CANNABIS INDICA.
By Timothy F. Allen — The Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica
The East Indian Cannabis sativa, Linn.
Nat. order , Cannabineæ.
Common names , Hashish, or Blang, or Ganja, or Birmingi (The best variety is that grawn in India at an elevation of 6 to 10, 000 feet).
Preparation , Tincture of the young leaves and twigs.
Authorities.
1 , Provings, published by the American Provers' Union, Philadelphia, 1839, obtained by Drs. Cowley. Coxe, Jr., Dubs, Musgrave, Neidhard, Pfeifer, Schaw, and Wolfe, from the tincture, 1st and 3d dec. dil. (no daybooks nor references to individuals furnished); 2 , proving of W. A. D. Pierce with 3 grains of "Squire's" extract, reported by Dr. Gardiner, Am. Hom. Rev., 3, 411 (and republished in Am. J. of Hom. M. M., New Series, 1, 11); 3 , G. M. Pease, M.D., N. E. Med. Gaz., 1, 204, experiments on self and some thirty friends, including two ladies, with 6 to 56 grains of extract; 4 , Lembke, Z. f. Hom. Kl., 4, 155, proving with 15 to 50 drops of the tincture; 5 , Norton's provings, B. J. of Hom., 17, 465, 15 drops of tincture; 6 , Dr. J. S. Linsley (of New York), provings on three persons, MSS.; 7 , symptoms from Mure, Pathogénésie Brésilienne; 8 , E. W. Berridge (seven provings), Hahn. Month., 3, 461, proving with 60 minims of tincture; 9 , ibid., 1 dr., with 1 dr. spts. ammon. aromat .; 10 , ibid., 5 grains of extract; 11 , ibid., 1 dr. of tincture; 12 , ibid., 1 dr. and 10 minims; 13 , ibid., 1 and 2 drs. of tincture; 14 , ibid., 1 dr. of tincture; 15 , E. W. Berridge, M.D., M. Hom. Rev., 13, 726, proving with 2 grains of extract; 16 , omitted; 17 , effects of Hashish, from "Hashish-eater;" detailed extracts from this work are given, and also the very clear and concise notes of Dr. P. P. Wells, in Am. Hom. Rev., vol. 3, in order to exhibit the prominent features of the ever-varying effects of the drug; , Bayard Taylor, extracted from the monograph of the American Provers' Union; , Dr. Daditi, effects of 1 1/2 grains of extract, repeated in half an hour, N. Am. J. of Hom., 14, 136; , Heinrich, experiments with 10 grains of "Birmingi" (see Z. f. Ver. Oest., 2, 306); , Bigler, Z. f. Hom. Kl., 1, 116, general statement of effects; , Hirschel's Archiv, 2, 70, effects of 4 grains; , All. Hom. Zeit., 49, 88 (Med. Times, 1854), effects of 20 to 30 drops of tincture; , Sonnenberg, Prag. Med. Monats, general statement; , M. Muquet, L'Art Méd., 38, 308, general statement; , Urquhart, in "Pillars of Hercules," N. Am. J. of Hom., 10, 343, effects of preparation called "Majorim" (prepared with spices); , Carl Bower, Am. Druggists' Circular (B. J. of hom., 22, 514), effects of 5 grains; , Th. Gautier, effects, quoted in L. and Ed. M. J., 5, 695; , O'Shaughnessey, general statement, L. and E. M. J., 1, 57, also effects on Hindoos, quoted by Christison, Inaug. Dis.; , Editor of L. and E. M. J., effects on himself; , Williams, L. and E. M. J., 3, 949, general statement; , Perry, L. and E. M. J., 3, 949, effects on self and others; , Christison, Inaug. Dis. (L. and E. M. J., 13, 26), effects on self, 1 to 4 grains; , ibid., effects of 2 grains on a friend; , ibid., effects of 3 grains; , ibid., effects of small doses of tincture on a young lady; , on a porter, L. and E. M. J., 13, 26, effects of 1 grain in chronic asthma; , Dr. J. Gardner, L. and E. M. J., 14, 270, effects of 3 grains of extract on three men; , Polli, N. Y. J. of Hom., 2, 362, from Trans. of St. Andrew's Med. Grad.; , Dawameski, ibid., effects of 15 grains of extract; , Dr. S. A. Jones. N. Y. J. of Hom., 2, 368, effects of 10 grains; , Olearius, transferred from Hahnemann's résumé of Cannabis sat.; , proving of W. A. D. Pierce with the 30th, Am. J. of Hom. M. M., N. S. 1, 51; , ibid., provings, with 1, 2, and 3 grains of Squire's extract; , ibid., proving with the 5000th of Fincke.
MIND
- Emotional.
- Excitement, 23.
- Very excited; he began dancing about the room; frequently laughing; talked nonsense, but could not stop without an effort of the will, which he did not care to make, 8.
- Easily excited and irritated, in the afternoon, 1.
- He shouts, leaps into the air, and claps his hands for joy, 17.
- He sings, and extemporizes both words and music, 17.
- On becoming conscious, he finds himself dancing, laughing, and singing before a looking-glass, 1.
- Incoherent talking, 1.
- Tendency to blasphemy, 1.
- Every now and then speaks uncontrollably loud, and then corrects himself (after three hours), 5. [10.]
- While visiting patients, have great difficulty to refrain from saying or doing unusual things, 5.
- Had a distinct sensation that he must keep himself sober till he got to bed, otherwise he might do something foolish, 8.
- Accents the last syllable in all his words, and laughs immoderately, 1.
- Quickness of ideas and pleasant sensations, 30.
- Constant succession of new ideas, each one of which was almost instantly forgotten, 33.
- Rapid succession of unassociated ideas, and impossibility to follow a train of thought (after one hour), 33.
- The flow of ideas was very rapid; though early, it seemed to him that it was very late in the day; the fantasies continued through the night and prevented sleep, 20.
- His mind is filled with ridiculous speculative ideas, 1.
- Fixed ideas, 1.
- Thoughts followed one another through my head in most rapid succession; they were very vivid, but were forgotten immediately, at their very beginning, 24. [20.]
- constantly theorizing, 1.
- Falls constantly into reveries, 1.
- Delightful reveries came over him, 33.
Cannabis Indica " but when did he take it? Surely it was yesterday, last week, days ago. On summoning his servant, it seemed a few weeks before he came, 15.
- His calculation of the time he enjoyed the dreams was about three hundred years, the fact being that only a quarter of an hour had elapsed, 28.
- When writing these notes, time seemed prolonged; he seemed to dream between each stroke of the pencil, 8.
- His friends seemed gone out of the room a long time, 8. [50.]
- Among the first effects was noticed that the letter or number which had just been written seemed like something that had long since been accomplished, 24.
- Minutes seem to be days, 19.
- The length of time occupied in urinating seemed days instead of seconds (after four hours). 3.
- Only ten minutes had elapsed, and he thought at least hours had gone by, 3.
- Only ten minutes had now elapsed, but it seemed to him to be two hours, His sensations were exalted and magnified; his pulse felt to him to be stronger; ideas flowed more rapidly; the pictures on the wall seemed larger than reality, 8.
- He could count his pulse well; it did not seem to him to be beating slowly, though time seemed prolonged, 8.
- A friend who was in the same room seemed a long way off (after one hour), 11.
- Strange feeling of isolation from all around him, with great sense of loneliness, though surrounded by his friends, 17.
- He imagines that he is possessed of infinite knowledge and power of vision, and then that he is Christ come to restore the world to perfect peace, 17.
- He believes there is creative power in his own word, and that he has only to speak, and it will be done, 17. [60.]
- He believes he is Daniel Webster, and omnipotent in argumentative eloquence, 17.
- Then he possesses the wealth of the world, and with a benevolence equal to his wealth, showers riches on all the needy around him, 17.
- It seemed as though I was transparent; the fire in the grate seemed to shine through me, and to warm the marrow of the bones. I felt the blood course in my veins, and everything within me trembled with the most extreme pleasure, 24.
- His body seemed to him to become transparent, and he imagined he saw within his breast the hashish he had eaten in the form of an emerald, from which issued millions of little sparks, 28.
- Imagines he is gradually swelling, his body becoming larger and larger, .
There was a dryness of the mouth, which was not thirst . The dryness radiated from the back of the throat, opposite the nape of the neck. It was a patch of dark-blue color; the food, as it reached this point, pouring down, and taking the color of the patch. I was under the impression that I described all this at the time, but was told that I would not say anything about myself, or describe what I experienced. I should have been relieved if some one present had been under he same influence. The bursts of laughter to which I gave rise were not at all pleasing, except when they were excited by any observation I made which was not connected with myself. I never lost the consciousness of what was going on; there were always present the real objects, as well as the imaginary ones; but at times I began to doubt which was which, and then I floated in strange uncertainty. It came by fits, with, I thought, hours of intervals, when only minutes could have elapsed, 26.
- Their first sensations were of intense astonishment at the circumstance that they found themselves no longer masters of their own acts, while they still remained lucid witnesses of all acts, however foolish. Here the difference between alcoholic inebriation and that from Hashish is strongly marked. They saw themselves committing absurdities of the most grotesque kind; leaping, beating time to nothing, moving their arms as if receiving electrical shocks, writing ridiculous words, and so forth, without any power on their par to prevent such exhibitions; but yet standing, as it were, independently of them, as though they were merely subjects of observation exhibited from other persons than themselves. At first they had the sensation and appearance of feigning a state of exaltation which they did not feel, and which was even feigned with so much uncertainty and awkwardness that any one aiding in it would for a long time believe in its unreality. It is, nevertheless, an irresistible propensity, 39. [120.]
- At one moment the intellect is obscure, and loses itself in forgetfulness of the past; then it returns clear, and is able to form a judgement for a moment, and disapprove of any acts it may have before sanctioned, but only to be again involved in that state of automatic folly which is so peculiar a phenomenon during Hashish intoxication. During the intervals of confusion or darkness, the lucid moments possess a power and comprehension truly marvellous, so that in a few seconds the most distinct and accurate picture of a range of life, including as much as forty years, may be recast and surveyed. The alternation from obscurity to lucidity is like the effect of a sea-wave; a lucid wave is followed by a dark overhanging wave on which the mind is shipwrecked, and carried with the sensation of a melancholy floating towards forgetfulness and oblivion, to be roused instantly by the passage over it once more of the wave of life and light. The dark waves chase each other so long as they continue, and the mind, unable to continue its thoughts and acts, but bending under a successive series of impressions, the shortest space of time seems to present the duration of an eternity, 39.
- A seeming extraordinary slowness of time, which struck the observers in so singular a manner, and made them so impatient of delay, that they were continually recurring to their watches, and observing, with a kind of awe, how minutes were transformed into epochs. With this apparently interminable length of time, there seemed to occur a kind of forgetfulness, by which an act of the mind, taking place an interval before, or an impression received some time before, were in a manner forgotten; but, in a few brief moments they returned, or presented themselves, as it were, for the first time and in such manner, almost unaccountably repeated themselves, and reproduced frequently, as now, the impressions they reinspired, 39.
