,,on ,,the ,,preparations ,,of ,,the ,,indian ,,hemp1 ,,or ,,gunjah1 7,,cannabis ,,indica74 ,,their ,,effects ,,on ,,the ,,animal ,,system ,,in ,,health1 ,,and ,,their ,,utility ,,in ,,the ,,treatment ,,of ,,tetanus ,,and ,,other ,,convulsive ,,diseases4 ,,by ,w4 ,b4 ,o',,shaughnessy1 ,m4,d41 ,,bengal ,,army1 ,late ,professor of ,chemistry and ,materia ,medica in the ,medical ,college of ,calcutta4 ,,london3 ,,printed ,,by ,s4 ,,taylor1 #f1 ,,chandos-,,street1 ,,strand4 ,reprinted from the ,transactions of the ,medical ,society of ,calcutta1 #ahch2 and from the ,provincial ,medical ,journal1 #ahdc4 ,,indian ,,hemp1 c4 ,the narcotic effects of hemp are popularly known in the ,south of ,africa1 ,south ,america1 ,turkey1 ,egypt1 ,asia ,minor1 ,india1 and the adjacent territories of the ,malays1 ,burmese1 and ,siamese4 ,in all these countries hemp is used in various forms1 by the dissipated and depraved1 as the ready agent of a pleasing intoxication4 ,in the popular medicine of these nations1 we find it extensively employed for a multitude of affections1 especially those in which spasm or neuralgic pain are the prominent symptoms4 ,but in ,western ,europe its use1 either as a stimulant or as a remedy1 is equally unknown4 ,with the exception of the trial1 as a frolic1 of the ,egyptian 8hasheesh10 by a few youths in ,marseilles1 and of the clinical use of the wine of hemp by ,hahnemann1 as shown in a subsequent extract1 ,i have been unable to trace any notice of the employment of this drug in ,europe4 ,much difference of opinion exists on the question1 whether the hemp so abundant in ,europe1 even in high northern latitudes1 is identical in specific characters with the hemp of ,asia ,minor and ,india4 ,the extraordinary symptoms produced by the latter depend on a resinous secretion with which it abounds1 and which seems totally absent in the ,european kind4 ,the closest physical resemblance or even identity exists between both plants2 difference of climate seems to me more than sufficient to account for the absence of the resinous secretion1 and consequent want of narcotic power in that indigenous in colder countries4 ,in the subsequent article ,i first endeavour to present an adequate view of what has been recorded of the early history1 the popular uses1 and employment in medicine of this powerful and valuable substance2 ,i then proceed to notice several experiments which ,i have instituted on animals1 with the view to ascertain its effects on the healthy system2 and1 lastly1 ,i submit an abstract of the clinical details of the treatment of several patients afflicted with hydrophobia1 tetanus1 and other convulsive disorders1 in which a preparation of hemp was employed with results1 which seem to me to warrant our anticipating from its more extensive and impartial use no inconsiderable addition to the resources of the physician4 ,in the historical and statistical department of the subject1 ,i owe my cordial thanks for most valuable assistance to the distinguished traveller the ,syed ,keramut ,ali1 ,mootawulee of the ,hooghly ,imambarrah1 and also to the ,hakim ,mirza ,abdul ,razes of ,teheran1 who have furnished me with interesting details regarding the consumption of hemp in ,candahar1 ,cabul1 and the countries between the ,indus and ,herat4 ,the ,pandit ,moodoosudun ,gootu has favored me with notices of the statements regarding hemp in the early ,sanscrit authors on materia medica2 to the celebrated ,kamalakantha ,vidyalanka1 the ,pandit of the ,asiatic ,society1 ,i have also to record my acknowledgments2 ,mr4 ,da,costa has obligingly supplied me with copious notes from the 8,mukzun-ul-,udwieh10 and other ,persian and ,hindee systems of materia medica4 ,for information relative to the varieties of the drug1 and its consumption in ,bengal1 ,mr4 ,mc,cann1 the deputy superintendent of police1 deserves my thanks2 and1 lastly1 to the medical gentlemen named in the sequel1 ,i feel much indebted for the clinical details with which they have enriched the subject4 ,botanical ,characters--,chemical ,properties--,production4 ,botanical ,description4--,assuming1 with ,lindley and other eminent writers1 that the ,cannabis sativa and ,indica are identical1 we find that the plant is dicious1 annual1 about three feet high1 covered over with a fine pubescence2 the stem is erect1 branched1 bright green1 angular2 leaves1 alternate or opposite1 on long weak petioles2 digitate1 scabrous1 with linear1 lanceolate1 sharply serrated leaflets1 tapering into a long smooth entire point2 stipules subulate2 clusters of flowers axillary with subulate bractes2 males lax and drooping1 branched and leafless at base2 females erect1 simple and leafy at the base4 ,calyx downy1 five parted1 imbricated4 ,stamens five2 anthers large and pendulous4 ,calyx covered with brown glands4 ,ovary roundish with pendulous ovule1 and two long filiform glandular stigmas2 achenium ovate1 one seeded4--,vide ,lindley's ,flora ,medica1 p4 #bii4 ,the fibres of the stems are long and extremely tenacious1 so as to afford the best tissue for cordage1 thus constituting the material for one of the most important branches of ,european manufactures4 ,the seed is simply albuminous and oily1 and is devoid of all narcotic properties4 ,chemical ,properties4--,in certain seasons and in warm countries a resinous juice exudes and concretes on the leaves1 slender stems1 and flowers2 the mode of removing this juice will be subsequently detailed4 ,separated and in masses it constitutes the churrus#a of ,nipal and ,hindostan1 and to this1 the type or basis of all the hemp preparations1 are the powers of these drugs attributable4 ,the resin of the hemp is soluble in alcohol and ther2 partially soluble in alkaline1 insoluble in acid solutions2 when pure1 of a blackish grey color2 hard at #ij2 softens at higher temperatures1 and fuses readily2 soluble in the fixed and in several volatile oils4 ,its odor is fragrant and narcotic2 taste slightly warm1 bitterish1 and acrid4 ,the dried hemp plant1 which has flowered and from which the resin has not been removed1 is called ,,gunjah4 ,it sells for #as4 #f;d4 to #bs4 for #b lbs4 in the ,calcutta bazaars1 and yields to alcohol twenty per #ajj of resinous extract1 composed of the resin 7churrus71 and green coloring matter 7chlorophylle74 ,distilled with a large quantity of water or spirit1 traces of essential oil pass over1 and the distilled liquor has the powerful narcotic odor of the plant4 ,the gunjah is sold for smoking chiefly4 ,the bundles of gunjah are about two feet long and four inches in diameter1 and contain twenty-four plants4 ,the color is dusky green2 the odor agreeably narcotic2 the whole plant resinous and adhesive to the touch4 ,the larger leaves and capsules1 without the stalks1 are called 8bang1 subjee1 or sidhee40 ,they are used for making an intoxicating drink1 for smoking1 and in the conserve or confection termed majoon4 ,bang is cheaper than gunjah1 and1 though less powerful1 is sold at such a low price that for less than a half-penny enough can be purchased to intoxicate an 8experienced0 person4 ,according to ,mr4 ,mc,cann's notes1 the gunjah consumed in ,bengal is chiefly brought from ,mirzapore and ,ghazeepore1 being extensively cultivated near ,gwalior and in ,tirhoot4 ,the natives cut the plant when in flower1 allow it to dry for three days1 and then lay it in bundles averaging two pounds weight each1 which are distributed to the licensed dealers4 ,the best kinds are brought from ,gwalior and ,bhurtpore1 and it is also cultivated1 of good quality1 in a few gardens round ,calcutta4 ,in ,jessore1 ,i am informed1 the drug is produced of excellent quality and to a very considerable extent of cultivation4 ,in ,central ,india1 and the ,saugor territory1 and in ,nipal1 churrus is collected during the hot season in the following singular manner3--,men clad in leathern dresses run through the hemp fields1 brushing through the plant with all possible violence2 the soft resin adheres to the leather1 and is subsequently scraped off and kneaded into balls1 which sell from #ajs4 to #abs4 for #b lbs4 ,a still finer kind1 the momeea or waxen churrus1 is collected by the hand in ,nipal and sells for nearly double the price of the ordinary kind4 ,in ,nipal1 ,dr4 ,mc,kinnon informs me1 the leathern attire is dispensed with1 and the resin is gathered on the skins of naked coolies4 ,in ,persia1 it is stated by ,mirza ,abdul ,razes that the churrus is prepared by pressing the resinous plant on coarse cloths1 and then scraping it from these and melting it in a pot with a little warm water4 ,he considers the churrus of ,herat as the best and most powerful of all the varieties of the drug4 ,popular ,uses4 ,the preparations of hemp are used for the purpose of intoxication as follows3-- ,sidhee1 subjee1 and bang 7synonymous7 are used with water as a drink1 which is thus prepared4 ,about three tola weight1 #edj troy grains1 are well washed with cold water1 then dried and rubbed to powder1 mixed with black pepper1 cucumber and melon seeds1 sugar1 half a pint of milk1 and an equal quantity of water4 ,this is considered sufficient to intoxicate an habituated person4 ,half the quantity is enough for a novice4 ,this composition is chiefly used by the ,mahomedans of the better class4 ,another