PROPERTIES OF HEMP. 91 



the narcotic and intoxicating effects we have noticed, strange pheno- 

 mena have been attributed to the use of the expressed or distilled 

 juice. The gunjah, a spirit or tincture prepared from the hemp in the 

 East Indies, having been administered lately to some young persons, it 

 is reported that ten drops of the tincture induced, in a lad, the most 

 wonderful effects. He could recognize none of his acquaintances, 

 they appearing as perfectly changed as was his own mind. He enact- 

 ed the part of a Rajah, in which he gave orders to his courtiers in the 

 most accomplished manner, described his former associates and teach- 

 ers with truly dramatic effect, detailed imaginary travels in former 

 years, gave the particulars of his wealth and power, and discussed re- 

 ligious, political, and scientific subjects with astonishing eloquence, 

 and disclosed an extent of reading and readiness of wit far beyond his 

 known abilities. This was continued for three hours with an ease 

 and dignity perfectly becoming his imaginary situation, when it was 

 suddenly terminated without occasioning any unpleasant effects. The 

 effects are spoken of as resembling those produced by the inspiration 

 of the Delphic oracles. Frequent gigling, a peculiar gait, a constant 

 rubbing of the hands, and a propensity to caress or chafe the feet of 

 by-standers ; and, in some cases, violent passions and a voracious ap- 

 petite are mentioned among the effects produced. 



The Sythians are said to have cultivated the hemp, to have made 

 garments of it, and to have thrown the seeds on hot stones, and inhaled 

 the perfumed vapor, which excited feelings of great exhilaration. It 

 is, and long has been, known in India as the assuager of grief, in- 

 creaser of pleasure, increaser of desire, cementer of friendship, causer 

 of a reeling gait, the laughter mover," &c. The India species (C. 

 indica) is thought not to differ from the common hemp except in some 

 peculiarities of appearance. The parts used for intoxication are the 

 resinous juice from the leaves, small stems and flowers. It is collect- 

 ed by men dressed in leather running through the hemp, thus brushing 

 off the soft resin and afterwards scraping it from their cloths and mak- 

 ing it into balls. A finer kind is collected on the naked skin; and in 

 Persia, by pressing the plant on cloths, then scraping it off and melt- 

 ing it in a pot with a little water. Gunjah is the dried hemp from 

 which the resin has not been removed ; it is sold in small bundles in 

 Calcutta for smoking. Bang is the larger leaves and capsules. The 

 leaves of the common hemp yield a volatile oil, resin, &c., these being 

 thought of some medicinal importance. 



When distilled with water the liquor has the powerful narcotic odor 

 of the plant. 10 grains administered to a dog created complete 

 drunkenness for 2 hours. Its effects on men alleviate pain, increase 

 appetite, and induce aphrodisia and great cheerfulness. To a pa- 

 tient afflicted with rheumatism a grain of the resin being given, he 

 became very talkative, sang, hallooed, and called for food. la four 



