Coca and the Victorians

"Coca and the Victorians" by Kim Embrey offers a comprehensive analysis of the role of the South American coca plant in 19th-century Britain. The book examines how coca was initially introduced as a medicinal product before becoming a globally restricted drug. By considering botanical, economic, pharmaceutical, social, and political perspectives, Embrey demonstrates how the use and perception of coca changed as it was transferred to Europe. The process of "cultural dissimilation" is described in detail, showing how coca was not only adopted but also embedded in new medical, social, and scientific contexts. This study illustrates how a plant from the Andes was integrated into British modernity.