Came across this article from the New York Times. Almost forgot if I was checking the news or doing research.
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THE USE OF STIMULANTS BY ATHLETES:Drugs Designed for This Purpose Not Favored. From The Medical Record.. New York Times (1857-Current file) New York, N.Y.:Dec 1, 1895. p. 16 (1 pp.) | |
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The alert
mind of the modern drug manufacturer has not failed to take note of the
extraordinary interest and widespread indulgence in athletics and sports
of every kind. The bicycle, field and track athletics, football, golf --
all these things have increased enormously the number of contests in which
the person who has the greatest physical vigor and endurance wins.
It has occurred naturally to the pharmaceutist, therefore, that some
substance which would make the competitor in athletic sports keep his wind
and his strength a little longer would be eagerly seized upon. We
hear already of bicyclists who use various coca and kola compounds in
order to help them in their work. It is even rumored that
preparations of cocaine are consumed to some extent.
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We feel
sure that all true atheletes would disdain any such injurious and
adventitious aids, but there is a vast number of persons who take such
things thoughtlessly and injury is done thereby. The announcements
which are made in advertisements of various stimulants, in which it is
claimed that they save the strength and promote the endurance of bicyclers
and atheletes generally are very much to be deprecated. There are no
drugs which will help one to win a game that could not be won without
them, and the general effect of drug taking, and especially of the use of
drugs belonging to the caffein and cocaine class. is distinctly bad.
We believe that the medical profession ought seriously to warn those with
whom they come in contact professionally against the use of such
things. |