342 MATERIA MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



forms a useful corrective of some griping purgatives, such, as 

 podophyllin or colocynth. 



2. SPECIFIC ACTION AND USES. 



The action of cannabis indica is ill understood. It chiefly 

 affects the convolutions, producing a species of intoxication ; 

 disordered consciousness of personality, locality, and time ; 

 and exaltation of the feelings, with pleasing grandiose ideas 

 and hallucinations. Noisy, restless delirium, with muscular 

 excitement, or, more commonly, sleep supervenes; and there- 

 with any pain that may be present is relieved. The heart and 

 blood pressure appear to be first stimulated and afterwards 

 depressed. 



Cannabis indica was formerly used as a hypnotic and 

 anodyne, when opium disagreed or had been taken in excess ; 

 but, from its uncertainty, it has been generally replaced by 

 chloral. Combined with bromide of potassium, it is useful in 

 mania. More frequently it is given as a special anodyne 

 and antispasmodic in dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia and hysteria. 

 It may also be tried in neuralgia, and in spasmodic asthma (as 

 cigarettes), when other remedies fail. 



3. REMOTE LOCAL ACTION. 



Nothing is definitely known respecting the excretion of 

 cannabis indica. It increases the amount of urine, probably 

 through the blood pressure. 



lus HOP. The dried strobiles of the 

 female plant of Humulus lupulus. Cultivated in 

 England. 



Characters. Strobiles of a greenish-yellow colour, with 

 minute yellow grains (lupuline) adherent to the base of the 

 scales. Odour, aromatic ; taste, bitter. 



Composition. Hops contain an aromatic volatile oil, valerol, 

 C 6 H 10 0, on which its smell depends ; 11 per cent, of a crystal- 

 line bitter principle, lupulinic acid, C 32 H 50 7 ; and tannin. 



Incompatibles. Mineral acids and metallic salts. 



Preparations. 



1. Extraction Lupuli. Alcoholic and aqueous. 4 in 1. 



Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 



2. Infusum Lupuli. 1 in 20. Dose, 1 to 2 fl.oz. 



3. Tinctura Lupuli. 1 in 8. Dose, % to 2 fl.dr. 



