[pavel_lishin]

Doesn't this level of overwork originate with one medical instructor, who was a habitual cocaine user and thought nothing of going without sleep?

I remember reading this somewhere, but can't remember where.

[themantalope]

I'm a medical student. According to legend, yes, William Osler (one of the founding physicians at Johns Hopkins Hospital) used cocaine to increase his energy and focus while working.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Osler

[tnecniv]

Cocaine abuse was rampant around the turn of the 20th century, since it was used as an anesthetic.