238 , SANSKRIt MATERIA MBDICA. 





plant, from wliioh the resin haa not been removed. 2, Qharas, the 



* 



resinous exudation from the leaves, stems and flowers. 3, Bhang , 

 the larger leaves and seed vessels without the stalks. 



Sir William O'Shaughnessy has so well described the prepara- 

 tions of Indian hemp in use amongst the natives, and his name is 

 so intimately associated with the history of this drug, that I 

 cannot do better than quote his account of them. 



"Sidhee, Subjce and Bluing (synonymous) are used with water 

 as a drink which is thus prepared : — About three tolas' weight 



(540 troy grains) 



then rubbed 





to powder, mixed with blaok pepper, cucumber and melon seeds, 

 sugar, half a pint of milk and an equal quantity of water. This 

 is considered sufficient to intoxicate an habituated person. Half 

 the quantity is enough for a novioe. This composition is chiefly 

 used by the Mahomedans of the better olasses. 



"Another recipe is as follows :- 



The same quantity of Hiddhi is washed and ground, mixed 

 with black pepper, and a quart of oold water added. This is 

 drank at one sitting. This is the favourite beverage of the 

 Hindus who practioe this vice, especially the Birjobassies and 

 many of the Rajpootana soldiery. 



"From either of these beverages intoxication will ensue in 

 half an hour. Al oust invariably the inebriation is of the most 

 cheerful kind, causing the person to sing and dance, to eat food 



relish, and to seek aphrodisiac enjoyments. In per- 

 sons of a quarrelsome disposition it occasions, as might be 

 expected, an exasperation of their natural tendency. The 

 intoxication lasts about three hours, when sleep supervenes. 



r sickness of stomach succeeds, nor are the bowels at 

 all affected ; next day there is slight giddiness and vascularity 

 of the eyes, but no other symptom worth recording. 



Gdnja is used for smoking alone : one rupee weight, (180 

 grains) and a little dried tobacco are rubbed together in the palm 

 of the hand, with a few drops of water. This suffices for three 

 persons. A little tobacco is placed in the pipe first, then a layer 

 of the prepared <jdnja t then more tobacco and the fire above all- 



Four or five persons ceually ioin in this debauch. The hookah n 



great 



nau 