recipe is as follows3-- ,the same quantity of sidhee is washed1 dried1 and ground1 mixed with black pepper1 and a quart of cold water added4 ,this is drank at one sitting4 ,this is the favorite beverage of the ,hindus who practice this vice1 especially the ,birjobassies and many of the ,rajpootana soldiery4 ,from either of these beverages intoxication will ensue in half an hour4 ,almost invariably the inebriation is of the most cheerful kind1 causing the person to sing and dance1 to eat food with great relish1 and to seek aphrodisiac enjoyments4 ,in persons of a quarrelsome disposition it occasions1 as might be expected1 an exasperation of their natural tendency4 ,the intoxication lasts about three hours1 when sleep supervenes4 ,no nausea or sickness of the stomach succeeds1 nor are the bowels at all affected2 next day there is slight giddiness and much vascularity of the eyes1 but no other symptom worth recording4 ,gunjah is used for smoking only3 one rupee weight1 #ahj grains1 and a little dried tobacco are rubbed together in the palm of the hand with a few drops of water4 ,this suffices for three persons4 ,a little tobacco is placed in the pipe first1 then a layer of the prepared gunjah1 then more tobacco1 and the fire above all4 ,four or five persons usually join in this debauch4 ,the hookah is passed round1 and each person takes a single draught4 ,intoxication ensues almost instantly2 and from one draught to the unaccustomed1 within half an hour2 and after four or five inspirations to those more practised in the vice4 ,the effects differ from those occasioned by the sidhee4 ,heaviness1 laziness1 and agreeable reveries ensue1 but the person can be readily roused1 and is able to discharge routine occupations1 such as pulling the punkah1 waiting at table1 c4 ,the majoon1 or hemp confection1 is a compound of sugar1 butter1 flour1 milk1 and sidhee or bang4 ,the process has been repeatedly performed before me by ,ameer1 the proprietor of a celebrated place of resort for hemp devotees in ,calcutta1 and who is considered the best artist in his profession4 ,four ounces of sidhee and an equal quantity of ghee 7clarified butter7 are placed in an earthen or well-tinned vessel1 a pint of water added1 and the whole warmed over a charcoal fire4 ,the mixture is constantly stirred until the water all boils away1 which is known by the crackling noise of the melted butter on the sides of the vessel2 the mixture is then removed from the fire1 squeezed through cloth while hot--by which an oleaginous solution of the active principles and coloring matter of the hemp is obtained--and the leaves1 fibres1 c41 remaining on the cloth are thrown away4 ,the green oily solution soon concretes into a buttery mass1 and is then well washed by the hand with soft water so long as the water becomes colored4 ,the coloring matter and an extractive substance are thus removed1 and a very pale green mass1 of the consistence of simple ointment1 remains4 ,the washings are thrown away2 ,ameer says that these are intoxicating1 and produce constriction of the throat1 great pain1 and very disagreeable and dangerous symptoms4 ,the operator then takes two pounds of sugar1 and1 adding a little water1 places it in a pipkin over the fire4 ,when the sugar dissolves and froths1 two ounces of milk are added2 a thick scum rises and is removed2 more milk and a little water are added from time to time1 and the boiling continued about an hour1 the solution being carefully stirred until it becomes an adhesive clear syrup1 ready to solidify on a cold surface2 four ounces of tyre 7new milk dried before the sun7 in fine powder are now stirred in1 and1 lastly1 the prepared butter of hemp is introduced1 brisk stirring being continued for a few minutes4 ,a few drops of uttur of roses are then quickly sprinkled in1 and the mixture poured from the pipkin on a flat cold dish or slab4 ,the mass concretes immediately into a thin cake1 which is divided into small lozenge-shaped pieces4 ,thus prepared it sells for #hs4 the #b lbs2 one drachm1 by weight1 will intoxicate a beginner2 three drachms one experienced in its use4 ,the taste is sweet1 and the odor very agreeable4 ,ameer states that there are seven or eight majoon makers in ,calcutta2 that sometimes1 by special order of customers1 he introduces stramonium seeds1 but never nux vomica2 that all classes of persons1 including the lower ,portuguese or 8,kala ,feringhees10 and especially their females1 consume the drug2 that it is most fascinating in its effects1 producing extatic happiness1 a persuasion of high rank1 a sensation of flying1 voracious appetite1 and intense aphrodisiac desire4 ,he denies that its continued use leads to madness1 impotence1 or to the numerous evil consequences described by the ,arabic and ,persian physicians4 ,although ,i disbelieve ,ameer's statements on this point1 his description of the immediate effects of majoon is strictly and accurately correct4 ,most carnivorous animals eat it greedily1 and very soon experience its narcotic effects1 becoming ludicrously drunk1 but seldom suffering any worse consequences4 ,historical ,details--,notices of ,hemp and its ,uses1 by the ,sanscrit1 ,arabic1 and ,persian ,writers4 ,the preceding notice suffices to explain the subsequent historical and medicinal details4 ,i premise the historical1 in order to show the exact state of our knowledge of the subject1 when ,i attempted its investigation4 ,although the most eminent of the ,arabic and ,persian authors concur in referring the origin of the practice of hemp intoxication to the natives of ,hindostan1 it is remarkable that few traces can be detected of the prevalence of the vice at any early period in ,india4 ,the ,pandit ,moodoosudun ,gooptu finds that the 8,rajniguntu10 a standard treatise on materia medica1 which he estimates vaguely at #fjj years date1 gives a clear account of this agent4 ,its synonymes are 8bijoya10 8ujoya10 and 8joya10 names which mean promoters of success2 8brijputta10 or the strengthener1 or the strong-leaved2 8chapola10 the causer of a reeling gait2 8ununda10 or the laughter-moving2 8hursini10 the exciter of sexual desire4 ,its effects on man are described as excitant1 heating1 astringent4 ,it is added that it 8destroys phlegm1 expels flatulence1 induces costiveness1 sharpens the memory1 increases eloquence1 excites the appetite1 and acts as a general tonic40 ,the 8,rajbulubha10 a ,sanscrit treatise of rather later date1 alludes to the use of hemp in gonorrha1 and repeats the statements of the 8,rajniguntu40 ,in the ,hindu ,tantra1 a religious treatise1 teaching peculiar and mystical formul and rites for the worship of the deities1 it is said1 moreover1 that sidhee is more intoxicating than wine4 ,in the celebrated 8,susruta10 which is perhaps the most ancient of all ,hindu medical works1 it is written1 that persons laboring under catarrh should1 with other remedies1 use internally the bijoya or sidhee4 ,the effects1 however1 are not described4 ,the learned ,kamalakantha ,vidyalanka has traced a notice of hemp in the #eth chapter of ,menu1 where ,brahmins are prohibited to use the following substances--palandoo or onions1 gunjara or gunjah1 and such condiments as have strong and pungent scents4 ,the ,arabic and ,persian writers are1 however1 far more voluminous and precise in their accounts of these fascinating preparations4 ,in the #ast vol4 of ,de ,sacy's 8,crestomathie ,arabe0 we find an extremely interesting summary of the writings of ,takim ,eddin ,makrizi on this subject4 ,lane has noticed it too with his usual ability in his admirable work1 8the ,modern ,egyptians40 ,from these two sources1 the ,,ms4 notes of the ,syed ,keramut ,ali and ,mr4 ,da,costa1 and a curious paper communicated by our friend ,mirza ,abdul ,razes1 a most intelligent ,persian physician1 the following epitome is compiled3-- ,makrizi treats of the hemp in his glowing description of the celebrated ,canton de la ,timbaliere1 the ancient pleasure grounds1 in the vicinity of ,cairo4 ,this quarter1 after many vicissitudes1 is now a heap of ruins4 ,in it was situated a cultivated valley named ,djoneina1 which we are informed was the theatre of all conceivable abominations4 ,it was famous above all for the sale of the hasheeha1 which is still greedily consumed by the dregs of the populace1 and from the consumption of which sprung the excesses which led to the name of 8assassin0 being given to the ,saracens in the ,holy ,wars4 ,the history of the drug the author treats of thus3--,the oldest work in which hemp is noticed is a treatise by ,hasan1 who states that in the year #feh1 ,m4 ,e4 the ,sheikh ,djafar ,shirazi1 a monk of the order of ,haider1 learned from his master the history of the discovery of hemp4 ,haider1 the chief of ascetics and self-chasteners1 lived in rigid privation on a mountain between ,nishabor and ,ramah1 where he established a monastery of ,fakirs4 ,ten years he had spent in this retreat without leaving it for a moment1 till one burning summer's day when he departed alone to the fields4 ,on his return an air of joy and gaiety was imprinted on his countenance2 he received the visits of his brethren and encouraged their conversation4 ,on being questioned1 he stated that1 struck by the aspect of a plant which danced in the heat as if