INDIAN CANNABIS 371 



first part (700 Cc), and enough alcohol is added to make 1 Cc. of the 

 fluid extract equal 1 gm. of the crude drug. 



Dose.— H., 3iv.-vi. (16.-24.); D., mii.-x. (.13-.6). 



Administration. — The extract is given in ball, pill, electuary or 

 suppository ; or the fluid preparations may be used. 



Tinctura Cannabis Indicce. Tincture of Indian Cannabis. 

 (U.S. &B. P.) 



Indian cannabis, 150; alcohol to make 1,000 Cc. Made by macera- 

 tion and percolation. (U. S. P.) 

 Dose.— D., TTixx.-xxx. (1.3-2,). 



Action External — Cannabis indica exerts a considerable 

 irritant action when applied to mucous membranes. This 

 is followed bj local anaesthesia. 



Action Internal. — Indian hemp is a distinct depressant 

 to the functions of the brain and cord in poisonous doses, 

 although therapeutically stimulating these organs in small 

 quantities, and producing in man a kind of intoxication and 

 mild delirium. The reflex activity of the spinal cord is 

 primarily increased, but this is succeeded by diminution of 

 reflex movement, and, after large doses, by anaesthesia and 

 loss of voluntary motion. The sensory tract (centres and 

 nerves) is depressed by considerable therapeutic doses. 

 Our knowledge of the detailed physiological action of the 

 drug is imperfect. The action of cannabis comes on slowly 

 and continues for a long time. A horse receiving, under the 

 direction of the writer, at the Harvard Veterinary Hospital, 

 J ounce of the solid extract, became drowsy. Sleep after a 

 few hours deepened into stupor, and stupor into coma. 

 The respiration became slow, the pulse slightly accelerated, 

 and the animal so anaesthetic that amputation of the penis 

 was done on the following day without producing the slight- 

 est pain or struggling. The animal had to be supported in 

 slings, and only recovered after three days. Frequently 

 neither constipation, anorexia, or other deleterious after- 

 effects follow the action of this drug. 



In the human being, cannabis induces very peculiar 

 mental phenomena, including hallucinations, a sense of 