- There was noticed in the observers, so different themselves ordinarily in general character and temperament, a common docility and absence of susceptibility which was most remarkable. Thus one of them gave to another with whom he was but slightly acquainted a series of hard blows on the back, saying that he himself felt nothing of the Hashish, and asking whether the blows he inflicted were felt. On his part, he who received the blows took them all in good humor, uttering no complaint, and seeming, in indeed, insusceptible of complaint. Again, one of them, who sat writing, submitted to receive the infliction of two sharp blows, boxes on the ears, and to have his pen snatched out of his hand, without any expression of pain or even annoyance. Reproaches between them for having taken the drug never passed; but each, laughing all the time, tried often, in lucid intervals, to produce sickness. Such was the good humor that prevailed that each one mutually yielded up his own will and obeyed the other; the whole trio joyfully concurring in all that suggested itself to them, as withdrawing them from the idea of danger, and fully agreeing in particulars as to the sensations they experienced, .
HEAD
- Confusion and Vertigo.
- Forehead confused, heavy (after one hour), 4.
- Vertigo, 1, 22, 23.
- Vertigo (after one hour and three-quarters), 19.
- Vertigo on rising, 1.
- Vertigo on rising, with a stunning pain in the back part of the head, and he falls, 1. [280.]
- Vertigo, with backward inclination of the head (first day), 7.
- On walking, slight inclination to vertigo (after five hours), 4.
- Head dizzy (second day), 3.
- Dizziness in head (after two hours), 14.
- Dizziness as in intoxication (second day), 7.
- Dizziness on bending forward, or walking (first day), 7.
- Strong coffee relieved the dizziness (second day), 3.
- Giddiness (after one hour), 33.
- Giddiness; the everything seemed turning round, for some time (after one hour), 12.
- Transient feeling in head as if something were going round in it, from before backwards, on right side (after one hour and one-sixth), 14. [290.]
- Peculiar feeling of moving, or what is called swimming in head, with transient feeling of constriction round head (after one hour and two-thirds), 14.
- Scarcely any effect while sitting quiet, but on beginning to walk, perhaps three hours afterwards, staggered, and was quite drunk. These symptoms would abate on sitting down, but would be again reproduced on rising, 32.
- General Head.
- Frequent involuntary shaking of his head, 1.
- Dulness of head (after forty-five minutes), 19.
- Felt an opium-like dulness in the head (after one hour), 5.
- Seething or crisping of blood through the brain, quick, like a flash of sheet lightning, 44.
- For several months, in fact for nearly a year afterwards, I was troubled with a crisping sensation in the brain, just as I fell asleep or awoke from sleep; not every night, but probably once a week, .
EYE
- Objective.
- Wild-looking eyes (first day), 7.
- Seemed to have awakened suddenly, and stared wildly about him (after one hour), 37.
- Fixed gaze, 1. [350.]
- Eye has an expression of cunning and merriment, 29.
- On looking at himself in the mirror was struck with the small drunken appearance of the eyes (after eight hours), 5.
- Languid eyes; heaviness of the head (second day), 1.
- Eyes swollen and inflamed (second day), 3.
- Eyes dull and swollen (in about thirty provers), 3.
- Subjective.
- Weakness of the eyes, 1.
- Heaviness in the eyes, 1.
- Heaviness and pressure over the eyes, with nausea, 1.
- Heat in the eyes, 1.
- Feeling of burning heat, more marked in the eyes than in the lids, and severe (after three hours), 13. [360.]
- Burning and smarting in the eyes, 1.
- Great pressure in the right eye, 1.
- Orbit.
- Pain as from a blow over the orbit of the right eye, 1.
- Lids.
- Bloodvessels of upper eyelids become very full and distended, with feeling of heat (after one hour and one-sixth), 13.
- Contraction of the eyelids (second day), 7.
- Drooping appearance of the eyelids, followed at last by a comatose state, lasting for hours, out of which it was almost impossible fully to arouse the energies, 17.
- Twinkling of the eyes (first day), 7.
- His eyelids feel very heavy, and he can only partially open them, 1.
- Burning and itching of the edges of the eyelids, 1.
- Slight soreness of upper eyelids (after one hour and two-thirds), 13. [370.]
- A cool burning-stinging in inner corner and canthus of left eye and adjacent side of nose, .
EAR
- Pain and singing in left ear, 44.
- Burning in the ears, 1.
- Stuffed feeling of the right ear (after forty-five minutes), 19.
- Aching in both ears, 1.
- Boring pain immediately above and back of right ear (after three hours), 44.
- Boring pain in right ear, 44.
- Tearing pain in the right ear, ameliorated by pressure, 1. [410.]
- Throbbing and fulness in both ears, 1.
- Jerking or electric shocks in the ears, 1.
- Hearing.
- Great acuteness of hearing, 17.
- Sensitiveness to noise, 1.
- Increase in power of hearing, whereby slight noises became as loud as thunder, 28.
- Sounds seem unusually loud, 1.
- His own voice seems intensely loud. Believes he has been talking indecently loud, when he has not spoken at all, 17.
- Music of any kind is intensely agreeable to him, 1.
- Difficult hearing, 21.
- His own voice sounded to him a long way off (after one hour), 11. [420.]
- Noise in the ears like boiling water, 1.
- Buzzing in ears, lasting some time (after one hour), 12.
- Buzzing in right ear, 8.
- Buzzing in ears, with slight giddiness (after two hours and a quarter), 35.
- Singing in ears (after one hour), 11.
- Singing in ears, while lying down, dozing, which went off when he got up (after one hour and two-thirds), 14.
- Periodical singing in the ears, that always ceased as soon as he came to himself, and renewed itself when a dreamy spell came on, 1.
- Singing in left ear, 44.
- Ringing and buzzing in the ears, .
NOSE
- Sneezing (after one hour and three-quarters), 19. [430.]
- He blew coagulated blood from his right nostril, 1.
- Dry, feverish feeling of left nostril (after three hours), 44.
- Pain at the root of the nose, 1.
- Fulness and aching at the root of the nose, 1.
FACE
- Objective.
- Thinks his expression must be altered, as people look at him more than usual (after three hours), 5.
- Wearied, exhausted appearance, 1.
- He looks drowsy and stupid, 1.
- He looks as if thoroughly intoxicated, 1.
- Pale face (first day), 7.
- Face a little pale (second day), 5. [440.]
- Face pale and anxious (after one hour), 37.
- Paleness of face, as in fainting, ameliorated by fresh air, 19.
- Face flushed, from mounting the stairs, 41.
- Redness of the face, as during intoxication, 1.
- The face and eyes became very red, 20.
- By a great exertion moved his hand and felt his face, and it felt hard; there was no sensation in the face, but to the hand it felt stony, 3.
- The skin of his face, especially of his forehead and chin, feels as if it were drawn tight, 1.
- Feeling of pressure on both cheeks, in corresponding spots, about posterior border of malar bone. This did not last long (after one hour and one-sixth), 14.
- Stinging in right side of face as though stuck with pains; leaves on scratching, but comes again immediately on another part of body, 44.
- Drawings in the muscles of mastication, 44. [450.]
- Sensation as though the muscles of the face were drawn tightly around the jaw, 44.
- Pain in right upper jaw, at root of first molar tooth (after four hours), 44.
- His lips are glued together, 1.
- Jerking of the lower lip, 1.
- A well-marked burning line from lip to chin, straight down left side, as though it were a cicatrix (after nine hours), 44.
- Cold burning (like turpentine) in vermilion border of lip and point of nose, left side, 44.
- Before falling to sleep, the lower jaw was very stiff and immovable, 5.
MOUTH
- Teeth.
- Gritting and grinding of the teeth while sleeping, 1.
- The teeth of right side of mouth seem to him to be clenched. (This condition was not noticed by his friend, and was probably subjective), 8. [460.]
- Aching in all the teeth of the upper jaw, which felt as if they were loose, 1.
- Pain in lower molar teeth, right side, 44.
- Boring pain in right lower molar teeth, better from pressure, worse from grinding them together, 44.
- Dull pain in right molar teeth (after three hours), 44.
- Heavy throbbing at the roots of the teeth, 1.
- Soreness at the union of the front teeth and gums, especially on the inside, with sensitiveness to the touch of the tongue, 1.
- Cessation of toothache (after one hour), 33.
- Felt no pain, while quite conscious that the toothache was present (after one hour), 33.
- Tongue.
- White-coated tongue (second day), 7.
- Tongue white and sickly-looking (second day), 5. [470.]
- In morning, tongue white and foul, with a bad taste, as if he had been intoxicated over night (second day), 5.
- 6 A.M. Before rising, a considerable collection of thick mucus on tongue (second day), 44.
- Tongue feels dry, as if scalded (second day), 44.
- Tongue and throat have a dry feeling, but no particular desire for water, 44.
- Peculiar, somewhat metallic sensation on right half of tongue, 8.
- Tongue as if covered with pepper (after forty-five minutes), 19.
- Stinging-burning, as of a blister, on back part of tongue, right side, at anterior pillar of fauces (after three hours), 44.
- General Mouth.
- Some dryness of mouth, without thirst (after one hour and a half), 10.
- Dryness of the mouth and lips, 1.
- [480.]
THROAT
- The carotid and temporal arteries beat slower and weaker than usual, 20.
- Hawks up in the morning glairy lumps with a spot of blood in each, 1.
- Dryness and roughness in the throat, 1. [500.]
- A dryness in the throat led to a request for water, 41.
- Feeling of uneasiness, as though from dryness of the throat, or rather a sensation that the tongue and throat were covered with a dry, soft body, 39.
- The attempt to smoke a cigar in the open air had to be abandoned on account of the dryness and rawness of the throat, 20.
- The throat is parched, accompanied by intense thirst for cold water, 1.
- Sensation as of a fleshy body at the pit of the throat, impeding deglutition, 1.
- Sensation of a plug rising in his throat, causing him to choke, 1.
- Burning sensation in throat, 27.
- Pressure in tonsils (after one hour and three-quarters), 19.
- Scraping of the pharynx, eructations, and slight nausea (soon), 20.
STOMACH
- Appetite.
- Appetite increased, 21. [510.]
- Increased appetite, 1.
- Enormously increased the appetite, 26.
- Increased appetite at dinner (second day), 8.
- 1.30 P.M., increased appetite; had a good lunch (had had no breakfast), (second day), 8.
- One effect to which all patients testified, and without being interrogated, was that it improved their appetite and general health, and seemed to improve all their secretions, 31.
- Appetite strong (second day), 31.
- Great appetite, 12.
- Excellent appetite for supper at 6, but mouth still very dry, 27.
- Great hunger for several days (second day), 7.
- Ravenous hunger, 1. [520.]
- Ravenous hunger, which is not decreased by eating enormously; he ceases eating only from fear of injuring himself, 1.
- Bulimia, 29.
- At tea, ate voraciously, 35.
- At tea, ate ravenously, without feeling satisfied, 33.
- Pastry and fat food, which previously he never ate without suffering from rancid risings and headache, are now digested easily, 1.
- He eats large quantities of bread, declaring it to be delicious, 1.
- Little appetite (first day), 7.
- Loss of appetite (in about thirty provers), 3.
- Loss of appetite (second day), 7.
- He has intense thirst, and yet he fears to drink, for he will be suffocated by the magnitude of the stream as it passes down his throat; and again it is not water, but the most delicious metheglin that he swallows with superhuman delight, 17. [530.]
- Desire for and dread of water (in about thirty provers), 3.
- Had a great craving for water, but a single swallow passing down the throat gave the sensation as of holding his mouth under a cataract; a spasm came upon him, with a sensation of fear or dread, but this was only for an instant (after four hours), .