with joy1 while all the rest of the vegetable creation was torpid1 he had gathered and eaten of its leaves4 ,he led his companions to the spot1--all ate and all were similarly excited4 ,a tincture of the hemp leaf in wine or spirit seems to have been the favourite formula in which the ,sheikh ,haider indulged himself4 ,an ,arab poet sings of ,haider's emerald cup--an evident allusion to the rich green colour of the tincture of the drug4 ,the ,sheikh survived the discovery ten years1 and subsisted chiefly on this herb1 and on his death his disciples by his desire planted it in an arbour about his tomb4 ,from this saintly sepulchre the knowledge of the effects of hemp is stated to have spread into ,khorasan4 ,in ,chaldea it was unknown until #gbh ,m4 ,e4 during the reign of the ,khalif ,mostansir ,billah2 the kings of ,ormus and ,bahrein then introduced it into ,chaldea1 ,syria1 ,egypt1 and ,turkey4 ,in ,khorasan1 however1 it seems that the date of the use of hemp is considered to be far prior to ,haider's era4 ,biraslan1 an ,indian pilgrim1 the contemporary of ,cosres1#b is believed to have introduced and diffused the custom through ,khorasan and ,yemen4 ,in proof of the great antiquity of the practice1 certain passages in the works of ,hippocrates may be cited1 in which some of its properties are clearly described1 but the difficulty of deciding whether the passages be spurious or genuine1 renders the fact of little value4 ,dioscorides 7lib4 ij4 cap4 #afi71 describes hemp1 but merely notices the emollient properties of its seeds2 its intoxicating effects must consequently be regarded as unknown to the ,greeks prior to his era1 which is generally agreed to be about the second century of the ,christian epoch1 and somewhat subsequent to the life-time of ,pliny4 ,in the narrative of ,makrizi we also learn that oxymel and acids are the most powerful antidotes to the effects of this narcotic2 next to these1 emetics1 cold bathing1 and sleep2 and we are further told that it possesses diuretic1 astringent1 and especially aphrodisiac properties4 ,ibn ,beitar was the first to record its tendency to produce mental derangement1 and he even states that it occasionally proves fatal4 ,in #ghj ,m4 ,e4 very severe ordinances were passed in ,egypt against the practice2 the ,djoneina garden was rooted up1 and all those convicted of the use of the drug were subjected to the extraction of their teeth2 but in #gii the custom re-established itself with more than original vigor4 ,makrizi draws an expressive picture of the evils this vice then inflicted on its votaries--8,as its consequence1 general corruption of sentiments and manners ensued1 modesty disappeared1 every base and evil passion was openly indulged in1 and nobility of external form alone remained to these infatuated beings40 ,medicinal ,properties assigned to ,hemp by the ,ancient ,arabian and ,persian ,writers1 and by ,modern ,european ,authors4 ,in the preceding notice of ,makrizi's writings on this subject1 we have confined ourselves chiefly to historical details1 excluding descriptions of supposed medicinal effects4 ,the ,mukzun-ul-,udwieh and the ,persian ,,ms4 in our possession1 inform us as to the properties which the ancient physicians attributed to this powerful narcotic4 ,in ,mr4 ,da,costa's ,,ms4 version of the chapter on hemp in the ,mukzun-ul-,udwieh1 churrus1 we are informed1 if smoked through a pipe1 causes torpor and intoxication1 and often proves fatal to the smoker4 ,three kinds are noticed1 the garden1 wild1 and mountain1 of which the last is deemed the strongest2 the seeds are called sheadana or shaldaneh in ,persia4 ,these are said to be 8a compound of opposite qualities1 cold and dry in the third degree--that is to say1 stimulant and sedative1 imparting at first a gentle reviving heat1 and then a considerable refrigerant effect40 ,the contrary qualities of the plant1 its stimulant and sedative effects1 are prominently dwelt on4 8,they at first exhilarate the spirits1 cause cheerfulness1 give color to the complexion1 bring on intoxication1 excite the imagination into the most rapturous ideas1 produce thirst1 increase appetite1 excite concupiscence4 ,afterwards the sedative effects begin to preside1 the spirits sink1 the vision darkens and weakens2 and madness1 melancholy1 fearfulness1 dropsy1 and such like distempers1 are the sequel--and the seminal secretions dry up4 ,these effects are increased by sweets1 and combated by acids40 ,the author of the ,mukzun-ul-,udwieh further informs us-- 8,the leaves make a good snuff for deterging the brain2 the juice of the leaves applied to the head as a wash1 removes dandriff and vermin2 drops of the juice thrown into the ear allay pain and destroy worms or insects4 ,it checks diarrha1 is useful in gonorrha1 restrains seminal secretions1 and is diuretic4 ,the bark has a similar effect40 8,the powder is recommended as an external application to fresh wounds and sores1 and for causing granulations2 a poultice of the boiled root and leaves for discussing inflammations1 and cure of erysipelas1 and for allaying neuralgic pains4 ,the dried leaves1 bruised and spread on a castor oil leaf1 cure hydrocele and swelled testes4 ,the dose internally is one direm1 or forty-eight grains4 ,the antidotes are emetics1 cow's milk1 hot water1 and sorrel wine40 ,alluding to its popular uses1 the author dwells on the eventual evil consequences of the indulgence2 weakness of the digestive organs first ensues1 followed by flatulency1 indigestion1 swelling of the limbs and face1 change of complexion1 diminution of sexual vigor1 loss of teeth1 heaviness1 cowardice1 depraved and wicked ideas2 scepticism in religious tenets1 licentiousness1 and ungodliness are also enumerated in the catalogue of deplorable results4 ,the medicinal properties of hemp1 in various forms1 are the subject of some interesting notes by ,mirza ,abdul ,razes4 8,it produces a ravenous appetite and constipation1 arrests the secretions except that of the liver1 excites wild imagining1 especially a sensation of ascending1 forgetfulness of all that happens during its use1 and such mental exultation1 that the beholders attribute it to supernatural inspiration40 ,mirza ,abdul considers hemp to be a powerful exciter of the flow of bile1 and relates cases of its efficacy in restoring appetite--of its utility as an external application as a poultice with milk1 in relieving hmorrhoids1 and internally in gonorrha4 ,a quarter of a drachm of bangh is given in water as the dose in gonorrha4 ,he states1 also1 that the habitual smokers of gunjah generally die of diseases of the lungs1 dropsy1 and anasarca1 8so do the eaters of majoon and smokers of sidhee1 but at a later period4 ,the inexperienced on first taking it are often senseless for a day1 some go mad1 others are known to die40 ,in the #ceth chapter of the #eth volume of 8,rumphius' ,herbarium ,amboinense10 p4 #bjh1 ,ed4 ,amsterd4 ,a4,d4 #afie1 we find a long and very good account of the hemp1 illustrated by two excellent plates4 ,the subjoined is an epitome of ,rumphius' article3-- ,rumphius first describes botanically the male and female hemp plants1 of which he gives two admirable drawings4 ,he assigns the upper provinces of ,india as its habitat1 and states it to be cultivated in ,java and ,amboyna4 ,he then notices very briefly the exciting effects ascribed to the leaf1 and to mixtures thereof with spices1 camphor1 and opium4 ,he alludes doubtingly to its alleged aphrodisiac powers1 and states that the kind of mental excitement it produces depends on the temperament of the consumer4 ,he quotes a passage from ,galen1 lib4 i4 7de aliment4 facult471 in which it is asserted that in that great writer's time it was customary to give hemp seed to the guests at banquets as a promoter of hilarity and enjoyment4 ,rumphius adds1 that the ,mahomedns in his neighbourhood frequently sought for the male plant from his garden1 to be given to persons afflicted with virulent gonorrha and with asthma1 or the affection which is popularly called 8stitches in the side40 ,he tells us1 moreover1 that the powdered leaves check diarrha1 are stomachic1 cure the malady named pitao1 and moderate excessive secretion of bile4 ,he mentions the use of hemp smoke as an enema in strangulated hernia1 and of the leaves as an antidote to poisoning by orpiment4 ,lastly1 he notices in the two subsequent chapters varieties of hemp1 which he terms the gunjah sativa and gunjah agrestis4 ,in the ,hortus ,malabaricus1 ,rheede's article on the hemp is a mere echo of ,rumphius' statements4 ,among modern ,european writers the only information ,i could trace on the medicinal use of hemp in ,europe1 is in the recent work of ,nees v4 ,esenbeck1 from which the following is an extract kindly supplied by ,dr4 ,wallich3-- 8,the fresh herb of the hemp has a very powerful and unpleasant narcotic smell1 and is used in the ,east in combination with opium in the preparation of intoxicating potions1 c4 ,it is probable that the nepenthe of the ancients was prepared from the leaves of this plant4 ,many physicians1 ,hahnemann among them1 prescribe the vinous extract in various nervous disorders1 where opium and hyoscyamus used to be employed1 being less heating and devoid of bitterness40#c ,no information as to the medicinal