SUPPLEMENT: CANNABIS INDICA.
HEAD.
► The peculiar
sensation of giddiness produced by it is increased by walking about, and subsides during
rest, [46]. ►
Whirling in the head, [53]. ►
Heaviness of the head, [53], [57], [58]. ► Tension and heaviness of the head, [53]. ► Tension in the head, [54]. ► Sensation of
tension in the brain, [54], [57]. ► Pressure in the temples, [58].
EYE.
[920.] ► Eyes brilliant (after one hour), [55]. ► Eyes injected, [53], [55], [58]. ► Divergent squint,
[53]. ► Prickling
in the margins of the lids, [57]. ► Lachrymation, [55], [54], [58]. ► Conjunctivitis, [49]. ► Conjunctiva red, [54], [57]. ► Pupils dilated
(after one hour), [55], [57],
[58]. ► Vision
confused, [54], [36].
FACE.
► Face congested, [56]. [930.] ► The face became red, with efforts to vomit, [53]. ► Trembling of the lips, [54]. ► Constriction of
the jaws, [58]. ►
It seemed to him as if he must forcibly compress the jaws, [54].
MOUTH.
► Tongue dry, [54]. ► Tongue dry,
covered with dry mucus, [53]. ►
Mouth dry, [53], [58].
► Dryness of the mouth and throat, [54].
THROAT.
► Dryness of the
throat, [53], [55],
etc. ► Sensation of devouring fire in the pharynx and
œsophagus, [53]. [940.]
► Burning in the throat on inspiring air, [53].
STOMACH.
► Nausea, [53]. ► Nausea and
efforts to vomit after eating, [56].
STOOL.
► Next day bowels
did not act, [62].
RESPIRATORY ORGANS.
►
Respiration rapid, [53]. ►
Dyspnœa, [53].
CHEST.
► Sensation of
constriction in the chest, [54].
HEART AND PULSE.
►
Palpitation, [54], [57].
► Intense palpitation of the heart, [53]. Pulse 100 (before taking); 140 (after one hour); 92 (after
three hours), [56]. [950.]
► Pulse 80, regular (before taking); became very rapid,
130, and irregular; afterwards small, contracted, [53].
► Pulse 75 (before taking); ran up to 120, became small
and irregular, [54]. ►
Pulse 70 and regular (on taking); 115 (after one hour), [55].
► Pulse 78, regular (before taking); afterwards 120, [57]. ► Pulse 72 (before
taking); rose to 125, and became irregular, [58].
NECK AND BACK.
► Rigidity
of the nape of the neck, [54]. ►
Beating in the nape of the neck, [57].
EXTREMITIES.
► Contractions
of the arms and legs, [53]. ►
Sensation of stiffness in the limbs, [53]. ► Trembling of the arms, [54].
[960.] ►
Incoordination of the movements of the lower limbs, [53].
► Involuntary contractions of the tendons of the feet, [53].
GENERALITIES.
► Trembling
on moving either the hands or feet, [53]. ► Muscular feebleness, [52],
[55], [58]. ► General lassitude, [57].
FEVER.
► Frequent general
shuddering, [53]. ►
Extremities cold, [53], [54],
etc. ► Chilliness in the limbs, [54]. ► Pyrexia, [49]. ► Skin dry and hot, [53]. [970.] ► Heat of the face, [54].
APPENDIX: CANNABIS INDICA
The editor has deemed it expedient to retain the natural grouping and
sequence of the following affects, recorded by Dr. Edgar Holden in his work on the
sphygmograph (Philadelphia, 1874), thus preserving the association of some general symptoms
with the condition of the pulse.9.15 P.M. Feeling vigorous and well. First tracing normal, smooth, and
even (not recorded), 5 grains taken.9.35. A feeling of lightness perceptible. (Tracing 181.) Two records, at
0° and 2 1/2°. [These degrees refer to the pressure of the instrument on the artery,
regulated at will; 0° equals 100 grammes; 2 1/2° equals 186 grammes; 5° equals 690
grammes.] *Diminished frequency.10 P.M. Nervous and excited. (Tracing 182.) Two recorda at 4 1/2°.
