Aztec's Sacred Mushroom

1916

Mushrooms are dangerous enough in the United States, where those who gather and eat them prize their flavor, and sometimes perish by reason of wrong diagnosis, for the deadly kind that are called toadstools look much like some of the edible mushrooms. In Mexico it would seem that the mushroom situation is worse than here, for while Americans hunt mushrooms for food, the Mexicans have reason to regard them as both meat and drink. Read the following statement of what happens after consuming the sacred mushroom of the Aztecs:

It is a powerful narcotic, producing the most fantastic visions, and is regarded by the Indians as a key which, in their ceremonial, opens to them all the glories of another and better world. A tincture made by simply chopping up the plant and allowing it to soak in diluted alcohol for a couple of weeks is a most serviceable remedy for nervousness, headaches and insomnia. When chewed (the Indians say) it stops the painful coughing of consumptives.

Botanists assert that the "sacred mushroom" is not a mushroom at all, but a cactus. That, however, is merely a matter of bald detail. What is important is the action of the plant on the system, This is attributed to an alkaloid principle it contains known as anhalonin, which chemists say is separable in the form of white, needlelike crystals.

The plant resembles a radish in shape. It has a button-like top, which is all of it that appears above the ground, and this is why it has been taken for a mushroom. The top is covered with prickles.

The early missionaries disapproved of the "sacred mushrooms." Because its use was part of the religious ceremonial of the native priests, the good missionaries called it "devil root." Another name of it is "dream plant," because of the visions it produces. Besides the dream inducing alkaloid, it yields a deadly poison; so it would not do for people unfamiliar with the plant to experiment with its effects on their own persons. People who have had it administered to them by physicians declare it is a remedy for the headachy condition that follows the drinking of alcohol.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 6.

Honeymoon Couple Walking Around the United States

Pennsylvania, 1915

HIKING HONEYMOON

Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Shaw to Keep at Three Years

Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Shaw have arrived in Gettysburg. The couple began a unique honeymoon trip on December 1, starting at Glen Falls, N. Y. They state that on a wager of $10,000 they are to travel on foot to the capitols of all the states forming the border of the United States within three years. Their plan of procedure is to walk six days in a week, and rest on Sundays. As an incidental source of revenue, they sell picture post cards.

Up to the present time they have met with no mishaps, and have enjoyed good health. Their route has taken them through Albany, Binghamton, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Harrisburg, York and many smaller cities and towns.

—Adams County News, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1915, page 5.


Deductive Reasoning

"Mamma, what's a bookworm?" asked small Eloise. "A person who loves to collect and study books, dear," was the reply. A few days later a woman called whose fingers were decorated with innumerable rings. "Oh, mamma," exclaimed Eloise, "look at Mrs. Smith's rings. She must be a ringworm!"


Mushroom Farm

A mushroom farm in California consists of 600 square feet, the beds being in tiers in a basement. Although mushroom growing in the United States has assumed considerable proportions, the imports continue to be large.


Significant Madagascar Dance

In Madagascar when the men are absent at war the women dance for the greater part of the day, believing that this will inspire their husbands with courage, and doubtless many a man hard pressed on the field of battle does feel a peculiar access of determination to vanquish the enemy when he thinks of his wife dancing tirelessly all day that he may win.

Boxing News: The Vader White Hope Loses in First Round

Centralia, Washington, 1913
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FARMER AND SWAIN BOUT CALLED DRAW

Frank Farmer, of Kapowskin, and Joe Swain, of Portland, fought six rounds to a draw at the local armory before a big crowd of fight fans last night. The decision of Referee Biddy Bishop proved to be popular with the crowd, the fight being one of the most closely contested and the "scrappiest" ever witnessed in Centralia. Farmer led in the earlier part of the fight, while Swain came back for the best of it in the latter rounds. In the curtain raiser Battling Burley disposed of Billy McFadden, the Vader white hope, in one round.

--Daily Chronicle-Examiner, Centralia, Washington, August 30, 1913, page 6.



Chehalis, Washington, 1921
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FIND BIG MUSHROOM.

Sidney Jefferts and H. Ailsworth went deer hunting last Sunday. Game was scarce, but the trip was worth while, as they found a 16½ -pound mushroom. They have decided now to go mushroom hunting instead of after deer.

--The Chehalis Bee-Nugget, Chehalis, Washington, October 28, 1921, page 3.