effects of hemp exists in the standard works on materia medica1 to which ,i have access4 ,soubeiran1 ,fe1 ,merat and de ,lens1 in their admirable dictionary2 ,chevalier and ,richard1 ,roques 7,phytographie ,medicale72 ,ratier and ,henry 7,pharmacope ,franaise72 and the ,dictionnaire des ,sciences ,medicales1 are all equally silent on the subject4 ,in 8,ainslie's ,materia ,indica10 #bnd vol41 we find three notices of this plant and its preparations4 ,at page #ci 8banghie0 7,tamul71 with the ,persian and ,hindee synonymes of 8beng0 and 8subjee10 is described as an intoxicating liquor prepared with the leaves of the gunjah or hemp plant4 ,under the head 8gunjah10 ,ainslie gives numerous synonymes1 and tells us that the leaves are sometimes prescribed in cases of diarrha2 and in conjunction with turmeric1 onions1 and warm gingilie oil1 are made into an unction for painful protruded piles4 ,dr4 ,ainslie also gives a brief view of the popular uses and botanical characters of the plant4 ,majoon1 lastly1 is described by ,dr4 ,ainslie1 page #agf1 as a preparation of sugar1 milk1 ghee1 poppy seeds1 flowers of the datura1 powder of nux vomica1 and sugar4 ,the true majoon1 however1 as prepared in ,bengal1 contains neither datura nor nux vomica4 ,i have already described the process by which it has been manufactured before me4 ,in the 8,journal de ,pharmacie10 the most complete magazine in existence on all pharmaceutical subjects1 we find hemp noticed in several volumes4 ,in the 8,bulletin de ,pharmacie10 t4 ,v4,a4 #ahaj1 p4 #djj1 we find it briefly described by ,m4 ,rouyer1 apothecary to ,napoleon1 and member of the ,egyptian scientific commission1 in a paper on the popular remedies of ,egypt4 ,with the leaves and tops1 he tells us1 collected before ripening1 the ,egyptians prepare a conserve1 which serves as the base of the berch1 the diasmouk1 and the bernaouy4 ,hemp leaves reduced to powder1 and incorporated with honey or stirred with water1 constitute the berch of the poor classes4 ,the same work also 7,bulletin1 vol4 i41 p4 #ebc1 ,a4 #ahji7 contains a very brief notice of the intoxicating preparations of hemp1 read by ,m4 ,de ,sacy before the ,institute of ,france1 in ,july1 #ahji4 ,m4 ,de ,sacy's subsequent analysis of ,makrizi1 of which ,i have given an outline1 is1 however1 much more copious in details than the article in the ,bulletin4 ,professor ,royle in his admirable work1 entitled 8,illustrations of the ,botany1 c4 of the ,himalayas10 p4 #ccd1 gives a very brief notice of the synonymes and epithets of the hemp resin1 and mentions its intoxicating properties1 but affords us no information on its medicinal effects4 ,experiments by the ,author--,inferences as to the ,action of the ,drug on ,animals and ,man4 ,such was the amount of preliminary information before me1 by which ,i was guided in my subsequent attempts to gain more accurate knowledge of the action1 powers1 and possible medicinal applications of this remarkable agent4 ,there was sufficient to show that hemp possesses1 in small doses1 an extraordinary power of stimulating the digestive organs1 exciting the cerebral system1 of acting also on the generative apparatus4 ,larger doses1 again1 were shown by the historical statements to induce insensibility or to act as a powerful sedative4 ,the influence of the drug in allaying pain was equally manifest in all the memoirs referred to4 ,as to the evil sequel so unanimously dwelt on by all writers1 these did not appear to me so numerous1 so immediate1 or so formidable1 as many which may be clearly traced to over-indulgence in other powerful stimulants or narcotics--viz1 alcohol1 opium1 or tobacco4 ,the dose in which the hemp preparations might be administered1 constituted1 of course1 one of the first objects of inquiry4 ,ibn ,beitar had mentioned a direm1 or forty-eight grains of churrus2 but this dose seemed to me so enormous1 that ,i deemed it expedient to proceed with much smaller quantities4 ,how fortunate was this caution1 the sequel will sufficiently denote4 ,an extensive series of experiments on animals was in the first place undertaken1 among which the following may be cited3-- ,expt4 #a4--,ten grains of ,nipalese churrus1 dissolved in spirit were given to a middling sized dog4 ,in half an hour he became stupid and sleepy1 dozing at intervals1 starting up1 wagging his tail as if extremely contented2 he ate some food greedily2 on being called to he staggered to and fro1 and his face assumed a look of utter and helpless drunkenness4 ,these symptoms lasted about two hours1 and then gradually passed away2 in six hours he was perfectly well and lively4 ,expt4 #b4--,one drachm of majoon was given to a small sized dog2 he ate it with great delight1 and in twenty minutes was ridiculously drunk2 in four hours his symptoms passed away1 also without harm4 ,expts4 #c1 #d1 and #e4--,three kids had ten grains each of the alcoholic extract of gunjah4 ,in one no effect was produced2 in the second there was much heaviness1 and some inability to move2 in the third a marked alteration of countenance was conspicuous1 but no further effect4 ,expt4 #f4--,twenty grains were given1 dissolved in a little spirit1 to a dog of very small size4 ,in a quarter of an hour he was intoxicated2 in half an hour he had great difficulty of movement2 in an hour he had lost all power over the hinder extremities1 which were rather stiff but flexible2 sensibility did not seem to be impaired1 and the circulation was natural4 ,he readily acknowledged calls by an attempt to rise up4 ,in four hours he was quite well4 ,in none of these or several other experiments was there the least indication of pain1 or any degree of convulsive movement observed4 ,it seems needless to dwell on the details of each experiment2 suffice it to say that they led to one remarkable result--that while carnivorous animals and fish1 dogs1 cats1 swine1 vultures1 crows1 and adjutants1 invariably exhibited the intoxicating influence of the drug1 the graminivorous1 such as the horse1#d deer1 monkey1 goat1 sheep1 and cow1 experienced but trivial effects from any dose we administered4 ,encouraged by these results1 no hesitation could be felt as to the perfect safety of giving the resin of hemp an extensive trial in the cases in which its apparent powers promised the greatest degree of utility4 ,cases of ,rheumatism treated by ,hemp4 ,catalepsy produced by one grain4 ,the first cases selected were two of acute rheumatism and one of that disease in the chronic form1 occurring among the patients in the ,clinical ,hospital of the ,medical ,college4 ,in the two former but little relief had been derived from a fair trial of antiphlogistic measures1 and of ,dover's powder with antimonials2 in the last case1 sarsaparilla at first1 and subsequently the ,hemidesmus ,indicus with warm baths had been tried without advantage4 ,on the #fth ,november1 #ahch1 one grain of the resin of hemp was administered in solution1 at two1 p4m41 to each of these three patients4 ,at four1 p4m41 it was reported that one was becoming very talkative1 was singing songs1 calling loudly for an extra supply of food1 and declaring himself in perfect health4 ,the other two patients remained unaffected4 ,at six1 p4m41 ,i received a report to the same effect1 but stating that the first patient was now falling asleep4 ,at eight1 p4m41 ,i was alarmed by an emergent note from ,nobinchunder ,mitter1 the clinical clerk on duty1 desiring my immediate attendance at the hospital1 as the patient's symptoms were very peculiar and formidable4 ,i went to the hospital without delay1 and found him lying on his cot quite insensible1 but breathing with perfect regularity1 his pulse and skin natural1 and the pupils freely contractile on the approach of light4 ,alarmed and pained beyond description at such a state of things1 ,i hurried to the other patients--found one asleep1 the third awake1 intelligent1 and free from any symptoms of intoxication or alarm4 ,returning then to the first1 an emetic was directed to be prepared1 and while waiting for it ,i chanced to lift up the patient's arm4 ,the professional reader will judge of my astonishment1 when ,i found that it remained in the posture in which ,i placed it4 ,it required but a very brief examination of the limbs to find that the patient had by the influence of this narcotic been thrown into that strange and most extraordinary of all nervous conditions1 into that state which so few have seen1 and the existence of which so many still discredit--the genuine catalepsy of the nosologist4 ,it had been my good fortune years before to have witnessed two unequivocal cases of this disorder4 ,one occurred in the female clinical ward in ,edinburgh1 under ,dr4 ,duncan's treatment1 and was reported by myself for the 8,lancet10 in #ahbh4 ,the second took place in #ahca1 in a family with whom ,i resided in ,london4 ,this case was witnessed by ,dr4 ,silver1 ,mr4 ,g4 ,mills1 and several other professional friends4 ,in both these cases the cataleptic state was established in full perfection1 and in both the paroxysm terminated suddenly without any evil consequence4 ,to return to our patient2 we raised him to a sitting posture1 and placed his arms and limbs in every imaginable attitude4 ,a waxen figure could not be more pliant or more