ABDOMEN
- Stitches in right hypochondrium, when breathing (after one hour and three-quarters), 19.
- Immediately on lying down again, a disagreeable rumbling in the abdomen, as though a looseness was coming on (immediately), 44.
- Disagreeable flatulent rumbling in the bowels, at night, when lying down, 44.
- The abdomen feels swelled; relieved by belching up a considerable quantity of wind, 1.
- Stitches above the symphysis pubis, 1.
RECTUM AND ANUS
- Tenesmus, 21.
- Sensation in the anus as if he were sitting on a ball; as if the anus and a part of the urethra were filled up by a hard round body, 1.
STOOL
- Painless yellow diarrhœa was present in every case (in about thirty provers), 3.
- Two liquid stools, besides frequent ineffectual urging (first and second days), 4. [560.]
- Had a discharge from the bowels (after five hours), and in half an hour had another. They were thin, yellow, and painless. The diarrhœa increased, and heat pervaded the abdomen internally, and frequent discharges of this kind followed, but entirely without pain, 3.
- Constipation, 21.
- Constipation followed the proving, 20.
- In one or two cases, a little constipation for a few days, 3.
- Costiveness, 1.
URINARY ORGANS
- Kidneys.
- Pain in the kidneys, when laughing, 1. [570.]
- Burning in the kidneys, 1.
- Aching in the kidneys, keeping him awake at night, 1.
- Sharp stitches in both kidneys, 1.
- Urethra.
- Slight inflammation of the orifice of the urethra, 1.
- On squeezing the glans penis, a white glairy mucus oozes out, 1.
- Uneasiness in the urethra, 1.
- Feelings in the urethra as if there were a gonorrhœal discharge, 1.
- Pain and burning during urination, 1.
- Burning pains in the urethra, worse in the evening, 1.
- Burning and scalding before, during, and after urination, 1. [580.]
- Intense burning at the orifice of the urethra, during urination and afterwards, 1.
- Stitching in urethra, 4.
- Stitches in urethra (second day), 4.
- Stitching pains in urethra and anus for one minute (after one hour and three-quarters), 19.
- Stitching in the end of the urethra (after eleven hours), 4.
- Stitching in end of urethra (evening and night), (second day), 4. [590.]
- Stinging pain before, during, and after urination, 1.
- Sharp prickings, like needles, in the urethra, so severe as to send a thrill to the cheeks and hands, 1.
- Constant inclination to urinate (after one hour and three-quarters), 18.
- Continual desire to urinate (second day), 44.
- Although the urine had been voided on retiring, a great desire was felt to pass more, which he essayed to do, but could scarcely retain it until the vessel could be got ready (after four hours), .
SEXUAL ORGANS
- Male.
- Excitement of the genitals, 21.
- Satyriasis, 1.
- Erections while riding, walking, and also while sitting still; not caused by amorous thoughts, 1.
- After coition, the erection continues so long and becomes so painful that he has to apply cold water to the penis, 1.
- Violent erections, 1.
- Priapism, 1.
- Chordee, 1.
- Penis relaxed and shrunken (after one hour and three-quarters), 19. [620.]
- Uneasiness, with burning sensation in the penis and urethra, accompanied by frequent calls to urinate, 1.
- The sexual thrill is very much prolonged, with more than a dozen ejaculations of semen, 1.
- In the night, during coitus, little or no sensation. Scarcely any emission or sensation, but soon after a rather acute pain in the loins, which lasted a short time (quite unusual), (second day), 5.
- The sexual thrill consists merely of an intense burning, with no ejaculation of semen, 1.
- Sticking-burning soreness in he glans penis, 1.
- Itching of the glans penis, 1.
- Itching and burning of the scrotum, 1.
- Aphrodisia, 29.
- Aphrodisiac feeling to an unusual degree (after seven hours), 5.
- Excessive venereal appetite, with frequent erections during the day, 1. [630.]
- Excessive discharge of prostatic fluid, at night, during a hard evacuation, 1.
- Female.
- Very profuse menstruation, which lasted five days (in two women, after 10 grains, on two occasions), 3.*
- Nymphomania, .
RESPIRATORY ORGANS
- Voice.
- The pitch of the voice is much higher, 1.
- Talks in so low a tone as not to be heard, and laughs excessively when told of it, 1.
- Inability to measure the compass and volume of the voice when speaking, 17.
- Cough.
- Rough cough, scratching the breast immediately under the sternum, 1.
- Slight dry cough (after four hours), afterward becoming harder, but still dry, almost like a bark, 3.
- Hard, dry cough (in about thirty provers), 3.
- Respiration. [640.]
- Hot breath, 1.
- Stertorous breathing, 17.
- Difficult respiration, 21.
- It requires great effort to take a deep inspiration, 1.
- The least pressure on the stomach brings on a fit of suffocation, 1.
- Desire for open air, 23.
CHEST
- Pains in thorax (after forty-five minutes), 19.
- Anxious sensation in chest, and rapid, irregular, small beats of the heart, almost all day (second day), 4.
- Heaviness of chest in walking (after forty-five minutes), 19.
- Burning in chest, 21. [650.]
- On ascending some steps quickly, felt a constricted pain across the chest on a line with the heart; it only lasted a moment or two; never felt such a pain before (second day), 5.
- Pains pressing, stitching, in thorax and extremities (after one hour and three-quarters), 19.
- Oppression on chest, 8.
- Oppression of the chest with a pressive and tightened sensation in the pit of the stomach, 20.
- Oppression of the chest, with deep, labored breathing. He feels as if suffocated, and has to be fanned, 1.
- Considerable oppression of chest, as if suffocation would surely supervene; increased by mounting the stairs, 41.
- Stitches extending from supervene; increased by mounting the stairs, 41.
- Sharp, cutting pain behind the sternum, aggravated by swallowing, 1.
HEART AND PULSE
- Præcordium.
- Oppression in præcordium, 23.
- Sense of weight in region of heart (soon after), 36. [660.]
- Indescribable sensation of oppression about heart; feeling of sickness at heart; heart's beating seemed to him to be very much embarrassed, sharp and quick, weak and small; its contractions seemed jerky. This condition of heart lasted until he went to bed, about 3 A.M., 8.
- For a long time after, annoyed and alarmed by pains about the heart, 41.
- Pricking pains, apparently on surface of heart, off and on, 13.
- On breathing, the heart feels as if it rubbed against the ribs, 1.
- Felt sick at the heart. (The last word really refers to the heart, and not to any other part), 8.
- Anguish at the heart, 1.
- Pain in the heart, with palpitation of the heart, 1.
- Pressing pain in the heart, with dyspnœa the whole night, 1.
- Sticking pains in small circumscribed places in the heart, 1.
- Painful sticking as with the prongs of a fork in the heart, 1. [670.]
- Stitches in the heart, accompanied by great oppression; the latter relieved by deep breathing, 1.
- Heart's Action.
- Impulse of the heart very weak, at times scarcely perceptible, 20.
- Intense and rapid beating of heart, and widely dilated pupils (after half an hour), 27.
- Small, uneven, anxious beats of the heart, when sitting or stooping (after three hours), 4.
- Palpitation of the heart, awakening him from sleep, 1.
- Painful palpitation of the heart, 1.
- Pulse.
- Slight increase in the force of the pulse (after one hour), 33.
- His pulse seemed to him to be full and bounding, 8.
- His pulse began to throb heavily, and his head to be dizzy, .
NECK AND BACK
- Neck. [690.]
- Aching in the nape of the neck, in the right shoulder, and in the right ear, 1.
- Back.
- Peculiar feeling like a stream of warm water, which gradually stole up the back, and made its way to the brain (after half an hour), 27.
- Sensation as though a red-hot iron rod was passed from sacrum up the spine to the atlas, around the occiput, over the eyes from right side stopping at left ear, leaving a feeling as if charred, taking six hours to perform the passage, 44.
- Stunning pain between the shoulder-blades, 1.
- Pain across the shoulders and spine, forcing him to stoop, and preventing him from walking erect, 1.
- 4 P.M. very severe on the outer edge of trapezius muscle (second day), 44.
- Reflex movements of spinal column; a wavelike motion beginning at dorsal region, and extending to pelvis, alternately raising and depressing first the dorsum, afterwards the pelvis, slowly and involuntarily. While the dorsum and shoulder were pressed against the bed, the lumbar and pelvic regions were slowly elevated, and then slowly but firmly depressed while the dorsum was slowly elevated, 6.
- Cold feeling in small of back and between the shoulders, 44.
EXTREMITIES IN GENERAL
- Objective.
- Seized with a sort of gesticulatory convulsions in the arms and legs, and by degrees his symptoms assumed the appearance of those which characterize hydrophobia, 39.
- Paralysis of the lower extremities and right arm, 1.
- Subjective. [700.]
- Pleasant numbness in the limbs (after one hour), 33.
- Unpleasant shuddering through all the limbs, with a painful feeling of weight in the occiput, and a tetanic intermittent contraction of the muscles of the nape of the neck, 22.
- Leaden feeling in the limbs, as though he could not move them, for some time (after two and a half hours), 12.
- Tired feeling in the limbs, with disposition to retire to bed, 1.
- Pains in wrists and ankles (second day), 4.
- Pains in the joints (second day), 7.
UPPER EXTREMITIES
- Objective.
- Trembling of the arms and hands, 1.
- Inability to raise the right arm, with coldness of the right hand, 1.
- Subjective.
- Curious shooting pain in left arm, from shoulder to tip of middle finger, producing in the finger a feeling of internal soreness, the same as is felt in neuralgic pains. The pain at one time concentrated itself in the pulpy part of the ungual phalanx, and at another at the upper part of the axillary border of the scapula, whence it seemed to radiate, like the spokes of a wheel, for a distance of two inches (after one hour and two-thirds), 13.
- Agreeable thrilling through the arms and hands, 1.
- Shoulders. [710.]
- Lameness of the shoulders, 1.
- Feeling in the shoulders as if beaten, particularly in the left shoulder, 1.
- Arm.
- Pain in the front of the arm and back of the elbow, 44.
- Elbow.
- Pain as from fatigue in the bend of the right elbow (at 7 A.M., first day), 7.
- Forearm.
- Unable to raise his hands, the feeling being as if a weight was upon the forearm, 3.
- Heaviness of forearm and feet (in about thirty provers), 3.
- Wrist.
- Pains in left wrist (second day), 4.
- Hands.
- Constant rubbing of hands, 29.
- Shaking of the hands so that he cannot write, 17.
- The hands feel monstrously large, 1.
- Fingers. [720.]
- Sudden appearance of redness in all the fingers, with burning and pricking in the joints, 1.
- Sharp sticking pain in the fingers, 1.
- Aching in the finger-joints, .
LOWER EXTREMITIES
- Objective.
- Unsteadiness of gait; not that of one who fears to fall, but of one who tries to keep down, for he felt as if there were springs in his knees, and was reminded of the story of the man with the mechanical leg, that walked away with him, 26.
- While going along a plank walk, just one board wide, every now and then, and suddenly, the right leg would shoot to the left, missing the plank. After observing this muscular freak a few times, the attention was centred upon locomotion, with a view of preventing a repetition of the erratic misstep. Out shot the leg again and again, defying volition, and invariably going over to the left, 41.
- Entire paralysis of the lower extremities, 1.