Oscillation singularly marked; tension increased; amplitude and frequency diminished.10.05 P.M. Sudden freedom from any unusual feeling. (Tracing 183.) Two
records showing a sudden return of, or rather approach to, a normal condition.10.15 P.M. 7 grains more.
10.40 P.M. Excited. (Tracing 184.) Record at 2 1/2° shows capillary
resistance and wave of recoil.11.45 P.M. (Tracing 185.) Two records at 2 1/2° and 0° gave similar
results, indicating venous impletion. Frequency increased.11.50 P.M. Drowsy and calm. (Tracing 186.) Record at 2 1/2°.
11.55 P.M. (Tracing 187.) Record at 2 1/2°, both the latter exhibit
impaired propulsive power of the heart.Total amount, 12 grains within two hours.
November 2d, 1872, 9.15 P.M. 30 drops.
9.15 P.M. Beginning to feel an indefinable sensation of comfort. 9.20,
9.25, and 9.45 P.M. (Tracing 188.) Records all taken at the same pressure. At the latter
hour the amplitude began to show increase of tension.9.45 P.M. 40 drops more.
10 P.M. Slightly exhilarated. 10.15. Somewhat drowsy. Tracings at 9.50,
10 (tracing 189), and 10.15 P.M. (tracing 190) exhibit only increase of tension, with, at
the latter hour, diminished frequency equal to ten beats.10.20 and 10.25 P.M. (Tracing 191.) Tension and frequency variable.
10.25 P.M. All effects apparently gone. 40 drops more.
10.45 P.M. Again exhilarated. (Tracing 192.) Records exhibit great
increase of arterial tension.11 P.M. drowsy, but not pleasantly so, nor as if from desire to sleep.
(Tracing 193.) Frequency greatly increased, equal to thirty beats and falling in five
minutes as many; tension less.11.05 P.M. (Tracing 194.) Record shows increased cardiac excitement at
beginning of systole, with some obstruction, either proximate or distal.Total amount, 110 drops.
November 5th, 1872, 9 P.M. Feeling well. 100 drops. Tracing normal.
9.10 P.M. (Tracing 195.) Amplitude, and therefore tension increased,
frequency steadily diminishing till 9. 45. Tracings at 9.30, 9.45.10 P.M. No effects experienced. 120 drops more.
10.10 P.M. (Tracing 196.) Diminished tension and the oscillation of
cerebro-spinal implication. This tracing, by accident in transfer, fails to show this except
in the first wave.10.15 P.M. Same.
10.35 P.M. (Tracing 197.) Obstruction either proximate or remote.
10.40. (Similar to tracing 195.) Diminishing obstruction.
10.45 P.M. Very little effect. 200 drops more.
11.15 P.M. (Tracing 198.) Diminished tension and evident sedation, but
frequency slightly increased.11.18 P.M. No effect whatever. Same.
Total amount taken, 420 drops!
November 9th, 1872, 9.50 P.M. Feeling not well as usual, owing to
overwork; otherwise all right. 12 grains of fresh extract taken.10.15 P.M. A little nauseated and eyes heavy.
10 and 10.15 P.M. Tracings showed diminishing frequency and tension, and
not feeling well a pressure of 0° was found to be the best for observation, instead of 2
1/2° as heretofore.10.30 P.M. Feeling comfortable and well. (Tracing 199.) Frequency still
less; pulse small, but normal, showing sedation.10.45. Effect passing off; pulse somewhat excited. 14 grains more taken.
11.25. A few minutes exhilarated, then very drowsy, but no impairment of
will.11.25 and 11.40 P.M. (Tracings 200 and 201.) Records exhibited great
weakness of cardiac power, it being difficult to obtain them even at 0°.11.45 P.M. Drowsiness gone, and feel free from any effect. 11.45, 11.48,
and 11.50 P.M. (Tracing 202.) The records taken showed a sudden decrease of frequency and
tension, and equally sudden increase.12.50. Terrific excitement, twitchings, dreams, etc.; sensations as of
swelling of the head, painful insomnia and feeling of desperate recklessness.November 10th. (Tracings taken the day following the use of the drug.)