stationary in each position1 no matter how contrary to the natural influence of gravity on the part4 ,to all impressions he was meanwhile almost insensible2 he made no sign of understanding questions2 could not be aroused4 ,a sinapism to the epigastrium caused no sign of pain4 ,the pharynx and its coadjutor muscles acted freely in the deglutition of the stimulant remedies which ,i thought it advisable to administer1 although the manifest cataleptic state had freed me altogether of the anxiety under which ,i before labored4 ,the second patient had meanwhile been roused by the noise in the ward1 and seemed vastly amused at the strange aspect and the statue-like attitudes in which the first patient had been placed1 when on a sudden he uttered a loud peal of laughter1 and exclaimed that 8four spirits were springing with his bed into the air40 ,in vain we attempted to pacify him2 his laughter became momentarily more and more incontrollable4 ,we now observed that the limbs were rather rigid1 and in a few minutes more his arms or legs could be bent1 and would remain in any desired position4 ,a strong stimulant drink was immediately given1 and a sinapism applied4 ,of the latter he made no complaint1 but his intoxication led him to such noisy exclamations that we had to remove him to a separate room2 here he soon became tranquil1 his limbs in less than an hour gained their natural condition1 and in two hours he represented himself to be perfectly well and excessively hungry4 ,the first patient continued cataleptic till one1 a4m41 when consciousness and voluntary motion quickly returned1 and by two1 a4m41 he was exactly in the same state as the second patient4 ,the third man experienced no effect whatever1 and on further inquiry it was found that he was habituated to the use of gunjah in the pipe4 ,on the following day it gave me much pleasure to find that both the individuals above mentioned were not only uninjured by the narcotic1 but much relieved of their rheumatism2 they were discharged quite cured in three days after4 ,the fourth case of trial was an old muscular cooley1 a rheumatic malingerer1 and to him half a grain of hemp resin was given in a little spirit4 ,the first day's report will suffice for all3--,in two hours the old gentleman became talkative and musical1 told several stories1 and sang songs to a circle of highly delighted auditors1 ate the dinners of two persons subscribed for him in the ward1 sought also for other luxuries we can scarcely venture to allude to--and finally fell soundly asleep1 and so continued till the following morning4 ,on the noon-day visit1 he expressed himself free from headache or any other unpleasant sequel1 and begged hard for a repetition of the medicine1 in which he was indulged for a few days and then discharged4 ,in several cases of acute and chronic rheumatism admitted about this time1 half-grain doses of the resin were given1 with closely analogous effects2 alleviation of pain in most1 remarkable increase of appetite in all1 unequivocal aphrodisia1 and great mental cheerfulness4 ,in no one case did these effects proceed to delirium1 or was there any tendency to quarrelling4 ,the disposition developed was uniform in all1 and in none was headache or sickness of stomach a sequel of the excitement4 ,case of ,hydrophobia4 ,a case now occurred in which the influence of a narcotic1 capable either of cheering or of inducing harmless insensibility1 would be fraught with blessings to the wretched patient4 ,on the #bbnd ,november1 at eight1 a4m41 a note in ,english was handed to me by my servant1 entreating my assistance for the ,hakim ,abdullah1 then at my gate1 who had been bitten by a rabid dog three weeks before1 and who feared that the miserable consequences of the bite already had commenced4 ,i found the poor man in a carriage2 he was perfectly composed1 though quite convinced of the desperate nature of his case4 ,he told me that the evening before1 on passing near a tank1 he started in alarm1 and since then was unable to swallow liquid4 ,his eye was restless1 suspicious1 and wild2 his features anxious2 his pulse #abe2 his skin bedewed with cold moisture2 he stated nevertheless that he wished for food and felt well4 ,a small red and painful cicatrix existed on the left fore-arm4 ,he was immediately removed to the hospital1 where ,i accompanied him4 ,by his own desire water was brought in a metallic vessel1 which he grasped1 and brought near his lips2 never can ,i forget the indescribable horrors of the paroxysm which ensued4 ,it abated in about three minutes1 and morbid thirst still goading the unhappy man1 he besought his servant to apply a moistened cloth to his lips4 ,intelligent and brave1 he determinately awaited the contact of the cloth1 and for a few seconds1 though in appalling agony1 permitted some drops to trickle on his tongue2 but then ensued a second struggle1 which1 with a due share of the callousness of my profession1 ,i could not stand by to contemplate4 ,two grains of hemp resin in a soft pillular mass were ordered every hour2 after the third dose1 he stated that he felt commencing intoxication2 he now chatted cheerfully on his case1 and displayed great intelligence and experience in the treatment of the very disease with which he was visited4 ,he talked calmly of drinking1 but said it was in vain to try--but he could suck an orange2 this was brought to him1 and he succeeded in swallowing the juice without any difficulty4 ,the hemp was continued till the sixth dose1 when he fell asleep and had some hours' rest4 ,early the ensuing morning1 however1 ,mr4 ,siddons1 my assistant1 was called up to him1 and found him in a state of tumultuous agony and excitement2 tortured by thirst he attempted to drink2 but ,i will spare the reader the details of the horrors which ensued4 ,the hemp was again repeated2 and again1 by the third dose1 the cheering alleviation of the previous day was witnessed4 ,he ate a piece of sugar-cane1 and again swallowed the juice2 he partook freely of some moistened rice1 and permitted a purgative enema to be administered2 his pulse was nearly natural2 the skin natural in every respect2 his countenance was happy4 ,on one subject only was he incoherent1 and even here was manifested the powerful and peculiar influence of the narcotic4 ,he spoke in raptures of the ladies of his zenana1 and his anxiety to be with them4 ,we ascertained1 however1 that he had no such establishment4 ,four days thus passed away1 the doses of hemp being continued4 ,when he fell asleep1 on waking the paroxysms returned1 but were again almost immediately assuaged as at first4 ,meanwhile1 purgative enemata were employed1 and he partook freely of solid food1 and once drank water without the least suffering4 ,but about three1 p4m41 of the fifth day he sunk into a profound stupor1 the breathing slightly stertorous2 in this state he continued1 and without further struggle death terminated his sufferings at four1 a4m41 on the #bgth of ,november4 ,reviewing the preceding summary of this interesting case1 it seems evident that at least one advantage was gained from the use of the remedy--the awful malady was stripped of its horrors2 if not less fatal than before1 it was reduced to less than the scale of suffering which precedes death from most ordinary diseases4 ,it must be remembered1 too1 that in this1 the first case ever so treated1 ,i possessed no data to guide me as to the dose or manner of administration of the drug4 ,the remarkable cases of tetanus detailed in the sequel throw light on these important points1 and will lead1 in future cases1 to the unhesitating administration of much larger quantities than at first ,i ventured to employ4 ,i am not1 however1 rash enough to indulge the hope which involuntarily forces itself upon me1 that we will ever from this narcotic derive an effectual remedy for even a solitary case of this disease2 but next to cure1 the physician will perhaps esteem the means which enable him 8to strew the path to the tomb with flowers10 and to divest of its specific terrors the most dreadful malady to which mankind is exposed4 ,while the preceding case was under treatment1 and exciting the utmost interest in the school1 several pupils commenced experiments on themselves to ascertain the effects of the drug4 ,in all1 the state of the pulse was noted before taking a dose1 and subsequently the effects were observed by two pupils of much intelligence4 ,the result of several trials was1 that in as small doses as a quarter of a grain the pulse was increased in fulness and frequency2 the surface of the body glowed2 the appetite became extraordinary2 vivid ideas crowded the mind2 unusual loquacity occurred2 and1 with scarcely any exception1 great aphrodisia was experienced4 ,in one pupil1 ,dinonath ,dhur1 a retiring lad of excellent habits1 ten drops of the tincture1 equal to a quarter of a grain of the resin1 induced in twenty minutes the most amusing effects ,i ever witnessed4 ,a shout of laughter ushered in the symptoms1 and a transitory state of cataleptic rigidity occurred for two or three minutes4 ,summoned to witness the effects1 we found him enacting the part of a ,rajah giving orders to his courtiers2 he could recognise none of his fellow students or acquaintances2 all to his mind seemed as