by many Mexicans. Its dry leaves, either alone or mixed with tobacco, make the smoker wilder than a wild beast. The effects of the marihuana plant upon the smoker are worse than those of pluque or mescal. Three or four draughts of the smoke are enough to cause a slight headache. Later everything seems to be moving and finally there is a loss of the control of the mental faculties.
In the next stage of the intoxication troops of ferocious wild animals pass before the vision of the smoker. These animals are attacked by hosts of devils and monsters of unheard-of shapes. The idea seems to possess the smoker that he is endowed with superhuman strength and bravery. At this stage of the debauch the murderous mania is often show.
An American, who was the superintendent of a mine in Mexico, became the object of hatred of one of the men in his employ. The Mexican mixed marihuana with the American's tobacco. The latter became wildly insane after smoking the mixture, made a vicious attack upon a party of his own men, and was shot and killed before he could be overpowered.
As a result of smoking a marihuana cigarette a peon in the city of Mexico ran amuck and killed a native policeman and wounded three others before being subdued. The wildly intoxicating properties of the weed have long been known to the natives. The orgies it has frequently produced are so hideous that they defy description.
The weed is found growing wild in the southern part of the country. So dangerous is it that a constant watch was kept by the Governmental authorities during the Diaz regime to prevent it from being marketed.
Another weed that is similar in its effect to the "loco weed" of the Western states of this country is found in the Mexican state of Michoacan. It is called "totrache."The seeds of this plant boiled and drunk produce violent intoxication, ending in insanity. There is a story among some classes of the Mexicans to the effect that Carlotta, the former Empress of Mexico, lost her mind as a result of drinking totrache, which was secretly administered by her enemies.
A vigorous campaign should be instituted against these and other plants which are known to be detrimental to human beings as well as animals. A united movement to eradicate such dangerous plants would soon result in their complete removal or control.The common nightshade, buck or strap-leaf plantain, and other useless plants found growing each season in almost every garden are familiar forms of useless plant life that might as well be destroyed.Don’t go bother asking your dealer for “totrache” by the way. If a healthy internet search is any indication, it appears to have been a limited phenomenon.Reach this writer at michaelb@motherboard.tv.
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