280 HASHISH. 



directed with peculiar force to the brain, the functions of 

 which it excites sometimes even to intoxication or delirium. 

 In a short time this excitation subsides; a calmness of the 

 corporeal actions, and a delightful placidity of mind succeed ; 

 and the individual, insensible to painful impressions, forget- 

 ting all sources of care and anxiety, submits himself to a cur- 

 rent of undefined and unconnected but pleasing fancies, and 

 is conscious of no other feeling than that of a quiet and vague 

 enjoyment. At the end of half an hour or an hour from the 

 administration of the narcotic, all consciousness is lost in 

 sleep. The soporific effect, after having continued for eight 

 or ten hours, goes off, and is often succeeded by more or less 

 nausea, headache, tremors, and other symptoms of diminished 

 or irregular nervous action, which soon yield to the recupera- 

 tive energies of the system ; and, unless the dose is frequently 

 repeated, and the powers of nature worn out by over-excite- 

 ment, no injurious consequences ultimately result. Such is 

 the obvious operation of opium when moderately taken ; but 

 other effects, very important in a remedial point of view, are 

 also experienced. All the secretions, with the exception of 

 that from the skin, are in general either suspended or dimin- 

 ished ; the peristaltic motion of the bowels is lessened ; pain 

 and inordinate muscular contraction, if present, are allayed ; 

 and general nervous irritation is composed, if not entirely 

 relieved." 



HASHISH. 



The following quotation from Bayard Taylor is given to 

 show the great influence of a narcotic on the nervous system. 

 For a detailed account of the effects of this drug read the 

 chapter entitled " The Visions of Hasheesh " in The Lands 

 of the Saracen. " The use of Hasheesh which is a prepa- 

 ration of the dried leaves of the Cannabis indica has been 



