The Seven Sisters of Sleep / Popular History of the Seven Prevailing Narcotics of the World

Name: The Seven Sisters of Sleep / Popular History of the Seven Prevailing Narcotics of the World
Author: M. C. Cooke

By M. C. Cooke

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Drugs/Alcohol/Pharmacology History - Other

About This Book

A survey of seven widely used intoxicants traces their botanical origins, mythic and historical uses, global distribution, methods of consumption, and social customs surrounding them. Chapters combine antiquarian anecdotes and traveler reports to describe opium, tobacco, hemp/haschisch, coca, betel/buyer, solanaceous poisons like stramonium and henbane, and psychoactive fungi such as amanita; treatments of manufacture, trade, legal and religious objections, public health concerns, and cultural practices are included. The text mixes popular history with practical notes, comparative statistics, museum references, and an appendix of tabulated data to aid understanding of consumption, commerce, and remedies associated with each narcotic.

About the Author

M. C. Cooke

M. C. Cooke was a notable figure in the field of mycology, contributing significantly to the understanding of fungi through his writings. He is best known for his works such as "Fungi: Their Nature and Uses" and "Rust, Smut, Mildew, & Mould: An Introduction to the Study of Microscopic Fungi," which explore the diverse roles and characteristics of fungi in nature. Additionally, Cooke authored "The Seven Sisters of Sleep," a popular history that examines various narcotics and their effects. His contributions have enriched the study of both fungi and the cultural implications of narcotics, making him a significant figure in 19th-century scientific literature.