106 
CHARLES WILLIAMS. 
CANNABIS INDICA-CANNABIS AMERICANA. 
By Charles Williams, V. M. D,, Philadelphia, Pa. 
A Paper read before the Pennsylvania State Veterinary Medical Association, March 3,. 
1897. 
The U. S. Pharmacopoeia recognizes the dried tops of the can- 
7 iabis saliva^ or common hemp plant, as it grows in India and in 
onr own country. The fluid extract of this plant is a dark green 
resinous liquid of a peculiar narcotic odor and taste. Gunjah is 
the dried plant as sold in the bazaars of Calcutta. Churrus is- 
the resinous exudate with the epidermis, etc., scraped off the 
leaves. Hashish ids an Arabian preparation of the drug. The 
resinous principle representing the active ingredient of the drug* 
is known as Cannabis. It also contains a trace of volatile oil. 
Physiological Actions. —Indian hemp is a deliriant narcotic, 
anodyne and antispasmodic. Bhang is said by Finlay Dun to be 
widely used in India to stay the flagging spirits, and larger doses 
to produce pleasing dreamy narcosis. Similar effects are said by 
the same author to be produced in horses, the flagging appetite 
is improved, capacity for exertion increased and restlessness 
overcome. Sir Robert Christian stated that “ for energy, cer¬ 
tainty and convenience, Indian hemp is the next anodyne to 
opium and often equals it.” Mr. Richard Rutherford, of Edin- 
borough (says Finlay Dun), has used gunjah for several years for 
colic in horses, and finds that it acts as promptly and without 
any of the headache, delirium or blocking of the bowels as opium 
is almost sure to do. Horses receiving full doses soon become 
drowsy, hang the head, finally relax the ears, close the eyes, nod 
the head and sway from side to side. If the drug is continued 
they lie down, stretch out at full length and certainly evince 
every symptom of dreaming, for they will work the Hps, wink 
the eyes and work the limbs as one often sees a dog do when 
dreaming by the fire, but I never remember their making any 
vocal noise. The effects pass off in half an hour to an hour, 
when the anipial rises and usually begins feeding without any 
other consequent symptoms. 