altered as his own condition2 he spoke of many years having passed since his student's days2 described his teachers and friends with a piquancy which a dramatist would envy2 detailed the adventures of an imaginary series of years1 his travels1 his attainment of wealth and power2 he entered on discussions on religious1 scientific1 and political topics1 with astonishing eloquence1 and disclosed an extent of knowledge1 reading1 and a ready apposite wit1 which those who knew him best were altogether unprepared for4 ,for three hours and upwards he maintained the character he at first assumed1 and with a degree of ease and dignity perfectly becoming his high situation4 ,a scene more interesting it would be difficult to imagine4 ,it terminated nearly as suddenly as it commenced1 and no headache1 sickness1 or other unpleasant symptom followed the innocent excess4 ,in the symptoms above described we are unavoidably led to trace a close resemblance to the effects produced by the reputed inspiration of the ,delphic oracles2 perhaps it would not be very erroneous to conclude that it was referable to the same kind of excitement4 ,use in ,cholera4 ,an epidemic cholera prevailing at this period1 two of the students administered the tincture of hemp in several cases of that disease1 and cures were daily reported by its alleged efficacy4 ,dr4 ,goodeve was thus led to try it in several cases1 and his report was in the highest degree favorable4 ,the diarrha was in every instance checked1 and the stimulating effects of the drug clearly manifested4 ,the durwan of the college1 an athletic ,rajpoot1 was attacked1 and came under my treatment after he had been ill seven hours2 he was pulseless1 cold1 and in a state of imminent danger1 the characteristic evacuations streaming from him without effort4 ,half a grain of the hemp resin was given1 and in twenty minutes the pulse returned1 the skin became warm1 the purging ceased1 and he fell asleep4 ,in an hour he was cataleptic1 and continued so for several hours4 ,in the morning he was perfectly well and at his duty as usual4 ,it is but fair to state1 however1 that the character of the epidemic was not at the time malignant4 ,i admit the cases to be inconclusive1 but ,i conceive them to be promising1 and that they deserve the due attention of the practitioner4 ,since this passage was written in #ahch1 the tincture of hemp has been used in a great number of cases1 both ,european and native1 in the hospital of the ,medical ,college4 ,i know no remedy equal to it as a general and steady stimulant when given to ,europeans in half drachm doses during the tractable stage of this disease4 ,i have known the pulse and heat return and the purging checked by a single dose4 ,it allays vomiting much more certainly than the opium preparations1 and is not more likely than these to lead to cerebral congestion on the cessation of cholera symptoms4 ,the cheering effect on the patient's spirits is not the least benefit this remedy confers4 ,in native cases much less advantage was obtained2 nearly all this class of patients were old gunjah smokers4 ,use in ,tetanus4 ,i now proceed to notice a class of most important cases1 in which the results obtained are of the character which warrants me in regarding the powers of the remedy as satisfactorily and incontrovertibly established4 ,i allude to its use in the treatment of traumatic tetanus1 or lock-jaw1 next to hydrophobia1 perhaps the most intractable and agonising of the whole catalogue of human maladies4 ,the first case of this disease treated by hemp was that of ,ramjan ,khan1 aged thirty1 admitted to the ,college ,hospital1 on the #acth of ,december1 #ahch1 for a sloughing ulcer on the back of the left hand4 ,five days previously a native empiric had applied a red hot gool 7the mixture of charcoal and tobacco used in the hookah7 to the back of the left wrist1 as a remedy for chronic dysentery and spleen4 ,the patient's brother was similarly cauterised on the same day4 ,in both sloughing took place down to the tendons4 ,symptoms of tetanus occurred on the #bdth of ,december4 ,the brother1 who had refused to avail himself of ,european aid1 had been seized with tetanus at his own home four days previously1 and died after three days' illness4 ,on the #bfth ,december spasms set in1 and recurred at intervals of a few minutes2 the muscles of the abdomen1 neck1 and jaws became firmly and permanently contracted4 ,large doses of opium with calomel having been administered for some hours1 without the least alleviation of symptoms1 and his case having on consultation been pronounced completely hopeless1 ,i obtained ,mr4 ,egerton's permission to subject the poor man to the trial of the hemp resin4 ,two grains were first given at half past two1 p4m41 dissolved in a little spirit4 ,in half an hour the patient felt giddy2 at five1 p4m41 his eyes were closed1 he felt sleepy1 and expressed himself much intoxicated4 ,he slept at intervals during the night1 but on waking had convulsive attacks4 ,on the #bgth1 two grains were given every third hour 7a purgative enema was also administered1 which operated three times72 the stiffness of the muscles became much less towards evening1 but the spasms returned at intervals as before2 pulse and skin natural4 #bh4 ,improved2 is lethargic but intelligent2 spasms occasionally occur1 but at much longer intervals1 and in less severity4 #bi4 ,dose of hemp increased to three grains every second hour4 ,symptoms moderating4 #cj4 ,much intoxicated2 continues to improve4 ,january #a1 #ahci4 ,a hemp cataplasm applied to the ulcer1 and internal use of remedy continued4 ,towards evening was much improved2 spasms trivial2 no permanent rigidity2 had passed two dysenteric stools4 #b4 ,morning report3 ,had passed a good night1 and seems much better4 ,evening report3 ,doing remarkably well4 #c1 #d1 and #e4 ,continues to improve4 ,hemp resin in two grain doses every fifth hour4 #f4 ,five1 p4m4--,feverish2 skin hot2 pulse quick2 all tetanic symptoms gone2 passing mucous and bloody stools4 ,leeches to abdomen2 a starch and opium enema with three grains of acetate of lead every second hour2 tepid sponging to the body2 hemp omitted4 #g4 ,six1 a4m4--,still feverish2 stools frequent1 mucous2 abdomen tender on pressure2 no appetite2 the ulcer sloughy1 ragged1 and offensive4 ,opium and acetate of lead continued2 abdomen leeched2 sore dressed with water4 ,at noon there was slight rigidity of abdominal muscles4 ,hemp resumed4 ,at three1 p4m41 became intoxicated and hungry2 ulcer extremely dry1 foul1 and abominably ftid2 towards evening rigidity ceased4 ,hemp discontinued4 ,from this day the tetanus may be considered to have ceased altogether1 but the dysenteric symptoms continued1 despite of the use of opium and acetate of lead2 the ulcer1 too1 proved utterly intractable4 ,some improvement in the dysenteric symptoms occurred from the #ajth to the #aeth1 when natural stools were passed4 ,he seemed gaining strength1 but the wound was in no wise improved2 the slough1 on the contrary1 threatened to spread1 and two metacarpal bones lay loose in the centre of the sore2 on consultation it was agreed to amputate the arm1 but to this the patient peremptorily objected4 ,the mortification now spread rapidly1 and1 to our infinite regret1 he died of exhaustion on the night of the #bcrd of ,january4 ,an unprejudiced review of the preceding details exhibits the sedative powers of the remedy in the most favorable light2 and1 although the patient died1 it must be remembered that it was of a different disease1 over which it is not presumed that the hemp possesses the least power4 ,the second case was that of ,chunoo ,syce 7treated by ,mr4 ,o',brien1 at the ,native ,hospital71 in whom tetanus supervened on the #aath of ,december1 after an injury from the kick of a horse4 ,after an ineffectual trial of turpentine and castor oil in large doses1 two grain doses of hemp resin were given on the #afth of ,december4 ,he consumed in all #acd grains of the resin1 and left the hospital cured on the #bhth of ,december4 ,third case4--,huroo1 a female1 aged twenty-five1 admitted to the ,native ,hospital on the #afth of ,december2 had tetanus for the three previous days1 the sequel of a cut on the left elbow received a fortnight before4 ,symptoms violent on admission4 ,turpentine and castor oil given repeatedly without effect2 on the #afth and #agth1 three grains of hemp resin were given at bed-time4 ,on the morning of the #ahth she was found in a state of complete catalepsy1 and remained so until evening1 when she became sensible1 and a tetanic paroxysm recurred4 ,hemp resumed1 and continued in two grain doses every fourth hour4 ,she subsequently took a grain twice daily till the #hth of ,february1 when she left the hospital apparently quite well4 ,mr4 ,o',brien has since used the hemp resin in five cases1 of which four were admitted in a perfectly hopeless state4 ,he employed the remedy in ten grain doses dissolved in spirit4 ,the effect he describes as almost immediate relaxation of the muscles and interruption of the convulsive tendency4 ,of ,mr4 ,o',brien's seven cases four have recovered4 ,in the ,police ,hospital of ,calcutta1 the late ,dr4 ,bain has used the remedy in three cases of traumatic tetanus1 of these one has died and