24G 



UIlTICACEiE. 



' 'miKfitui'Jita. — Tlio constitucuts of Amoric.'in ciiiinabis do not dilTcr 

 from those of Indiiin cuiumbis save, pcrlmpH, in dejifi-eo ; authors pretty 

 j^'cnerallv (MMisidcr the latter more active than the foriiier. The active 

 properties of caniiH])is appear lo reside chiefly in n resin which has re- 

 ceived tlie name *vn(//f/i'>/// ; but there is also found a small proportion of 

 volatile oil possessing the characteristio odtn' and taste of the plant, and 

 producing;- nav(;otic eflects. Its remaining constituents are medicinally 

 unimportant. 



I'rfpan/liDiis. — There are no otruMal preparations of American cannabis. 



mm mm^^- 



/Its 



m. 



Fic. l.-)l.--C:iniiiibis sntiva. 



It may be employed in the same maimer as Indirfn cannabis, namely, in 

 extract, fluid extract, or tincture. 



Mt'dkvl Propi'rtii'ft ainl Txcs-. — Cannabis, when fresh, has a peculiar 

 narcotic odoi', which is said to be capable of producing lieatlache and 

 other cerebral symptoms. Tliis propc^rty is considerably diminished by 

 drying and long keeping, hence the drug shoidd be used as fresh as pos- 

 sible. Indeed, there is little doubt that much of the uncertainty of can- 

 nalns is dept lent ujjon a want of care in this respect. Cannabis is a 

 powerful ]iarcotic, causing, first, exhilaration and delirious liallucinations, 

 generally of a pleasurable character, and afterward drowsiness and stu- 

 pni-. Though much less certain than opium, it has none of the unpleasant 

 after-effects of the latter, and is often used instead to relieve })ain, aliay 

 spasm, and produce sleep. 



ITi'MULUS.— IIoi'. 



Humulus Lupulus Ijumv.—FTop. 



Description, — Flowers ditecious. Staminate flowers with 5 sepals, and 

 5 erect stamens. Piatillate flowers with a single sepal, which embracea 