- He is unable to walk upstairs, on account of an almost entire paralysis of the limbs, with stiffness and tired aching in both knees, 1.
- Limbs unable to support him (after two hours and a quarter), 35.
- Legs hardly able to support body, 27.
- The right limb suddenly gives way and he falls, 1. [730.]
- About 3 A.M., having roused himself to sobriety, he went to bed. Stumbled down the steps on leaving his friend's room, 8.
- Lameness of the right limb drawings in the calves, 1.
- Great weakness of the left leg, 1.
- Weariness in both limbs, almost amounting to paralysis; worse in the left, 1.
- Subjective.
- His limbs feel very large, 1.
- Agreeable thrilling in both limbs from the knees down, with a sensation as if a bird's claws were clasping the knees, 1.
- The right limb feels paralyzed when walking, 1.
- Tired feeling in the left limb, 1.
- Numbness of the left limb and foot, 1.
- Hip.
- Pain in the right hip. Pain in the left thigh-bone, 1.
- Thigh. [740.]
GENERAL SYMPTOMS
- Objective.
- Determination of blood to surface, 29.
- Great excitation of the whole system, as if the blood were circulating very quickly; as if streams of it were poured from below towards the head, which felt dull, while his eyes were glistening; on walking, he could scarcely find his way; everything seemed dark and perverted; on reaching home great cheerfulness and serenity, as though an unseen power lifted him up into other and higher regions; everything appeared too small and too dark; frequent protestations that he saw something unearthly, and could accomplish great things; he saw spirits dancing around him as happy as himself; his hearing was very acute; the slightest noise, as the beating of his own heart, seemed too loud; violent thirst; cataleptic and epileptic attacks, 22.
- Strange, balancing gait, 29.
- From time to time shaking of the whole body, 1.
- Catalepsy, 21.
- Sometimes catalepsy, 29.
- He did things automatically, 1.
- Cannot avoid running against people in the street, 1.
- Unconsciously walks sidewise in the street, 1. [770.]
- Creeps on hands or knees in open air, 23.
- During the intoxication, when the spells of laughter came on, he stamped with his feet, and raised his body up and down on the sofa in a violent manner, 1.
- Closed his eyes and tried to think of something solemn. Suddenly felt as if he were a marble statue; had no ability to move, and a chill all over him, 3.
- Feels as if under the sedative influence of an opiate (after three hours), 5.
- Disinclination to physical labor, 1.
- Felt idle in morning (second day), 5.
- Luxurious indolence and erotic delirium, 22.
- Great desire to lie down in the daytime, 1.
- Much torpidity (second day), 33.
- Feels greatly fatigued, 1. [780.]
- Relaxation of muscular power (after four and a quarter hours), 13.
- Felt very weak (second day), 20.
- Felt as if weak, chiefly about the knees (after two and a quarter hours), .
SKIN
- Formication, 21.
- Itching in face, shoulder, abdomen, and feet, relieved by scratching, 44.
- Itching of nose continually, 44.
- Itching of the sole of the foot, 44.
SLEEP AND DREAMS
- Sleepiness.
- Sleepiness (after one hour), 11.
- Sleepiness, drowsiness, 44.
- Day sleepiness, 1. [830.]
- Excessive sleepiness, 1.
- Great sleepiness in the afternoon, 1.
- Became sleepy without any previous excitement or exhilaration; it is a muddled state (after four hours), 5.
- More than usually sleepy in the evening (after fourteen hours), 5.
- Felt sleepy, for some time (after two and a half hours), 12.
- Drowsiness, with cold feeling of back of head and neck, as though air blew thereon, 44.
- Great drowsiness, even in daytime (second day), 7.
- Species of interrupted drowsiness, 40.
- Felt drowsy, and fell asleep in arm-chair (after two hours), 14.
- In morning felt drowsy, and still under the influence of the drug; the drowsiness lasted till 1.30 P.M., with alternate waking and sleeping, but the waking was a pleasant dreamy state (second day), 8. [840.]
- On going to bed fell into a drowsy state, in which he imagined that the finger-nails of both hands were about the size of plates, very curved, but otherwise of natural shape; on opening and shutting the fingers (subjective or objective?) they seemed to slide over one another like a fan; and on tapping them against a hard surface (subjective or objective?) a delicious sensation was produced, 8.
- Feeling of sleep; could easily sleep if he were to lie down and give way to the feeling; but when necessary he could always rouse himself (after four hours), 13.
- Strong inclination to sleep, and therefore hurried to bed, without undressing, 27.
- Stronger disposition to sleep, which continued for half an hour (after six and two-thirds hours), 13.
- Was obliged to yield himself to sleep (after four hours), 5.
- Indisposition to rise in the morning, 1.
- Frequent intervals of sleep (after one hour), 33.
- Seemed to go to sleep now and then for a few moments, which, however, appeared very much prolonged, with pleasant dreams; then woke up, and wrote down these notes, .
FEVER
- Chilliness.
- Loss of animal heat, 1.
- Coldness of surface (soon after), 36.
- Shivering (first day), 7.
- A pleasant cooling seemed suddenly to affect the whole body, 24.
- Coldness and shivering, with external heat (second day), 7.
- General chilliness, 1.
- Hard shaking chill, with the following symptoms: loud chattering of the teeth; coldness of the body and extremities; profuse cold sweat; tired feeling in the limbs, with aching in the joints; dry mouth, with thick white sticky saliva; intense thirst; drinking of large quantities of water; staggering and falling on attempting to walk; thumping in the head and heart; inability to rise from a stooping position on account of a crushing weight on the cerebellum, neck, and shoulder; blindness, with the exception of a small point immediately where he looks; extremely slow and full pulse; seeming descent of the ceiling to crush him; earnest belief that he is dying, but cannot cry for help; falling to the floor and lying for some time unconscious; sleeping for three nights and three days afterwards, 1.
- 9 A.M., and icy coldness across the root of nose, comes on when leaning forward writing, goes away when moving about (third day), 44.
- Coldness of the face, nose, and hands, after dinner, 1. [900.]
- Coldness of the right hand , with stiffness and numbness of the right thumb, 1.
- Coldness of the hands, feet, and especially of the nose, after dinner, with shivering, shaking, and inability to get warm, 1.
- Extremities, upper and lower, cold, at times trembling, 20.
- Heat.
- The heat of the body was increased, 20.
- In the cold, 2° F. below zero, he does not feel cold, although nearly undressed, 19.
- Did not feel cold, while those who were walking with him, and wrapped in mantles, were complaining of it, 26.
- Sensation of heat, 21.
- Pleasant sensation of warmth, beginning in the spine and extending all thought the body (after one hour), .
CONDITIONS
- Aggravation.
- ( Morning ), Tongue white, etc.; before rising, mucus on tongue; hawks up lumps.
- ( Afternoon ), Easily excited, etc.; sleepiness.
- ( Evening ), Pains in urethra.
- ( Night ), Injection of the conjunctiva ; when lying down, rumbling in bowels; frequent micturition.
- ( Ascending stairs ), Oppression of chest.
- ( When in bed ), Dryness of mouth, etc.
- ( When breathing ), Stitches in hypochondrium.
- ( Candlelight ), Obliterates consciousness.
- ( Coffee ), The symptoms, especially those of the brain.
- ( After dinner ), Coldness of face , etc.; coldness of hands, etc.
- ( While eating ), Stomach feels swollen, etc.
- ( Grinding teeth ), Pain in teeth.
- ( When laughing ), Pain in kidneys.
- ( When lying down ), Singing in ears.
- ( While lying on back ), Pain in leg.
- ( On motion ), Eructations.
- ( On rising ), Vertigo, etc.
- ( Shaking head ), Fulness in cerebellum, etc.
- ( When sitting ), Small, etc., beats of the heart.
- ( On falling asleep ), Sensation in brain.
- ( Spirituous liquors ), The symptoms, especially of the brain.
- ( On stooping ), Dizziness; small, etc., beats of heart.
- ( In the sun ), Headache.
SUPPLEMENT: CANNABIS INDICA. Authorities.
28 , Th. Gautier, History of Dreams, Visions, etc., Brierre de Boismont, M.D., Phil., 1855, chap. xiv, p. 334 (S. A. Jones, Am. Hom., Obs., vol. xii, 1875, p. 409); 46 , (Berridge), Pharm. Journ. and Trans., 1841, vol. vi., p. 127, a medical friend tried it in several cases; 47 , (Berridge), La Presse, June 22d, 1845, two dervishes took it after concluding their prayers; 48 , (Berridge), Mr. Bartlett, Pharm. Journ. and Trans., 1847, vol. vi, p. 70, a young man took a small dose of extract; 49 , (Berridge), Chas F. Hodson, Med. Times and Gaz., 1852, vol. iv, p. 450, a boy took 1 to 1 1/2 grains extract five or six times daily for tetanus; 50 , Bost. Med. and Surg. Journ, vol. xlvii, 1852, p. 218, a druggist took 6 grains; 51 , History of Dreams, Visous, etc., Brierre de Boismont, M.D., Phil., 1855, chap xiv, p. 334 (S. A Jones, Am. Hom. Obs., vol. xii, 1875, p. 409); 52 , Jonh G. Bell, M.D., Bost Med. and Surg. Journ., vol. lvi, 1857, p. 211, took a moderately large dose of extract with coffee; 53 , Obs. sur Le Chanvre Indigène, by Prosper Albert, Strasbourg, 1859, took 0.03 grm.; 54 , ibid., took 0.02 grm.; 55 , ibid., M. L. took 0.03 grm.; 56 , ibid., M. L. took 0.15 grm.; 57 , ibid., M. C. took 25 miligrams; 58 , ibid., same, took 0.35 grm.; 59 , F. H. Brown, M.D., bost. Med and Surg. Journ., vol. lxvii 1862, p. 291, C. C. took 6 grains of solid extract within one hour and a quarter; 60 , (Berridge), Mr. Sherly Hibbard, Intell. Obs., 1863, vol. ii, p. 435, took about a drachm on a July evening; 61 , G. B. Kuykendall, M.D., Phil. Med. and Surg. Rep., vol. xxxii, 1875, p. 421, took about 1 grain just before dinner; 62 , Berridge, U. S. Med. Invest., 1876, N. S., vol. iv, p. 574, Mr. --- took 1 drachm of tinct; 63 , Mr. Maximovitch, Meditsinsky Vestorick (Hom. World, vol. xii, 1877, p. 226); 64 , (Berridge), David Urquhart, The Pillars of Hercules, vol. ii, p. 122; , Berridge, Organon, vol. i, 1878, p. 335, Madden and Desgenettes, general effects.
