VRTICACEM 329 



be held in high esteem, and ranked with the poppy and with 

 mandragora. {Medical Annual^ 1891.) 



Physiological action, — Like some other narcotics, Indian hemp^ 

 when given by the stomach to carnivorous animals, produces its 

 characteristic effects, but graminivorous animals and fish exhibit 

 only vacillating movements and a dull aspect, Ujwn man its 

 action varies with the individuaFs temperament and tendencies. 

 Some it inspires with pugnacity, others it inclines to dreamy 

 contemplation, to motiveless merriment, or to maudlin sensibi- 

 lity ; s(^me it makes unnaturally active and restless, and plunges 

 others in a drowsy stupor ; but more than any other agent, not 

 even excepting belladonna, it perverts the natural perception of 

 objects and their normal condition and relations. Time, dis- 

 tance, and sound are especially apt to form the subjects of the 



F 



hallucinations caused by this drug. As in dreams, the events 

 of days or weeks may be compressed into an actual period of a 

 few minutes, objects near at hand may seem to form a limitless 

 perspective, and whispered tones may have the reverberation of 

 thunder. These and an infinite variety of fantastic pictures 

 are evoked b}^ snioking the drug, as it is generally employed in 

 Asia, associated with opium. During its influence the physical 

 condition of the experimenter exhibits changes in acceleration 

 of the pulse, warmth of skin, restless muscular movements, 

 more or less insensibility to touch and pain, and sometimes im- 

 paired power of locomotion, the limbs feeling as if weighted 

 with lead. In one reported case a diffused vesicular eruption 

 was attributed to this medicine. {Ryde,) It does not increase, 

 but, on the contrary, imimirs, the venereal propensity and 

 power. The habitual use of cannabis in excessive doses causes 

 the face to become bloated, the eyes injected, and the limbs 

 weak and tremulous ; the mind grows imbecile, and ultimately 

 death by marasmus is apt to occur. Acute poisoning by large 

 doses is marked by various and dissimilar symptoms indifferent 

 cases. In some there is loss of consciousness, with collapse or 

 stupor, insensible pupils, a pale, clammy, and insensible skin, 

 extreme debility, and a small, feeble pulse. In others a catalep- 

 tic condition, spasms, or convulsions occur, and in all there is 



IIL— 42 



