490 Mr. A. Christison on Cannabis indica. 
in a soft neutral resin called Cannabine, which when heated gives out 
a strong aromatic smell, and has a warm pungent balsamic taste ; that 
it is insoluble in water or weak spirit, which is clearly proved in the 
following way—the addition of a fifth of water to a solution of the 
resin in strong spirit causes separation to begin, and all the resin is 
thrown down when a half of water is added. For a detail of their 
process I must refer however to the ‘ Pharmaceutical Journal’ for 
1846, merely observing at present, that in repeating the process with 
old Gunjah of 1840, ten per cent. of resin was obtained, answering 
to the characters given above; that the whole occupied a period of 
three weeks, and was very tedious. The following is a rough estimate 
of the composition of 8 oz. of Gunjah, used in my process :— 
UE Es hs,» anal age =e crt oi eon oe 
Nearly dry watery extract ........ 500 
Extractive by carb. soda .......... 640 
EPP bate MEE. COC sn os cen Poe Sen) aay 
3840 
The physiological actions of Cannabis indica must now be con- 
sidered, and the first question which presents itself is, whether this 
plant is a poison in large doses, and has it proved fatal to man? The 
prolonged use of it has certainly destroyed many in India, but no 
mention is made by authors of its proving fatal im one or two large 
doses. The only allusion to such an effect that I have seen, is that made 
by Mr. Reddie, a member of the Calcutta Bar, who in a letter to 
‘Dr. Christison, dated July 1849, says :—‘‘ The plant is a poison with 
many of the qualities of opium and some singular ones peculiar to 
itself,’ and that “it is frequently used at Calcutta as a poison.” As 
this information was unsolicited, no details have been given, but 
Mr. Reddie has offered to give any additional information that may 
be required. Dr. O’Shaughnessy made a series of experiments on 
animals with the view of determining the quantity that it would be 
safe to administer as a medicine, but in none of these did death occur. 
In one experiment he gave 10 grs. churrus to a middling-sized dog. 
“In half an hour he became stupid and sleepy, dozing at intervals, 
starting up and wagging his tail as if extremely contented; he ate 
some food greedily ; on being called to, he staggered to and fro, and 
his face assumed a look of utter and hopeless drunkenness. These 
symptoms lasted about two hours ; in six hours he was perfectly well 
and lively. And again 20 grs. of ext. Gunjah, dissolved in spirit, were 
given to a dog of very small size. In a quarter of an hour he was 
intoxicated ; in half an hour he had great difficulty of movement ; in 
an hour he had lost all power over the hinder extremities, which were 
rather stiff, but flexible ; sensibility did not seem to be impaired, and 
the circulation was natural. He readily acknowledged calls by an 
attempt to rise up. In four hours he was quite well. In none of 
these experiments was any pain evinced, or any convulsive motion.” 
The dose mentioned above was the largest he gave ; and the question 
remains, would yet larger doses have had a fatal effect? One point 
is however determined,—and Dr. O'Shaughnessy administered large 