MIND
- I soon became conscious of a sense of disappointment. I said, "That was not Hasheesh, but some preparation of chocolate." I took my pen to write an indignant letter to my friend who had procured it, that he might know that I had not become an easy dupe to his plan for deceiving me. I was at a loss how to begin the letter, though otherwise always ready at writing, even when fatigued, as I then was, from sitting up two successive nights reading Jacob Behmen. For a moment I paused, considering, and then the parietal bones expanded widely, as if parting at the sutures, and again collapsed with a sort of shuffling sound. I said, "This is the result of fatigue; I have read too hard, I will go to bed." As I rose from my table I became conscious of an agreeable state of warmth and lightness, I felt as if I had taken Scotch whiskey. The room seemed larger than usual, and getting larger and larger still; some skulls of animals on the walls acquired colossal proportions, and the conviction entered my mind that I had realized an old dream of living in the midst of the monsters of the colitic period, and that I had been awestruck for years, immovable, paralyzed, and with every faculty benumbed except that of wonder! I caught sight of my watch hanging in front of some papers on the wall, and it at once dispelled the illusion. I calmly looked at it, and found it was just twenty minutes since I took the Hasheesh. Immediately the watch expanded to vast dimensions, and its ticking sounded through my head like the pulsation of a world. I knew now for the first time that I was under the influence of the drug, and began to make a few notes in pencil. Suddenly my limbs seemed benumbed, my toes shrunk within my slippers, my fingers became like the long legs of a convulsed spider; I dropped the pencil and walked to the window. The landscape was so sublime that I forgot the cause of the illusion in my admiration of the magical scene. The horizon was removed to an infinite distance, but was still discernible, and the sunset had marked it out with myriads of fiery circles, all revolving, mingling together, expanding, and then changing to an aurora, which shot up to the zenith and fell down in sparks and splashes among the trees, which at once became illuminated, and the whole scene was grand beyond description, with fires of every conceivable color. All this time the landscape continued to expand; everything grew, as I looked on, to greater and greater proportions. Trees shot up higher and higher, their branches overspread the sky; they met together and became a confused mass; the lights, which just before had glowed on every hand, changed to a general purple haze. A sense of twitching in every limb, coupled with a feeling of weariness and depression, caused me to turn aside and sit down. The twitching changed to a sharp pricking sensation, most violent in the extremities, and for the moment the thought occurred to me that I had been poisoned by Strychnine. I opened a drawer to find an emetic, but the drawer had gone, and in its place sat one of my antediluvian monsters grinning at me, a real ichthyosaurus, with a red cap on its head, and with drum and pandean pipes. For about six weeks, so at the time I determined the period, it played a monotonous tune, while I sat on the ground laughing and enjoying the idea of my fingers and toes being elongated into claws, when suddenly the thought seized me that I would destroy the illusion by an effort. I dashed at the monster, and my head fell on the handle of the drawer. The dream was dissolved; I could clearly understand the ticking of my watch, and the singing of a bird in the garden, were the real sounds which my fancy had changed to drums and pipes of my oolitic companion. I once more looked at my watch, and though years seemed to have elapsed since the spell began, I found the real period to be but twenty-five minutes. This last act of observing the time again threw me off my balance, I said, "Twenty-five minutes, twenty-five days, twenty-five months, twenty-five years, twenty-five centuries, twenty-five æons; now I know it all, I am the alchemist who discovered the elixir of life in the dark ages, and I shall live forever. What is time to me? Yes, that was the elixir I took twenty-five minutes ago to experience a sensation, and there it goes round the room." It made me giddy to see it whirl like a wheel, of which I was the centre. There was a bust of Milton on the shelf, which had changed to the face of Jacob Behmen, and it sat on one of the spokes of the wheels, and smiled upon me with such a smile of peace and satisfaction that I shouted "Ha, ha!" The wheel revolved; it became brilliant with fiery coruscations; and by degrees the centre where I sat became the circumference, and I was whirled with it, my head opening and shutting, so that I could feel the cold air on my brain; my breath getting short and difficult, my chest falling, as if crushed by a weight, and my stomach gnawed by rats. This went on for ages; yet I knew all the while where I was, and how the whole thing had happened, and actually got up, rang the bell and ordered some coffee, though not for an instant did the illusion cease, nor, so far I ever learnt, did the servant who answered me discover any signs of my aberration. I thought of the coffee as likely to relieve the sense of oppression and disorder, which was now fast dispelling the illusion by its reality. I felt my pulse and tried to count it. I knew afterwards that it was full and rapid; but at the time the throbs were like the heaving of mountains, and the numbers would multiply themselves, so that as I counted "one, two, three," they became "one, two, three years, centuries, ages," and I literally shrieked with the overpowering thought that I had lived from all eternity, and should live to all eternity, in a palace of colored stalactites, supported by shafts of emerald resting on a sea of liquid gold, for this was now the appearance of things, and the gnawing at my stomach suggested the idea that I should be starved to death, and yet live the deformed wreck of a deluded man. At this moment there was a tap at the door, and the servant entered with the coffee. It was in a huge tankard, chased all over with dragons, that extended all round the world, and I saw the odor of it play round her in circles of light, and for at least an hour she stood smiling and hesitating where to place it, because my table was covered with papers. I very removed a few of the papers, and heaved a sigh that dissipated the dragons, made the odors fall in a shower of rain, and she put down the tray with a crash that made every bone in my body vibrate, as if struck by ten thousand hammers. I know not whether she was alarmed at my appearance, but she stood apparently aghast, and her rosy face expanded to the size of a balloon, and away she went with the rapidity of lightning, with Mr. Green in the car, and I stood applauding in the midst of thousands of lamps, which I had time to note, as the scene continued during a period which seemed indefinite, were all glow-worms, which I could touch, and they communicated to my fingers phosphorescent sparks, as if they had been rubbed with Lucifer matches. [Only a few days before I had some glow-worms in the garden, and on handling them, found my fingers tipped with a dull phosphoric glow. This probably gave rise to the illusion. In fact, I afterwards traced many of my sensations during the paroxysm to previous events, and almost believe the illusions are the result of abnormal memory.] But I knew this was unreal, and I drank the coffee with the most perfect composure, though I felt it difficult to pour it out without spilling it, and the cup came to my lips as if it were the rim of a caldron, seething with a stew of spices and nepenthe; and amid the steam I could see the fierceness and tartness and prima materia of Jacob Behmen, all displayed, so that there was an end of the mystery, and I could see into his brain, as he now seemed to be looking into mine. The moment I sipped the coffee it darted through me, and caused sensation of insupportable heat. The gnawing sensation of stomach and contraction of chest gave way to a sense of pricking, most violent in fingers and toes, and yet, though painful, this was all pleasant; and though I could now collectively observe the objects around me, yet they would transport themselves to immeasurable distances, and keep continually dilating in size; and though I looked at my watch, and saw that only forty minutes had elapsed, yet there was a secret persuasion in my mind that a period of at least forty centuries had gone by since I broke off a fragment of Hasheesh, and committed myself to this dream. There seemed to be now only one effect of the drug remaining, and that was a sense of warmth all over the body, and a tendency in my head to expand and fill the room. But my arms dropped down; I could not keep them up without great and painful effort. I finished the coffee, experienced less of the pricking sensation than at first, and then rose and went to bed. I could walk without difficulty, though my legs were immensely long, and felt as if they would presently be cramped, so that I should cry out. As I undressed myself, my clothes would fly from me far away into boundless space, and become wandering stars; the buttons of my vest glittered in the firmament like Orion, but much more vast and splendid. I did not dare to look out of the window. I endeavored to control myself, for I began to feel a sense of dread. As I got into bed the bed extended. As I lay down at full length, I myself extended; and as soon as I shut my eyes I felt that I covered the space of the whole earth. I had a sense of indescribable pain all over me. My skin seemed to move to and fro upon my flesh; my head swelled to awful dimensions, and I parted in two from head to foot; became two persons, each throbbing, breathing hard, sighing loudly, and lost in a commixture of ethereal, yet agonizing, colors and sounds. These seemed to continue for ages; but I was really asleep, and I never could call to mind at what time I went to bed, or at what point the illusion sleep came upon me, but I always supposed it to be when I felt myself parted in twain, and immersed in light and music. The next day I woke early, and seemingly unrefreshed. I lay some hours pondering upon the strange effects the drug had produced, and found it difficult for some time to prevent the intrusion of some broken fragments of the visions from taking possession of me; but when I had dressed and breakfasted I felt as well as usual. In a second experiment, when unaffected by fatigue, I noticed that every physical and mental power seemed intensified. The illusions were more agreeable and more ridiculous. I was the subject of a thousand different moods in the course of a few seconds, which, as in the former case, seemed ages; and these moods were nearly always swallowed up in some strange vision of walls receding, landscapes rolling away to a horizon they never reached, skies opening to views of boundless space, and sudden flashes before the eyes of visible odors, sounds, and ideas. The most remarkable feature of this paroxysm was a feeling that my soul was too large for my body, and must expand it to suitable dimensions. This pained me. I gasped for my breath, and felt my skin stretch and crack, and my joints fly like the snapping of huge beams of timber. These illusions became instantly the foundation ot others. The cracking of my skin became suddenly a display of fireworks, and the snapping of my joints the beating of gongs. Still pleasurable sensations prevailed; old memories were revived as pictures; and in many respects the effects resembled those of
Opium . But with Opium there is a more entire and settled acquiescence of the illusions, and the ideas are more continuous and connected. With Hasheesh there is a rapid succession of new scenes and startling combinations. Where there is no pain, the mind is literally whirled away in a succession of ravishing delights, and is yet all the while conscious that the whole affair is a deception. This paroxysm was soon over. It ended in a joyous feeling, in which life seemed lengthened out beyond the natural term, and all around me were objects of transcendent beauty, which I had the power of resolving into realities by an effort of the will; and it seemed that by successively using this effort the spell was broken, and the effect of the drug entirely destroyed. The third dose (of 4 scruples) was the last. I took it at midday, when in usual health and spirits. I at once went out and proceeded across Finsbury Square, in the direction of the city. It seemed that about a quarter of an hour had elapsed, during which I had a comfortable sense of warmth and an increasing tendency to open my mouth for air, though I was not aware of any difficulty of breathing. "Now," said I, "this is pleasant; I shall have a glorious time of it." Immediately a voice shouted, "There he goes, he always inflated." I was at once conscious that I was observed by passers-by to be expanding rapidly, and I felt myself rise from the ground and walk above it. I halted, and by an effort of the mind, collected myself, and found that the voice was that of a man selling some wares in Moorgate Street, who had not even noticed me, nor had any one else. But the thought occurred immediately, "This is a delusion; I am expanding, and cannot touch the ground." For a moment, it might be, but it seemed an indefinite period, I saw the whole city spread out before me as a diorama. The church bells rang joyously; the houses were illuminated; the horses had gold and silver trappings; the people were waltzing, singing, laughing, and playing with fireworks. I again exerted my will, and felt a disgust at the meanness of such a performance, so far short did it come of my own sense of sublimity; for I felt exalted, and had the utmost consciousness that I was able to separate the false from the true, though I really could not. I retraced my steps, and was accompanied home by triumphal bands of music, shouts of triumph, running footmen carrying colored flambeaux; and I gradually quickened my pace till I ran too, only touching the ground at intervals, but for the most part swimming through the air; yet knowing that I walked as other people, and knowing too that the ordinary sounds and scenes of streets were the foundation of the delusion. I reached my home and went to my study, with a sense of satisfaction that I was now in a safer position than in the streets under such an influence. I sat down and began to fill a pipe with Turkey tobacco. The pipe would lengthen out so that I could not reach the bowl, yet I did reach it; and, in like manner, the tobacco-jar seemed deep enough to serve for one of those used in "Ali Baba, or the Forty Thieves;" and it suddenly became a row of jars, and out of them leaped the forty thieves, with monkeys' faces and red jackets on. [I had seen a monkey on a barrel-organ during my walk, and tested my sanity by noting all its zoological features, in order to determine its species, but I lost it suddenly.] I lighted my pipe, and as the cloud rose, I saw all the party had lighted their pipes, and were all proper Arabs, and I was in the midst about to tell them a tale. By some strange freak they all suddenly collapsed, and became the double of myself, and yet they continued smoking. I now saw in the stomach of my double a huge cake of Hasheesh, which presently shot up into his brain, and I felt a hot throbbing of the head, and the thought occurred, "Why, if he has the Hasheesh, have I the burning, and how can that shadow smoke so calmly with a mass of poison in his brain?" I rose and propounded my double a problem, "How in the end, matter and spirit would be completely identified and made as one?" I was assured, in reply, that a sense of lightness would accomplish all, and I became as light as a feather; I swayed to and fro, I was lifted up, sparks flashed in my eyes, fire was emitted from my fingers, head, and stomach, and presently there was an awful crash, and I came to myself with the though that I was going mad. I saw the pipe in fragments at my feet, and the burning tobacco on the hearth-rug. I coolly picked it up with my hand, took another pipe, dropped the smoking tobacco into it, and saw my double again. This time he was the body and I was the shadow. I felt myself to be nothing. I was the soul, and beside me was the body. I thought I had now solved the problem of matter and spirit; I said, "They are only two forms of the same fact;" and I laughed aloud, and they all laughed with me, the umbrellas I mean, for my umbrella hung on a hat-rail, and it peopled the room with offspring; and away went the furniture and ornaments and books, all carrying umbrellas, dancing, whistling, and splashing water from the pools upon me, till I stamped my foot and smothered myself with sparks and planets and auroras, and sank back with a pain in the head that literally dispelled the delusions, and created a momentary alarm. I was now beset with prickings; I seemed to swell; I had a difficulty in breathing, and yet it was a pleasant one. I put the tobacco away, inspected everything about me, and thought of trying the effects of reading aloud and attempting to sing; but I found my strength gone, I was spellbound, so light I could not govern my movements, and by degrees I began to discover that the illusion was over, that it had left me tremulous, and with a low pulse, and requiring refreshment for my recovery. The first act, on fairly reviewing the case, was to seize the fragment of Hasheesh which remained and fling it up the chimney. It went up, and did not even return again. I saw it go into the sky, and become a bird, for the chimney was glass, and I could see through all its windings. I now felt that madness had really come upon me, and I began to bathe my temples and drink soda-water, and soon discovered that I had had a second paroxysm, for there lay the Hasheesh among the shavings in the fireplace. I applied a match; there was a glorious blaze; and I now saw it dissolve into a grand procession of colored lights, that died away and left me quietly and collectedly reflecting on the whole affair. This was the third paroxysm. There was yet one more, but of a trivial nature, and I had now done with Hasheesh, .
