840 On the preparations of the Indian Hemp, or Gunjah. |_Oct. 



In none of these or several other experiments was there the least 

 indication of pain, or any degree of convulsive movement observed. 



It seems needless to dwell on the details of each experiment ; suffice 

 it to say, that they led to one remarkable result — That while carnivo- 

 rous animals and fish, dogs, cats, swine, vultures, crows, and adjutants, 

 invariably and speedily exhibited the intoxicating influence of the 

 drug, the graminivorous, such as the horse, deer, monkey, goat, sheep, 

 and cow, experienced but trivial effects from any dose I administered. 



Encouraged by these results, no hesitation could be felt as to the 

 perfect safety of giving the resin of Hemp an extensive trial in the 

 cases in which its apparent powers promised the greatest degree of 

 utility. 



Cases of Rheumatism treated by Hemp. 



The first cases selected were two of acute rheumatism, and one of 

 that disease in the chronic form. In the two former but little relief 

 had been derived from a fair trial of antiphlogistic measures, and 

 Dover's powder with antimonials — In the last case, sarsaparilla at 

 first, and subsequently the Hemidesmus Indicus with warm baths 

 had been tried without advantage. 



On the 6th November, 1838, one grain of the resin of Hemp was 

 administered in solution, at 2 p. m. to each of these three patients. 



At 4 p. m. it was reported that one was becoming very talkative, was 

 singing songs, calling loudly for an extra supply of food, and declaring 

 himself in perfect health. The other two patients remained unaffected. 



At 6 p. m. I received a report to the same effect, but stating that 

 the first patient was now falling asleep. 



At 8 p. m. I was alarmed by an emergent note from Nobinchunder 

 Mitter, the clinical clerk on duty, desiring my immediate attendance 

 at the Hospital, as the patient's symptoms were very peculiar and 

 formidable. I went to the Hospital without delay, and found him 

 lying on his cot quite insensible, but breathing with perfect regula- 

 rity, his pulse and skin natural, and the pupils freely contractile on 

 the approach of light. 



Alarmed and pained beyond description at such a state of things, 

 I hurried to the other patients— found one asleep, the third awake, 

 intelligent, and free from any symptoms of intoxication or alarm. 



Returning then to the first, an emetic was directed to be prepared, 

 and while waiting for it I chanced to lift up the patient's arm. 

 The professional reader will judge of my astonishment, when I 

 found that it remained in the posture in which I placed it. It 





