362     HASCHISCIN  AND  ITS  PHARMACEUTICAL  APPLICATIONS. 
on  the  powdered  hemp  tops  in  a  displacement  apparatus,  with  a 
mixture  of  alcohol  and  ether  or  chloroform.  The  solvent  can  be 
regained  by  distillation,  and  serve  for  a  subsequent  operation. 
The  residue  collected  and  dried  ought  to  constitute  the  same 
substance  as  that  obtained  by  M.  Gastinel. 
The  active  principle  of  hemp  being  a  fixed  substance,  there  is 
no  fear  of  submitting  the  plant  to  distillation,  as  it  is  well  known 
that  water  distilled  from  hemp  possesses  none  of  the  narcotic  or 
excitant  properties  of  the  plant. 
Haschiscin,*  as  obtained  by  Gastinel's  process,  is  a  complex 
product,  dry,  extract-like  and  resinoid,  of  a  deep  green  color, 
with  a  sweetish  taste  without  any  bitter  after-taste.  Having 
found  different  results  from  those  published  in  reference  to  its 
solubility  in  alcohol,  the  only  menstruum  indicated,  I  have  sought 
those  menstrua  in  which  it  is  soluble  in  the  cold,  which  at  the 
same  time  present  a  therapeutic  interest. 
Haschiscin  is  insoluble,  in  the  cold,  in  alcohol  of  80  to  90  per 
cent. ;  it  dissolves  with  heat,  but  a  notable  quantity  of  resin 
separates  by  cooling. 
It  is  soluble  in  the  cold,  in  all  proportions,  and  more  or  less 
promptly,  in  alcohol  of  80  or  90  per  cent,  containing  one-third 
of  ether  56°  B.,  in  absolute  alcohol,  rectified  ether,  acetic  ether, 
sweet  spirit  of  nitre,  chlorohydric  and  chlorinated  chlorohydric 
ethers,  in  chloroform  and  in  sulphuret  of  carbon. 
It  dissolves  with  the  same  facility,  in  the  cold,  in  the  essen- 
tial oils,  both  the  hydrocarbons,  oil  of  turpentine,  lemons  and 
juniper,  in  the  oxygenated  oils  mint,  cinnamon,  chamomile  and 
lavander,  and  in  the  sulphuretted  oils,  such  as  that  of  mustard. 
The  fixed  oils,  as  those  of  olives  and  almonds,  dissolve  it  almost 
entirely,  aided  with  heat  and  retain  it  on  cooling. 
Subjected  to  incineration,  haschiscin  leaves  very  little  ashes. 
*  The  cannabin  or  pure  hemp  resin  is  a  purer  product  than  the  haschis- 
cin of  Gastinel.  It  is  obtained  by  the  Messrs.  Smith  of  Edinburg,  by  treat- 
ing the  gunjah  or  hemp  tops  with  repeated  effusions  of  water  till  exhausted, 
then  with  a  solution  of  carbonate  of  soda,  after  which  it  is  washed  with 
water  and  dried.  After  being  thus  deprived  of  inert  matter,  the  hemp  is 
exhausted  with  alcohol,  the  tincture  treated  with  milk  of  lime,  (1  lime  to 
12  gunjah,)  the  lime  precipitated  by  SO3,  the  filtered  liquid  agitated  with 
animal  charcoal,  filtered,  evaporated  partially,  and  the  resin  precipitated 
with  water  and  dried. — Editor  Am.  Journ.  Pharm. 