- About half an hour after taking the medicine I was at the dinner-table, and we were all laughing and jesting, and enjoying our dinner meal with more levity than usual, I taking the lead in the merriment. I was just about finishing dinner, when suddenly I felt a thrill pass through me; the room and the dining-table seemed to rise up and swing, or float about. There was a sensation of lightness and dreaminess connected with everything. I had been conversing, but in the beginning of these sensations had leaned upon my elbow on the table, which attracted the attention of my wife, who asked what pained me. I answered that there was no pain, but that I experienced a peculiar kind of sensation which I hoped would soon pass away. Summoning up my will, I arose and walked into the parlor, and took a seat, and tried to compose myself; but the sensations continued to come on. For as few seconds after the first thrill, I thought all was going to pass off, but now the symptoms were increasing in intensity I arose and went to the glass to look at myself, and to notice the appearance of the pupils of my eyes. Up to this time I would not relieve I was under the influence of Cannabis. My condition rapidly grew worse, worse, I say, for my sensations were of the most disagreeable and horrible nature possible. I felt as if reason was being hurled by violence from its throne. Sensations and states of consciousness, rather than ideas, were wildly passing through my mind. I said to my wife, "I am in a terrible situation, something must be done." I called for an emetic. While it was being prepared, I was all the time becoming more and more restless and agitated. I arose and walked out into the hall, and thought to myself what is the use of me running around like a wild man, and returned and sat down in my chair, but could not be easy. The emetic was brought and I swallowed it. I then said, "Give me some warm water," and started for the kitchen. Some one proposed a hot foot-bath of mustard-water; I said, "Yes, let it be got immediately." A few minutes more and I was in the kitchen, before the stove, with my feet in a boiler of hot water. By this time my condition was awful in the extreme. My own voice sounded strangely to me when I spoke, while the voices of those about me sounded as if obscured by a gauze or veil over my senses; the sounds seemed far off, dreamy, and unreal. I was beginning to have a sort of double or even triple consciousness. It seemed as if I were living three lives at once. Anything spoken to me, immediately seemed to have an age ago. The few movements I made were governed by the will, and yet they seemed automatic, as I could not feel myself move. Indeed, I seemed to have lost my body and become all dreamy imagination. I moved occasionally, but had no physical sense of doing so. After swallowing a quantity of warm water, I unbuttoned my vest, but did not even seem to touch the buttons, and yet I must have had some sense of feeling, for I did not watch the movements of my hands. I saw with my eyes, but nothing was natural. I looked at the wall and objects around; an impression was made upon the sensorium and the visual impression seemed hurried off at lightning speed, then immediately the same impression was made with some different phase, while an age almost seemed to intervene between these changing states of consciousness. A moment seemed an eternity; the most terrible depression came on. My mental states and sensations seemed to move in circles. Rapidly, smoothly, and noiselessly, I seemed to be carried down a psychical maelstrom. The voices about me sounded in my ears as a dull dreamy droning, although I understood all that was said. Dissolution seemed imminent. Rapidly I was sinking down the horrid maelstrom of my own imagination, each revolution bringing me nearer to the pointed bottom below, which I thought would be death. I still could get out, by great effort of the will, as it seemed to me, short sentences; but when I spoke only three words, before the third was uttered the first seemed to be far in the distant past. When I spoke, I seemed as if started from a dream; a flash of light came before my eyes, and everything seemed to rise up suddenly before me. I remember that the floor seemed to be sloping up before me, and pitching off behind. I now labored fully under a triple consciousness, two dreamy and unreal, and underlying these, apparently, was my real self, obscured by the intoxication upon me. I seemed to pass successively from one state of consciousness to another. When in one state, I remembered the successive changes of sensation in that state that had occurred previously. Noise or movement seemed to transfer me immediately to another state of consciousness. In this new state, the recollection of the sensations in the other state were dim and soon forgotten, while I seemed to remember back in the line of consciousness in which I there was. Through all these wonderful psychical phenomena, I preserved a good degree of rationality. I remember distinctly to have reflected, "What is my condition?" "How long is it going to last?" I told the attendants Ipecac, would not vomit me, to get mustard and water. When they were going to give me lemonade, I tasted it, and said, "It is not sour enough, put in Citric acid, it is the acid that is antidote to the Hasheesh." During all the time I was sitting stupidly in a chair, before the stove, making but few movements. I lost all correct idea of time; a moment seemed an age. I thought they would never get the mustard for me. After drinking the mustard mixture I called for warm water, and thought they would never get it ready, and called for it, as I thought, about once every fifteen minutes, supposing they had forgotten to bring it. My wife says I spoke incessantly, repeating my request as fast as I could. As recollect now, it seems to me I called only three or four times for anything, and then at long intervals. I still seemed to be sinking down into the maelstrom, and was nearing the apex below, when suddenly I gave a retch, and began to vomit. While in the very act of straining to vomit I felt more natural, because, I suppose of the change of circulation within the cerebrum. The vomiting over, I felt I was about gone, and said, as it seemed to me, with an awful effort, "Put me in bed, I shall know nothing in a few minutes more." At one time I really thought I was entering the world beyond, and was wondering how things would appear, when something changed the current of my ideas. Just as I started to bed, I had reached the climax of wretchedness. A few minutes before I had taken some lemon-juice, which they brought me instead of the Citric acid solution I had called for, and now the symptoms seemed to begin to abate. The revolving panorama of sensations seemed to move more slowly, and each revolution appeared to bring me back, up, more to the light, and to myself again. I was now in bed, had walked from the kitchen, but did not feel the floor; with a feeling of relief, I said, "I shall get all right again." My hands now began to become cold, and then my feet, and I requested to be kept warm, and asked to have my hands rubbed. From this on I dozed in a dreamy, intoxicated manner; for a few seconds I lost myself in sleep, and then started up, seeming to have just completed another round, ascending the same spiral maelstrom which I had previously descended; still I had no correct idea of time; my hands were still cold, and I asked the attendants to chafe them, and then dropped into a doze, and after, as it seemed to me, half or three-quarters of an hour, I aroused and repeated the request. Those who were attending me say I was incessantly repeating the request. They put warm bricks to my feet, and I immediately dozed off again, and in less than half a minute asked them to put something warm to my foot, saying I was nearly frozen. I was reminded that it had already been done a moment before. I remembered the circumstance, but it seemed to have been at least two or three hours before. From this on the symptoms of intoxication gradually abated. After dark, at 7 o'clock, I could converse very readily, but time dragged very slowly. Toward morning I slept somewhat more naturally, but was nervous, and felt achings in my back and neck, and soreness of my sides, from vomiting. Next morning my appetite was poor, my head ached, and I felt dull all day, much the same, I imagine, as a man after a drunken spree. During the whole operation of the medecine the pupils of my eyes were natural, and after the first few minutes the color of my face was the same as usual. My pulse was at first rapid and strong, afterwards not so strong, but faster than common; my hands and feet were cool, from the end of the first to the middle of the third hour. At no time was there any disposition to spasmodic movements of any kind; the disposition was rather to lie inactive and quiet. I was about six hours under the influence of the drug, but the climax of the symptoms was reached in about an hour and a quarter, .
