246 THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 



78. Hasheesh. Hasheesh, the juice of Indian hemp, is said 

 to be used by millions of the inhabitants of Asia. It is not 

 much known in the western countries. In the East the excite- 

 ment caused by its use takes the form of furious madness, lead- 

 ing its victim to commit acts of violence and murder. Hence 

 the term " hasheeshers " in our language has come to be synony- 

 mous with assassins. (Read Note 21.) 



79. Chloroform. Chloroform, another product from alcohol, 

 is used by inhalation when surgical operations are to be per- 

 formed. As it is very powerful and subtile in its action, the 

 unskillful use of it is dangerous in the extreme. The habit of 

 taking chloroform by those who are great physical sufferers, or 

 whose constitutions have been wrecked by the use of other 

 narcotics, should be discouraged. It too often happens that 

 the career of such is short, for the drug may easily be taken 

 in excess and so cause death. 



80. Sleep Produced by Narcotics. Opium and the opiates 

 have the power of quieting the activity of the brain, and of 

 compelling sleep. This may be a blessed action if skillfully 

 applied by the physician, but not so applied it is the source of 

 infinite peril. The sleep so caused differs from natural, restful 

 slumber, especially in the fact that the after-effects are com- 

 monly depressing and disturbing to the brain to the extent of 

 being harder to bear than the wakefulness on account of which 

 the drugs are taken. Very young persons are especially 

 subject to injury by sleep-producing medicines; and many 

 are the deaths that have been caused among infants by the 

 giving of " soothing syrups," " cordials," and " anodynes," 



21. "As everybody knows, the intoxication caused by alcoholic liquors, 

 by hasheesh, by opium, after a first period of excitement, brings about a 

 notable impairment of the will. The individual is more or less con- 

 scious of this ; other persons see it more clearly. Soon especially under 

 the influence of alcohol the weakening of the will becomes excessive. 

 The extravagances, violences, and crimes committed in this state are 

 innumerable." Dr. T. Eibot. 



78. What is hasheesh ? Its use ? 



79. Chloroform ? Its use ? 



80. What kind of sleep produced by narcotics ? 



