742 On the preparations of the Indium Hemp, or Gunjah. [Sept. 



In Mr. DaCosta's MS. version of the chapter on Hemp in the Mukzun- 

 ul-Udwieh, Churrus, we are informed, if smoked through a pipe causes 

 torpor and intoxication, and often proves fatal to the smoker. Three 

 kinds are noticed, the garden, wild, and mountain, of which the last 

 is deemed the strongest;— the seeds are called sheadana or shaldaneh 

 in Persia. These are said to be " a compound of opposite qualities, 

 cold and dry in the third degree, that is to say, stimulant and sedative, 

 imparting at first a gentle reviving heat, and then a considerable 

 refrigerant effect." 

 X The contrary qualities of the plant, its stimulant and sedative effects, 

 are prominently dwelt on. "They at first exhilarate the spirits, cause 

 cheerfulness, give colour to the complexion, bring on intoxication, 

 excite the imagination into the most rapturous ideas, produce thirst, 

 increase appetite, excite concupiscence. Afterwards the sedative effects 

 begin to preside, the spirits sink, the vision darkens and weakens; 

 and madness, melancholy, fearfulness, dropsy, and such like distempers, 

 are the sequel — and the seminal secretions dry up. These effects are 

 increased by sweets, and combated by acids/' ftj 



The author of the Mukzun-ul-Udwieh further informs us — 



" The leaves make a good snuff for deterging the brain ; the juice of 

 the leaves applied to the head as a wash, removes dandriff and 

 vermin; drops of the juice thrown into the ear allay pain and des- 

 troy worms or insects. It checks diarrhoea, is useful in gonorrhoea, 

 restrains seminal secretions, and is diuretic. The bark has a similar 

 effect." 



"The powder is recommended as an external application to fresh 

 wounds and sores, and for causing granulations ; a poultice of the 

 boiled root and leaves for discussing inflammations, and cure of erysi- 

 pelas, and for allaying neuralgic pains. The dried leaves bruised and 

 spread on a castor oil leaf cure hydrocele and swelled testes. The dose 

 internally is one direm, or 48 grains. The antidotes are emetics, cow's 

 milk, hot water, and sorrel wine." 



Alluding to its popular uses, the author dwells on the eventual evil 

 consequences of the indulgence ; — weakness of the digestive organs first 

 ensues, followed by flatulency, indigestion, swelling of the limbs and 

 face, change of complexion, diminution of sexual vigor, loss of teeth, 

 heaviness, cowardice, depraved and wicked ideas, scepticism in religi- 



