Douglas Small

Dr. Douglas Small, a historian of medicine and author, explores the surprising prevalence of cocaine in Victorian Britain. He details its evolution from a revered indigenous plant to a popular medicinal substance and, eventually, a recreational drug. Listeners will learn how cocaine revolutionized surgery and became entangled in literature, particularly through the character of Sherlock Holmes. The discussion also covers societal anxieties and the shift from medical use to addiction issues, shedding light on the complexities of drug culture during that era.

Dr. Douglas Small, author of "Cocaine, Literature, and Culture, 1876-1930," delves into the fascinating history of cocaine in Victorian Britain. The conversation reveals how Edward Weston, a celebrated athlete, sparked a craze for coca leaves that permeated popular culture. Small discusses the transformation of coca from a ritualistic plant into a commercialized drug, the sensational pedestrianism sport of the 1870s, and the initial public perception of cocaine as a wonder drug before concerns over addiction arose.