1839.] On the preparations of the Indian Hemp, or Gun/ah. 849 



arresting effectually the progress of this formidable disease, and in a 

 large proportion of cases of effecting a perfect cure. 



The facts are such at least as justify the hope that the virtues of the 

 drug may be widely and severely tested in the multitudes of these 

 appalling cases which present themselves in all Indian Hospitals. 



Delirium occasioned by continued Hemp Inebriation. 



Before quitting this subject, it is desirable to notice the singular form 

 of delirium which the incautious use of the Hemp preparations 

 often occasions, especially among young men who try it for the first 

 time. Several such cases have presented themselves to my notice. 

 They are as peculiar as the " delirium tremens," which succeeds the 

 prolonged abuse of spirituous liquors, but are quite distinct from any 

 other species of delirium with which I am acquainted. 



This state is at once recognized by the strange balancing gait of the 

 patient, a constant rubbing of the hands, perpetual giggling, and a 

 propensity to caress and chafe the feet of all bystanders of whatever 

 rank. The eye wears an expression of cunning and merriment which 

 can scarcely be mistaken. In a few cases, the patients are violent ; in 

 many, highly aphrodisiac ; in all that I have seen, voraciously hungry. 

 There is no increased heat or frequency of circulation, or any appear- 

 ance of inflammation or congestion, and the skin and general functions 

 are in a natural state. 



A blister to the nape of the neck, leeches to the temples, and 

 nauseating doses of tartar emetic with saline purgatives have rapidly 

 dispelled the symptoms in all the cases I have met with, and have 

 restored the patient to perfect health. 



The preceding cases constitute an abstract of my experience on this 

 subject, and which has led me to the belief that in Hemp the 

 profession has gained an anti-convulsive remedy of the greatest value. 

 Entertaining this conviction, be it true or false, I deem it my duty to 

 publish it without any avoidable delay, in order that the most exten- 

 sive and the speediest trial may be given to the proposed remedy. I 

 repeat what I have already stated in a previous paper — that were 

 individual reputation my object, I would let years pass by, and 

 hundreds of cases accumulate before publication ; and in publishing I 

 would enter into every kind of elaborate detail. But the object I have 

 proposed to myself in these inquiries is of a very different kind. To 

 gather together a few strong facts, to ascertain the limits which cannot 