Italian , which the hasheesh by its extraordinary power delivered to me in Spanish. Questions and answers most rational, and touched on different matters, such as the theatres and literature. The first stage drew towards, its termination. After some minutes I recovered my calmness, without headache, or any the symptoms which accompany the use of wine, and feeling very much astonished at what had occurred, when I again fell under the influence of the hasheesh. The vision this time was more complicated and extraordinary. Millions of butterflies, whose wings rustled like fans, flew about in the midst of a confused kind of light. Gigantic flowers, with crystal calyxes, enormous hollyhocks, gold and silver lilies arose, and burst into flowers around me with a crackling sound like that of bouquets of fireworks. My hearing was prodigiously developed. I heard the sound. of color; green, red, blue, and yellow sounds struck me with perfect distinctness. A glass upset, the creaking of a chair, or word spoken, however low, vibrated and resounded like rolling thunder; my own voice appeared so loud that I dared not speak for fear of throwing down the walls or bursting like a bomb; more than five hundred clocks chimed the hour with their flutelike voices. Every object gave forth gave forth a note of the harmonica or Æolian harp. I swam in an ocean of sound, wherein some passages of the
Lucia an Barbiere floated like little isles of light. Never before had I bathed in such beatitude; I was so encircled by its waves, so transported from all things earthly, so lost to self, that odious, ever-present witness, that I comprehended for the first time what might be the existence of elementary spirits and angels, and souls released from this mortal coil. I was as a sponge in the midst of the sea; every instant waves of happiness washed over me, entering and departing through the pores; for I had become permeable, and even to the smallest capillary vessel my whole being was filled with the color of the fantastic medium in which I was plunged. Sounds, perfumes and light reached me by multitudes of beams, delicate as a hair, through which I heard the magnetic current pass. According to my calculation this state must have lasted for three hundred years, for the sensations succeeded each other so numerously and powerfully that the real appreciation of time was impossible. When the attack was over, I perceived that it had lasted a quarter of an hour. What is very curious in the intoxicating effect of the hasheesh is that it is not continuous; it comes and goes suddenly, raises you to heaven and places you again on earth, without any gradual transition; like madness, it has its lucid intervals. A third attack, the last and strangest, terminated my Oriental soiree. In this my sight was doubled. Two images of each object were reflected on my retina, and produced a complete symmetry; but soon, the magic paste being entirely digested, acted with more power on my brain, and I became completely mad for the space of an hour. All kinds of Pantagruelic dreams passed through my fancy; goat-suckers, storks, striped geese, unicorns, griffins, nightmares, all the menageries of monstrous dreams, trotted, jumped, flew, or glided through the room. These wore horns terminating in foliage, webbed hands; whimisical beings, with the feet of the arm-chair for legs, and dial-plates for eyeballs; enormous noses dancing the Cachuca, mounted on chickens' legs. For myself, I imagined I was the paroquet of the Queen of Sheba, and imitated, to the best of my ability, the voice and cries of that interesting bird. The visions became so grotesque that I was seized with a desire to sketch them, which I did in five minutes, with inconceivable rapidity, on the backs of letters, cards, or any pieces of paper on which I could lay my hands. One of them is the portrait of Dr. ---, as he appeared to me seated at the piano, dressed as a Turk, with a sun painted on the back of his vest. The notes are represented escaping from the instrument in the form of guns ans spirals, capriciously intertwisted. Another sketch bears this inscription; "An animal of hereafter." It represents a living locomotive, with a swan's neck terminating in the jaws of a serpent, whence issue jets of smoke, with two monstrous paws composed of wheels and pulleys; each pair of paws has a pair of wings, and on the tail of the animal is seated the Mercury of the ancients, who is confessing himself to be conquered, notwithstanding his heels. Thanks to hasheesh, I have painted from nature the portrait of a goblin. Even now I fancy I hear them whining and mowing at night in my old buffet, .
- For two hours no results at all were experienced. At this time a dryness seemed to commence at a particular spot in the throat, and a feeling of warmth throughout the abdomen. These were not the results of disordered sensation, for a clammy mucus soon began to be secreted, though the huskiness of the throat still remained. Up to this time there was not the slightest excitement or confusion of thought. Suddenly, however, an idea, having no connection with the train of thought passing in the mind at the time, appeared, as though suggested by another person, and then was gone again as suddenly as it came, leaving upon the mind the same feeling as when one escapes from a dream or a deep revery. The same thing was repeated two or three times, at intervals rapidly diminishing in length. Even now I can hardly believe but it was the result of strained attentions to my physical sensations, for the gentle warmth of the abdomen was rapidly becoming a burning heat; still, however, not by any means unpleasant, and the dryness of the throat extended to the tongue. I had taken this drug with great skepticism as to its reputed action, or at any rate, that it was greatly exaggerated, and I accordingly made up my mind not to be "caught napping" in this way again, and to keep careful watch over my thoughts. But while enforcing this resolution, as I supposed, I found myself, to my own astonishment, waking from a revery longer and more profound than any previous. From skepticism to the fullest belief of all I had read, was but a step. Its effects so far surpassed anything which words can convey, that I began to think I was on the verge of narcotic poison; yet, strange to say, there was not the slightest feeling of inquietude on that account. I resolved to walk into the street. While rising from the chair, another lucid interval showed that another dream had come and gone. While passing through the door, I was aware of having wandered again, but how or when I had permitted myself to fall into the revery, I was perfectly unconscious, and knew only that it seemed to have lasted an interminable length of time. These singular attacks of mental disturbance recurred often, and lasted longer, till the lucid interval between them was reduced to a mere instant's conscious duration of thought. This condition came on so rapidly, that in less than fifteen minutes from the time of my being aware of the first mental disturbance, the power of controlling the thoughts was almost completely lost. All ideas of time and space were especially bewildered, and I realized completely for the first time the idea of some metaphysicians, that time, properly speaking, has no existence except in connection with a succession of mental operations or sensations. The most trivial circumstance, the slightest noise, gave rise to trains of thought, which went bounding from subject to subject, completely emancipated from the rules which ordinarily govern mental operations, till suddenly some other circumstance would give an entirely new direction to them, and the last series of imaginations would seem to have lasted from eternity, even while the eye was fixed upon the clock, the hand of which had not perceptibly moved.
Majoun as a sweetmeat. Some hours passed without any visible effects, when a musician, who had the faculty of strangely distorting his features, came in dressed as a mummer. The clergyman took him for the devil, and a most laughable scene ensued. Next morning, on inquiries after his health, he said he had slept soundly and agreeable, "as the windows and doors were bolted." Later in the day the effect disappeared entirely, and he seemed to recollect the circumstances with a confused pleasure, describing various things that had never happened. In my case I fancied my head an inverted pendulum, which it cost me a great deal of labor to keep straight, when I could resist no longer, and let it go, and it went back as if a blow had been discharged. I struggled against each relapse out of a sense of politeness towards the company, of which I did not fail to inform them, notwithstanding their roars of laughter. The back of my neck was a pivot; there was a heavy upper weight on the top of my head, and the pendulum was swinging between my legs; but the pendulum was attracted upwards to the table, and I had to struggle to keep it down by keeping my head up. The swinging fit was accompanied by bursts of laughter. I derived great pleasure from allowing my head to go back; but the laughter was unlike any mortal merriment; it seemed as never to end, and to press me, and to lead up to a mountain-top. When any one put his hand behind my head, fearing the effect of the jerks, ot that I should throw the chair over, I was very much annoyed, because it disturbed, as I said, "the isochronism of the oscillations." I afterwards saw a similar effect produced on a European who did not know what he had taken. He was constantly throwing back his head and looking at the ceiling, and exhibited no other symptom, which only made this the more ludicrous. After keeping the party for four hours in a state of continual convulsion, I became irresistibly drowsy, and was moved away to bed. This operation sickened me, and brought on a slight vomiting. The instant I was in bed I fell asleep, and slept without intermission for nine hours; and then awoke, perfectly recovered and fresh, with a feeling of lightness, and in high spirits. One of the most remarkable effects was that it seemed to lay bare your inmost thoughts, and to present a mirror on which was reflected every act of your life, and that you were constrained to reveal and confess it all. One describes the effects on a party thus: "We were eight, and seven took to laughing, and one to crying, and the more he cried the more we laughed, and the more we laughed the more he cried, and so we spent the night, and in the morning we went to bed." The master of a Portuguese vessel to whom it was given without his being aware of its nature, thought himself bewitched, and his crew were on the point of securing him as deranged. He saw a ship stranded on the bar, and ordered out his boats to her assistance; he then saw the devil cooking in the caboose, and with the demeanor of an insane person, was all the while reasoning on the evidences of his insanity, .
- At 6.58 P.M. I took 0.6 gram of Egyptian Hasheesh, and half an hour after 0.4 gram in addition. Before taking, pulse 72, at 7.10, pulse 80. First sensation, pendulum-like oscillations in the head. 7.20, pulse 84; a feeling of flow of blood towards the upper part of head, and a strange sensation of contraction, and a kind of collapse within myself; the pendulum-like oscillations in the head increasing. 7.40, an irresistible inclination to laugh, loud laughter, without any particular cause, tendency to rapid movements; pulse 84. I took several quick turns up and down the room, and then sat down. 7.55, a feeling of heat and pricking in the head, sensation of coldness and numbness in the extremities, which are cold to the touch, and an indefinite feeling of melancholy and uneasiness; occasional starts, without any visible cause, like those of electric shocks; pulse 96. Playing on the piano, performed by one of those present, produced a magical effect; it seemed as if the sounds were wafted from a great distance, that every sound had its peculiar life, a special fulness and expressiveness; the sounds seemed to come with fearful rapidity from an endless distance, and to be reflected immediately in the ear; in a word, an ordinary performance seemed equal to that of some eminent pianist, and I thought myself a refined and profound connoisseur, calmly enjoying the playing of some distinguished musician. 8.10, pulse 104, full; the sensation of heat in the head and pricking in the temples increased; I seemed to hear a loud noise, like that of a waterfall; suddenly the nature of the noise changed, and it seemed to proceed from a number of vehicles driving in the street; then again the noise became like what is heard at the close of a performance at a theatre, the rumbling of vehicles, shouts of men, all combining into one general roar; these sounds suddenly disappeared, and give place to the booming of cannon, and reports of guns at a manœuvre. I cut these sensations short by the force of my will, and took a quick turn in the room. I felt a violent thirst. After drinking a glass of water, I sat down on the sofa, and closed my eyes at 8.30. Scarcely had I done so, when I felt a remarkable buoyancy and flexibility in all my body; before my eyes appeared a whole series of variously-tinted luminous figures, rapidly vanishing; their shapes being in the highest degree undefined; then appeared a row of more or less well-defined shapes. The most varied and most luxuriant pictures of nature ever seen by me in reality or in drawings, transported me into a magical world; I thought I was in some virgin forests of South America, then in some cities of Switzerland, and then amidst the ocean, and again amongst heaps of ice and snow, etc. An entire series of reminiscences of childhood, the faces of friends and acquaintances, and the faces (known to me by portraits) of authors, savants, poets, politicians, etc., all these became blended in my head, presenting a kind of phantasmagoria, and the most variegated picture. All these sensations passed rapidly and distinctly before me and I felt so enraptured that I begged to be allowed to plunge into this fantastic world, and to leave off dictating my feelings. This state lasted till 9.20. During this time those who were present observed that my face was hot, red, and moist; pulse 108. On my recovery, I got up with the intention of walking across the room, but noticed that my gait was unsteady, and that I was swerving to the left, and that the upper and lower extremities of my left side were benumbed. I drank a little water and wine. At 9.45 I experienced sharp and occasionally shooting pains in the loins and in the region of the kidneys. These pains, as well as a feeling of nausea, made my state very uncomfortable; I endeavored to induce vomiting by tickling the root of the tongue, but did not succeed. It was nearly midnight when I sat down to supper, and ate with a great appetite. At 1 A.M. I went to bed, and my first sensation was that I was flying from an enormous rock into a fearful and dark abyss. I fell asleep at once, and slept very soundly. It was 11.30 A.M. when I awoke, with a feeling of heaviness in the head, with full remembrance of the previous day, and a sensation of emptiness and incapacity for thought. Whatever I did appeared endlessly long; my words, and the conversation of others, seemed too prolonged, whereas in reality it appeared that I spoke as usual. I went out into the street to take an airing, but the farther I went the more it seemed to me that I was walking a very long time, and that the houses and people were all flying away from me. Making an effort over myself, I took the first vehicle and drove back home. On my arrival, I at once lay down and slept till evening. On awaking I felt much livelier. The urine which I had collected during the experiment had a peculiar odor, something like that of Cannabis indica. During the day, according to my own observation, as well as that of others, my face was exceedingly pale, the pupils dilated, the expression that of great illness. It was only on the next day that I was able to take to my ordinary occupations, .
