844 On the preparations of the Indian Hemp, or Gunjah. [Oct. 



Four days thus passed away, the doses of Hemp being con- 

 tinued. When he fell asleep on waking the paroxysms returned, but 

 were again almost immediately assuaged as at first. Meanwhile 

 purgative enemata were employed, and he partook freely of solid food, 

 and once drank water without the least suffering. But about 3 p. m. 

 of the fifth day he sunk into profound stupor, the breathing slightly 

 stertorous ; in this state he continued, and without further struggle 

 death terminated his sufferings at 4 a. m., on the 27th November. 



Reviewing the preceding summary of this interesting case, it seems 

 evident that at least one advantage was gained from the use of 

 the remedy — the awful malady was stripped of its horrors; — if not 

 less fatal than before, it was reduced to less than the scale of suffer- 

 ing which precedes death from most ordinary diseases. It must be 

 remembered too that in this the first case ever so treated, I pos- 

 sessed no data to guide me as to the dose or manner of administration 

 of the drug. The remarkable cases of tetanus detailed in the sequel, 

 throw light on these important points, and will lead in future cases to 

 the unhesitating administration of much larger quantities than at first I 

 ventured to employ. I am not however rash enough to indulge the 

 hope which involuntarily forces itself upon me, that we will ever 

 from this narcotic derive an effectual remedy, for even a solitary case 

 of this disease — but next to cure, the physician will perhaps esteem 

 the means which enable him " to strew the path to the tomb with 

 flowers," and to divest of its specific terrors the most dreadful malady 

 to which mankind is exposed. 



While the preceding case was under treatment, and exciting the 

 utmost interest in the school, several pupils commenced experiments 

 on themselves, to ascertain the effects of the drug. In all, the state of 

 the pulse was noted before taking a dose, and subsequently the effects 

 were observed by two pupils of much intelligence. The result of 

 several trials was, that in as small doses as the quarter of a grain, the 

 pulse was increased in fulness and frequency; the surface of the 

 body glowed ; the appetite became extraordinary ; vivid ideas crowded 

 the mind ; unusual loquacity occurred ; and with scarcely any ex- 

 ception, great aphrodisia was experienced. 



In one pupil, Dinonath Dhur, a retiring lad of excellent habits, ten 

 drops of the tincture, equal to a quarter of a grain of the resin, induced 

 in twenty minutes the most amusing effects I ever witnessed. A 

 shout of laughter ushered in the symptoms, and a transitory state of 



