POISONOUS DRUGS . 181 
poison. The resin of Indian hemp (Fig. 171) is obtained 
chiefly from the pistillate flower-clusters and fruits. Under 
the name of “‘hashish”’ resinous parts of the plant are smoked 
as an intoxicant by Eastern peoples. Medicinally the drug 
is used for its quieting effect upon the nerves in certain dis- 
eased conditions. It is highly injurious when taken in over- 
doses, and terrible effects follows its habitual use as an in- 
toxicant. 
Fig. 171, IIl.—Indian Hemp. Staminate and pistillate flower-clusters. 
Staminate flower. Pistillate flower. Pistil. Seed, entire and cut ver- 
tically. (Baillon.) 
Alkaloids, as we have seen, are vegetable substances which 
contain nitrogen, as well as carbon, hydrogen, and sometimes 
oxygen, and like alkalis form salts with acids. While certain 
of the alkaloids, as for example theobromine, which was 
referred to in the last chapter, are comparatively harmless in 
their action upon the human system, others, which are now 
to be considered, include some of the most powerful of poisons. 