two recovered4 ,a very remarkable case has recently occurred in the practice of my cousin1 ,mr4 ,richard ,o',shaughnessy4 ,the patient was a ,jew1 aged thirty1 attacked with tetanus during the progress of a sloughing sore of the scrotum1 the sequel of a neglected hydrocele4 ,three grain doses were used every second hour with the effect of inducing intoxication and suspending the symptoms4 ,the patient has recovered perfectly1 and now enjoys excellent health4 ,beside the preceding cases ,i have heard of two of puerperal trismus treated in native females4 ,both terminated fatally1 an event which cannot discredit the remedy1 when it is remembered that the ,hindoo native females of all ranks are placed1 during and subsequent to their confinement1 in a cell1 within which large logs of wood are kept constantly ignited4 ,the temperature of these dens ,i have found to exceed #abj of ,fahrenheit's scale4 ,a curious coincidental proof of the value of hemp in these cases has very recently come to my notice4 ,in the appendix to ,sir ,james ,murray's 8,medical ,essays10 p4 #af1 dated ,dublin #ahcg1 occurs the following passage3--8,having written the substance of these pages 7,sir ,james's work7 to my brother1 then assistant-surgeon of the #fjth ,rifles1 at the ,cape of ,good ,hope1 he mentioned that a plant called dyka1 or wild hemp1 which grows on the eastern coast of ,africa1 is used by the natives for this purpose 7the relief of puerperal convulsions71 and that they all1 male and female1 smoke it to bring on perfect relaxation and relief from pain and spasm of any kind during its relaxing influence40 ,the preceding facts are offered to the professional reader with unfeigned diffidence as to the inferences ,i feel disposed to derive from their consideration4 ,to me they seem unequivocally to show that when given boldly and in large doses the resin of hemp is capable of arresting effectually the progress of this formidable disease1 and in a large proportion of cases of effecting a perfect cure4 ,the facts are such at least as justify the hope that the virtues of the drug may be widely and severely tested in the multitudes of these appalling cases which present themselves in all ,indian hospitals4 ,messrs4 ,hughes and ,templar1 eminent veterinary surgeons of ,calcutta1 have used the hemp resin in five cases of horses suffering from tetanus2 of these three have recovered4 ,dr4 ,sawyers1 of the medical board1 has cured a pony similarly affected4 ,drs4 ,esdaile and ,macrae have used the hemp with success2 the former in a case of tetanus2 the latter in one of convulsions from neuralgia of the testis1 which had resisted every other remedy1 and for which the removal of the organ had been decided on4 ,in the 8,london ,medical ,gazette0 ,mr4 ,lewis gives a case of tetanus in which the hemp was used with great relief to the symptoms1 although it did not effect a cure4 ,case of ,infantile ,convulsions4 ,a very interesting case of this disease has recently occurred in my private practice1 the particulars of which ,i have the permission of the family to insert in this paper4 ,a female infant1 forty days old1 the child of ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,j4 ,l41 of ,calcutta1 on the #ajth of ,september had a slight attack of convulsions1 which recurred chiefly at night for about a fortnight1 and for which the usual purgatives--warm baths and a few doses of calomel and chalk--were given without effect4 ,on the #bcrd the convulsive paroxysms became very severe1 and the bowels being but little deranged two leeches were applied to the head4 ,leeches1 purgatives1 and opiates1 were alternately resorted to1 and without the slightest benefit1 up to the #cjth of ,september4 ,on that day the attacks were almost unceasing1 and amounted to regular tetanic paroxysms4 ,the child had1 moreover1 completely lost appetite and was emaciating rapidly4#e ,i had by this time exhausted all the usual methods of treatment1 and the child was apparently in a sinking state4 ,under these circumstances ,i stated to the parents the results of the experiments ,i had made with the hemp1 and my conviction that it would relieve their infant if relief could possibly be obtained4 ,they gladly consented to the trial1 and a single drop of the spirituous tincture1 equal to the one-twentieth part of a grain of extract1 was placed on the child's tongue at ten1 p4m4 ,no immediate effect was perceptible1 and in an hour and a half two drops more were given4 ,the infant fell asleep in a few minutes1 and slept soundly till four1 p4m41 when she awoke1 screamed for food1 took the breast freely1 and fell asleep again4 ,at nine1 a4m41 #ast of ,october1 ,i found the child fast asleep1 but easily roused2 the pulse1 countenance1 and skin perfectly natural4 ,in this drowsy state she continued for four days totally free from convulsive symptoms in any form4 ,during this time the bowels were frequently spontaneously relieved1 and the appetite returned to the natural degree4 ,october #d4 ,at one1 a4m41 convulsions returned and continued at intervals during the day2 five drop doses of the tincture were given hourly4 ,up to midnight there were thirty fits1 and forty-four drops of the tincture of hemp were ineffectually given4 #e4 ,paroxysms continued during the night4 ,at eleven1 a4m41 it was found that the tincture in use during the preceding days had been kept by the servant in a small bottle with a paper stopper2 that the spirit had evaporated and the whole of the resin had settled on the sides of the phial4 ,the infant had in fact been taking drops of mere water during the preceding day4 ,a new preparation was given in three drop doses during the #eth and #fth1 and increased to eight drops with the effect of diminishing the violence1 though not of preventing the return of the paroxysm4 ,on the #gth ,i met ,dr4 ,nicholson in consultation1 and despairing of a cure from the hemp1 it was agreed to intermit its use1 to apply a mustard poultice to the epigastrium1 and to give a dose of castor oil and turpentine4 ,the child1 however1 rapidly became worse1 and at two1 p4m41 a tetanic spasm set in1 which lasted without intermission till half-past six1 p4m4 ,a cold bath was tried without solution of the spasm2 the hemp was1 therefore1 again resorted to1 and a dose of thirty drops1 equal to one and a half grains of the resin1 given at once4 ,immediately after this dose was given the limbs relaxed1 the little patient fell fast asleep1 and so continued for thirteen hours4 ,while asleep1 she was evidently under the peculiar influence of the drug4 ,on the #hth ,october1 at four1 a4m41 there was a severe fit1 and from this hour to ten at night twenty-five fits occurred1 and #acj drops of the tincture were given in thirty drop doses4 ,it was now manifestly a struggle between the disease and the remedy2 but at ten1 p4m41 she was again narcotised1 and from that hour no fit returned4 ,on the three following days there was considerable griping1 and on administering large doses of almond oil several small dark green lumps of hemp resin were voided1 which gave effectual relief4 ,the child is now 7,december #ag7 in the enjoyment of robust health1 and has regained her natural plump and happy appearance4 ,in reviewing this case several very remarkable circumstances present themselves4 ,at first we find three drops1 or three-twentieths of a grain1 causing profound narcotism1 subsequently we find #acj drops daily required to produce the same effect4 ,the severity of the symptoms doubtless must be taken chiefly into account in endeavouring to explain this circumstance4 ,it was too soon for habit to gain ascendency over the narcotic powers of the drug4 ,should the disease ever recur1 it will be a matter of much interest to notice the quantity of the tincture requisite to afford relief4 ,the reader will remember that this infant was but sixty days old when #acj drops were given in one day1 of the same preparation of which ten drops had intoxicated the student ,dinonath ,dhur1 who took the drug for experiment4 ,use in ,delirium ,tremens4 ,i have given the tincture of hemp an extensive trial in this disease1 and have had much reason to be gratified with its effects4 ,in action it resembles opium and wine1 but is much more certain than these remedies4 ,i have no hesitation in saying1 that in the cases in which the opium treatment is applicable1 hemp will be found far more effectual4 ,the changed state of mind it produces is truly wonderful4 ,from the appalling terror which generally predominates1 the patient soon passes into a state of cheerfulness1 often of boisterous mirth1 and soon sinks into a happy sleep4 ,of course there are many cases in which this1 or any other1 narcotic should not be employed4 ,delirium occasioned by continued ,hemp ,inebriation4 ,before quitting this subject1 it is desirable to notice the singular form of delirium which the incautious use of the hemp preparations often occasions1 especially among young men who try it for the first time4 ,several such cases have presented themselves to my notice4 ,they are as peculiar as the 8delirium tremens0 which succeeds the prolonged abuse of spirituous liquors1 but are quite distinct from any other species of delirium with which ,i am acquainted4 ,this state is at once recognised