7.50 A.M. Peculiar action of medicine still evident, head swollen,
confusion of ideas, etc. Tracings small, and showing weak heart.12.30 M. Have been asleep and feel better; influence passing off.
(Tracing 203.) Same, but showing also the slight dicrotism of capillary dilatation.Total amount taken, 26 grains. Time, two hours and forty minutes.
SYNOPSIS OF EFFECTS.
First Experiment.
-5 grains, 9.15. After twenty minutes,
diminished frequency; after forty-five minutes, marked cerebral disturbance, exhibited in
oscillation and minimum amplitude and frequency, with increased tension. Maximum effect of first dose in forty-five minutes. In fifty
minutes sudden cessation of effect.Seven grains, 10.15. Maximum effect of second
dose in thirty minutes. In thirty-five minutes, capillary disturbance and
increased tension, with increased frequency. In forty minutes, beginning of impairment of
cardic impulse, continuing two hours from administration of remedy.
Second Experiment.
-30 drops of tr., 9.15 P.M. In thirty
minutes increased tension.Forty drops more, 9.45. In sixty minutes from first dose, diminished
frequency; arterial tension great. In one hour and ten minutes, irregularity in tension and
frequency, with increase in prominence of waves, showing cerebro-spinal stimulation.Forty drops more, 10.25. In one hour and forty-five minutes, great
increase of frequency, equal to thirty beats; falling as many in five minutes more, with
reduced tension. In one hour and fifty minutes from first dose, evidences of increased
irritability of the heart, with some obstruction, either proximate or remote. Maximum effect of tension in thirty-five minutes; of irritation in thirty-five minutes; of
frequency in one hour forty-five minutes; of diminished
power, one hour five minutes; of some obstruction
to circulation, one hour forty-five minutes.
First Experiment.
-5 grains, 9.15. In twenty minutes,
lightness. In forty-five minutes, nervousness and excitement. In fifty minutes, sudden
freedom from any effect.Seven grains, 10.15. In twenty-five minutes, excitement. In ninety-five
minutes, drowsiness and calm. Maximum effect, from first
dose, maximum of excitement in forty-five minutes; from second, maximum of excitement in
twenty-five minutes; maximum of sedative effect in twelve minutes.
Second Experiment.
-30 drops of tr., 9.15 P.M. In thirty
minutes quiet. In forty-five minutes, exhilaration. In one hour, drowsiness.Forty drops more, 9.45. In twenty minutes after second
dose, new excitement.Forty drops again, at 10.25. In thirty-five minutes, drowsiness. Maximum effect of exhilaration in this experiment forty-five
minutes from first dose; maximum of drowsiness, in one hour; of exhilaration after second
dose, in twenty minutes; of drowsiness, in thirty-five minutes.Synopsis of the two later experiments with Cannabis Indica need not be
given. It may be briefly said of them that the doses were large and repeated at nearly one
hour intervals. The effect was in the first of these apparent in the tracing in ten minutes,
and a steady diminution of frequency resulted, until in forty-five minutes there occurred
evidence of implication of the nervous system. In thirty-five minutes after the second dose
there appeared evidence of some obstruction to circulation, either near the heart or in the
capillaries, and after 420 drops had been taken, the arterial tension was greatly reduced,
with corresponding increase of the venous pressure, and marked sedation, just two hours and
fifteen minutes from the first dose, and thirty from the last and largest.Finally, sudden cessation of effect.
In the last experiment detailed, in which a fresh alcoholic extract was
again used, the following facts were noticed.First. Tracings abnormal from malaise at the beginning became normal in
forty minutes, with marked sedation and diminished frequency. In fifty-five minutes began
the stage of exhilaration, at which time a larger dose was taken. After fifty-five minutes
the heart’s impulsive power was evidently weakened, and shortly after began a vacillation,
alike of equilibrium, of pressure, and of weakness.In one hour and forty-five minutes the nervous system was broken down by
the excitement of reaction, a state lasting three hours.® 2000
Article