HEAD
- The peculiar sensation of giddiness produced by it is increased by walking about, and subsides during rest, 46.
- Whirling in the head, 53.
- Heaviness of the head, 53, 57, 58.
- Tension and heaviness of the head, 53.
- Tension in the head, 54.
- Sensation of tension in the brain, 54, 57.
- Pressure in the temples, 58.
EYE. [920.]
- Eyes brilliant (after one hour), 55.
- Eyes injected, 53, 55, 58.
- Divergent squint, 53.
- Prickling in the margins of the lids, 57.
- Lachrymation, 55, 54, 58.
- Conjunctivitis, 49.
- Conjunctiva red, 54, 57.
- Pupils dilated (after one hour), 55, 57, 58.
- Vision confused, 54, 36.
FACE
- Face congested, 56. [930.]
- The face became red, with efforts to vomit, 53.
- Trembling of the lips, 54.
- Constriction of the jaws, 58.
- It seemed to him as if he must forcibly compress the jaws, 54.
MOUTH
- Tongue dry, 54.
- Tongue dry, covered with dry mucus, 53.
- Mouth dry, 53, 58.
- Dryness of the mouth and throat, 54.
THROAT
- Dryness of the throat, 53, 55 , etc.
- Sensation of devouring fire in the pharynx and œsophagus, 53. [940.]
- Burning in the throat on inspiring air, 53.
STOMACH
STOOL
- Next day bowels did not act, 62.
RESPIRATORY ORGANS
CHEST
- Sensation of constriction in the chest, 54.
HEART AND PULSE
- Palpitation, 54, 57.
- Intense palpitation of the heart, 53 . Pulse 100 (before taking); 140 (after one hour); 92 (after three hours), 56. [950.]
- Pulse 80, regular (before taking); became very rapid, 130, and irregular; afterwards small, contracted, 53.
- Pulse 75 (before taking); ran up to 120, became small and irregular, 54.
- Pulse 70 and regular (on taking); 115 (after one hour), 55.
- Pulse 78, regular (before taking); afterwards 120, 57.
- Pulse 72 (before taking); rose to 125, and became irregular, 58.
NECK AND BACK
EXTREMITIES
- Contractions of the arms and legs, 53.
- Sensation of stiffness in the limbs, 53.
- Trembling of the arms, 54. [960.]
- Incoordination of the movements of the lower limbs, 53.
- Involuntary contractions of the tendons of the feet, 53.
GENERALITIES
- Trembling on moving either the hands or feet, 53.
- Muscular feebleness, 52, 55, 58.
- General lassitude, 57.
FEVER
- Frequent general shuddering, 53.
- Extremities cold, 53, 54 , etc.
- Chilliness in the limbs, 54.
- Pyrexia, 49.
- Skin dry and hot, 53. [970.]
- Heat of the face, 54.
APPENDIX: CANNABIS INDICA The editor has deemed it expedient to retain the natural grouping and sequence of the following affects, recorded by Dr. Edgar Holden in his work on the sphygmograph (Philadelphia, 1874), thus preserving the association of some general symptoms with the condition of the pulse.
9.15 P.M. Feeling vigorous and well. First tracing normal, smooth, and even (not recorded), 5 grains taken.
9.35. A feeling of lightness perceptible. (Tracing 181.) Two records, at 0° and 2 1/2°. [These degrees refer to the pressure of the instrument on the artery, regulated at will; 0° equals 100 grammes; 2 1/2° equals 186 grammes; 5° equals 690 grammes.] *Diminished frequency.
10 P.M. Nervous and excited. (Tracing 182.) Two recorda at 4 1/2°. Oscillation singularly marked; tension increased; amplitude and frequency diminished.
10.05 P.M. Sudden freedom from any unusual feeling. (Tracing 183.) Two records showing a sudden return of, or rather approach to, a normal condition.
10.15 P.M. 7 grains more.
10.40 P.M. Excited. (Tracing 184.) Record at 2 1/2° shows capillary resistance and wave of recoil.
11.45 P.M. (Tracing 185.) Two records at 2 1/2° and 0° gave similar results, indicating venous impletion. Frequency increased.
11.50 P.M. Drowsy and calm. (Tracing 186.) Record at 2 1/2°.
11.55 P.M. (Tracing 187.) Record at 2 1/2°, both the latter exhibit impaired propulsive power of the heart.
Total amount, 12 grains within two hours.
November 2d, 1872, 9.15 P.M. 30 drops.
9.15 P.M. Beginning to feel an indefinable sensation of comfort. 9.20, 9.25, and 9.45 P.M. (Tracing 188.) Records all taken at the same pressure. At the latter hour the amplitude began to show increase of tension.
9.45 P.M. 40 drops more.
10 P.M. Slightly exhilarated. 10.15. Somewhat drowsy. Tracings at 9.50, 10 (tracing 189), and 10.15 P.M. (tracing 190) exhibit only increase of tension, with, at the latter hour, diminished frequency equal to ten beats.
10.20 and 10.25 P.M. (Tracing 191.) Tension and frequency variable.
10.25 P.M. All effects apparently gone. 40 drops more.
10.45 P.M. Again exhilarated. (Tracing 192.) Records exhibit great increase of arterial tension.
11 P.M. drowsy, but not pleasantly so, nor as if from desire to sleep. (Tracing 193.) Frequency greatly increased, equal to thirty beats and falling in five minutes as many; tension less.
11.05 P.M. (Tracing 194.) Record shows increased cardiac excitement at beginning of systole, with some obstruction, either proximate or distal.
Total amount, 110 drops.
November 5th, 1872, 9 P.M. Feeling well. 100 drops. Tracing normal.
9.10 P.M. (Tracing 195.) Amplitude, and therefore tension increased, frequency steadily diminishing till 9. 45. Tracings at 9.30, 9.45.
10 P.M. No effects experienced. 120 drops more.
10.10 P.M. (Tracing 196.) Diminished tension and the oscillation of cerebro-spinal implication. This tracing, by accident in transfer, fails to show this except in the first wave.
10.15 P.M. Same.
10.35 P.M. (Tracing 197.) Obstruction either proximate or remote.
10.40. (Similar to tracing 195.) Diminishing obstruction.
10.45 P.M. Very little effect. 200 drops more.
11.15 P.M. (Tracing 198.) Diminished tension and evident sedation, but frequency slightly increased.
11.18 P.M. No effect whatever. Same.
Total amount taken, 420 drops!
November 9th, 1872, 9.50 P.M. Feeling not well as usual, owing to overwork; otherwise all right. 12 grains of fresh extract taken.
10.15 P.M. A little nauseated and eyes heavy.
10 and 10.15 P.M. Tracings showed diminishing frequency and tension, and not feeling well a pressure of 0° was found to be the best for observation, instead of 2 1/2° as heretofore.
10.30 P.M. Feeling comfortable and well. (Tracing 199.) Frequency still less; pulse small, but normal, showing sedation.
10.45. Effect passing off; pulse somewhat excited. 14 grains more taken.
11.25. A few minutes exhilarated, then very drowsy, but no impairment of will.
11.25 and 11.40 P.M. (Tracings 200 and 201.) Records exhibited great weakness of cardiac power, it being difficult to obtain them even at 0°.
11.45 P.M. Drowsiness gone, and feel free from any effect. 11.45, 11.48, and 11.50 P.M. (Tracing 202.) The records taken showed a sudden decrease of frequency and tension, and equally sudden increase.
12.50. Terrific excitement, twitchings, dreams, etc.; sensations as of swelling of the head, painful insomnia and feeling of desperate recklessness.
November 10th. (Tracings taken the day following the use of the drug.)
7.50 A.M. Peculiar action of medicine still evident, head swollen, confusion of ideas, etc. Tracings small, and showing weak heart.
12.30 M. Have been asleep and feel better; influence passing off. (Tracing 203.) Same, but showing also the slight dicrotism of capillary dilatation.
Total amount taken, 26 grains. Time, two hours and forty minutes.
SYNOPSIS OF EFFECTS. First Experiment.
-5 grains, 9.15. After twenty minutes, diminished frequency; after forty-five minutes, marked cerebral disturbance, exhibited in oscillation and minimum amplitude and frequency, with increased tension.
Maximum effect of first dose in forty-five minutes . In fifty minutes sudden cessation of effect.
Seven grains, 10.15.
Maximum effect of second dose in thirty minutes . In thirty-five minutes, capillary disturbance and increased tension, with increased frequency. In forty minutes, beginning of impairment of cardic impulse, continuing two hours from administration of remedy.
Second Experiment.
-30 drops of tr., 9.15 P.M. In thirty minutes increased tension.
Forty drops more, 9.45. In sixty minutes from first dose, diminished frequency; arterial tension great. In one hour and ten minutes, irregularity in tension and frequency, with increase in prominence of waves, showing cerebro-spinal stimulation.
Forty drops more, 10.25. In one hour and forty-five minutes, great increase of frequency, equal to thirty beats; falling as many in five minutes more, with reduced tension. In one hour and fifty minutes from first dose, evidences of increased irritability of the heart, with some obstruction, either proximate or remote.
Maximum effect of tension in thirty-five minutes; of irritation in thirty-five minutes; of frequency in one hour forty-five minutes; of diminished power , one hour five minutes; of some obstruction to circulation, one hour forty-five minutes.
First Experiment.
-5 grains, 9.15. In twenty minutes, lightness. In forty-five minutes, nervousness and excitement. In fifty minutes, sudden freedom from any effect.
Seven grains, 10.15. In twenty-five minutes, excitement. In ninety-five minutes, drowsiness and calm.
Maximum effect , from first dose, maximum of excitement in forty-five minutes; from second, maximum of excitement in twenty-five minutes; maximum of sedative effect in twelve minutes.
Second Experiment.
-30 drops of tr., 9.15 P.M. In thirty minutes quiet. In forty-five minutes, exhilaration. In one hour, drowsiness.
Forty drops more, 9.45. In twenty minutes after second dose, new excitement.
Forty drops again, at 10.25. In thirty-five minutes, drowsiness.
Maximum effect of exhilaration in this experiment forty-five minutes from first dose; maximum of drowsiness, in one hour; of exhilaration after second dose, in twenty minutes; of drowsiness, in thirty-five minutes.
Synopsis of the two later experiments with Cannabis Indica need not be given. It may be briefly said of them that the doses were large and repeated at nearly one hour intervals. The effect was in the first of these apparent in the tracing in ten minutes, and a steady diminution of frequency resulted, until in forty-five minutes there occurred evidence of implication of the nervous system. In thirty-five minutes after the second dose there appeared evidence of some obstruction to circulation, either near the heart or in the capillaries, and after 420 drops had been taken, the arterial tension was greatly reduced, with corresponding increase of the venous pressure, and marked sedation, just two hours and fifteen minutes from the first dose, and thirty from the last and largest.
Finally, sudden cessation of effect.
In the last experiment detailed, in which a fresh alcoholic extract was again used, the following facts were noticed.
First. Tracings abnormal from malaise at the beginning became normal in forty minutes, with marked sedation and diminished frequency. In fifty-five minutes began the stage of exhilaration, at which time a larger dose was taken. After fifty-five minutes the heart's impulsive power was evidently weakened, and shortly after began a vacillation, alike of equilibrium, of pressure, and of weakness.
In one hour and forty-five minutes the nervous system was broken down by the excitement of reaction, a state lasting three hours.