by the strange balancing gait of the patient1 a constant rubbing of the hands1 perpetual giggling1 and a propensity to caress and chafe the feet of all bystanders of whatever rank4 ,the eye wears an expression of cunning and merriment which can scarcely be mistaken4 ,in a few cases1 the patients are violent2 in many1 highly aphrodisiac2 in all that ,i have seen1 voraciously hungry4 ,there is no increased heat or frequency of circulation1 or any appearance of inflammation or congestion1 and the skin and general functions are in a natural state4 ,a blister to the nape of the neck1 leeches to the temples1 and nauseating doses of tartar emetic with saline purgatives have rapidly dispelled the symptoms in all the cases ,i have met with1 and have restored the patient to perfect health4 ,conclusion4 ,the preceding cases constitute an abstract of my experience on this subject1 and constitute the grounds of my belief that in hemp the profession has gained an anti-convulsive remedy of the greatest value4 ,entertaining this conviction1 be it true or false1 ,i deem it my duty to publish it without any avoidable delay1 in order that the most extensive and the speediest trial may be given to the proposed remedy4 ,i repeat what ,i have already stated in a previous paper--that were mere reputation my object1 ,i would let years pass by1 and hundreds of cases accumulate before publication2 and in publishing ,i would enter into every kind of elaborate detail4 ,but the object ,i have proposed to myself in these inquiries is of a very different kind4 ,to gather together a few strong facts1 to ascertain the limits which cannot be passed without danger1 and then pointing out these to the profession1 to leave them to prosecute and decide on the subject of discussion1 such seems to me the fittest mode of attempting to explore the medicinal resources which an untried remedy may afford4 ,it may be useful to add a formula for making the preparations which ,i have employed4 ,the resinous extract is prepared by boiling the rich1 adhesive tops of the dried gunjah1 in spirit 7sp4 gr4 #hce71 until all the resin is dissolved4 ,the tincture thus obtained is evaporated to dryness by distillation1 or in a vessel placed over a pot of boiling water4 ,the extract softens at a gentle heat1 and can be made into pills without any addition4 ,the tincture is prepared by dissolving the extract in spirit of #hce density4 ,doses1 c4--,in tetanus a drachm of the tincture every half hour until the paroxysms cease1 or catalepsy or narcotism is induced4 ,in hydrophobia ,i recommend the resin in soft pills1 to the extent of ten to twenty grains to be chewed by the patient1 and repeated according to the effect4 ,in cholera1 thirty drops of the tincture every half hour will be often found to check the vomiting and purging1 and bring back warmth to the surface4 ,my experience would here lead me to prefer small doses of the remedy in order to excite rather than narcotise the patient4 ,i have only further to add1 that since the substance of the preceding memoir was first published1 numerous cases have come to my knowledge in which the churrus1 or resin prepared by the natives for smoking1 has been used with little effect4 ,this was the case in some experiments made by ,dr4 ,pereira with churrus which ,i sent him myself4 ,age and adulteration have been probably both concerned in rendering this substance inactive4 ,but with the alcoholic extract made from the tops in the way ,i recommend1 the practitioner has only to feel his way1 and increase the dose till he produces intoxication as the test of the remedy having taken effect4 ,of all powerful narcotics it is the safest to use with boldness and decision4 ,i have given ,mr4 ,squire1 of ,oxford-street1 a large supply of the gunjah1 and that gentleman has kindly promised me to place a sufficient quantity of the extract at the disposal of any hospital physician or surgeon who may desire to employ the remedy4 ,my object is to have it extensively and exactly tested without favor or prejudice1 for the experience of four years has established the conviction in my mind1 that we possess no remedy at all equal to this in anti-convulsive and anti-neuralgic power4 7,date of ,reprint7 ,london1 ,january1 #ahdc4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,for very fine specimens of churrus1 ,i have to express my thanks to ,dr4 ,campbell1 late political resident at ,nipal4 #b ,by this term is probably meant the first of the ,sassanian dynasty1 to whom the epithet of 8,khusrow0 or ,cosroes1 equivalent to ,kiser1 ,csar1 or ,czar1 has been applied in many generations4 ,this dynasty endured from ,a4,d4 #bjb to ,a4,d4 #fcf4--,vide note #ej to ,lane's ,translation of the ,arabian ,nights1 vol4 ii4 p4 #bbf4 #c ,handbuch der ,medicin und ,pharmac4 ,botanik1 von ,f4 ,ness von ,esenbeck und ,dr4 ,carl ,ebermaier1 vol4 i1 p4 #cch4 #d ,although ,i observed no effect from two drachms of hemp resin given to a horse1 ,messrs4 ,hughes and ,templar1 of ,calcutta1 have since cured four horses of traumatic tetanus by giving half-pint doses of the tincture4--,w4 ,b4 ,o',s4 #e ,the nurse1 ,i should have mentioned1 was changed early in the illness1 and change of air resorted to on the river1 but in vain4 ,,indian ,,hemp4 ,,to ,,the ,,editors ,,of ,,the ,,provincial ,,medical ,,journal4 ,,gentlemen1--,with reference to my paper on the ,indian ,hemp1 lately inserted in your ,journal1 ,i trust ,i may be permitted to disclaim any wish to advance these preparations as specifics in the treatment of tetanus1 or in spasmodic diseases generally4 ,that hemp possesses great1 indeed extraordinary1 anti-convulsive power1 ,i feel assured from numerous facts which ,i have myself observed1 and which others have also witnessed4 ,the cases of the six horses affected by traumatic tetanus1 recorded in my paper1 of which four recovered1 are almost enough by themselves to convince any unprejudiced person of the energy and promise of this drug4 ,many failures must be expected at first1 from the salutary caution all good practitioners must observe in the doses of a remedy with which they are not practically familiar4 ,on this point ,i have further to remark that in a case of traumatic tetanus1 now under treatment1 fifteen grain doses of the resin have been given every second or third hour1 and of these doses five taken before narcotism was induced4 ,in cases of tetanus1 ,i consider no trial of the drug at all conclusive1 unless it has been pushed to the extent of inducing stupor and insensibility4 ,too much importance has been attached by commentators on my paper to the occurrence of catalepsy as an effect of this drug2 catalepsy ,i have witnessed unequivocally in many cases1 but the effect is not an universal one2 ,i have seen it produced by ten drops of the tincture1 and by one grain of the resin4 ,but1 on the other hand1 ,i have given fifty grains in one day to a tetanic patient without any such effect being observable4 ,it seems quite evident1 from the experiments made by ,mr4 ,ley and ,dr4 ,pereira1 that much larger doses must be used in this country than those we found sufficient in ,india4 ,the cause of this is possibly to be traced to molecular chemical changes taking place by age in the constituents of the drug1 and analogous to those familiar to the profession in the case of hemlock and its active principle4 ,the tincture1 made by dissolving the extract in spirit1 ,i consider the best form of the drug for use in tetanic cases--or the resin may be made into an emulsion1 by trituration with a little flour1 carbonate of soda1 and mucilage4 ,the soda tends to dissolve the resin1 and its use is in accordance with the precepts of the ancient ,eastern writers1 who prescribed hemp with alkaline substances1 and used acids in various forms 7such as oxymel and sorrel wine7 to counteract its effects when taken in overdoses4 ,in conclusion1 ,i venture to refer to the very interesting cases lately published by ,mr4 ,ley1 in the ,provincial ,medical ,journal4 ,another memoir from the same able pen1 will1 ,i understand1 soon appear1 and will afford ample evidence of the therapeutic value of this agent4 ,mr4 ,ley informs me that of the anti-convulsive power of the hemp he entertains no doubt4 ,this is the great1 the valuable result to look for2 all else is comparatively of but little importance4 ,on some minor points ,mr4 ,ley's results differ from mine4 ,this must be regarded but as a proof of the accuracy of his observations--that he is recording faithfully what he sees1 and is not merely treading in the footsteps of another4 ,i am1 ,gentlemen1 ,your faithful servant1 ,w4 ,b4 ,o',,shaughnessy1 ,m4,d4 ,london1 ,feb4 #h1 #ahdc4 ,p4,s4--,i would take the liberty of inviting experimentalists to the repetition on the hemp resin of the processes for preparing conia and nicotina--namely by distillation with caustic potash or soda and water1 receiving the distilled liquid in dilute acid1 and redistilling this with an excess of alkali1 as before4 ,my departure from ,india interfered with my trial of this process1 and ,i think it likely to lead to valuable results4 ,,london3 ,s4 ,taylor1 ,printer1 #f1 ,chandos street1 ,covent-garden4 ,transcriber's ,notes ,a few very minor mistakes in punctuation and spelling were fixed4