New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-07-18
The Horrors Of Hashfsh.

The following remarkable experience
the effects of Cannabis India or India
hemp, commonly known as hashish, Occu
red to young man in this city, not Ion
ago, and will be found of interest in illu.
trsting several curious psychological PHI
nOmena. The experimenter was q yOun
man, twenty three years of age, of ligh
complexion and nervous temperament. H
was entirely ignorant Of the usual effects O
the drug. and somewhat sceptical in regar,
to it. The experiment was made in tn
presence of q scientific gentleman. and tn
dose taken was ten grains, in pills of on
grain each. given to him three at dose a
intervals of an hour. Below is his own &C
count Of the affair written shortly after hi
recovery:
am private secretary to literary gen
tleE1an who is mainly Interested in ta&
study of mental sciences hearing of hashish
in general way, but being ignorant of its
particular effects, l conceived the notion OF
taking some, and on Monday evening last,
having procured ten grains, in the presence
of Mr.. - 1.-THE gentleman referred tO)
made the experiment. At seven O'Clock
At eight, no effect having been produced, I
took three more. had firmly made up
my mind to give the drug no advantage by
allowing my imagination to centre upon it,
and believing, to q great degree, in the
power of will, was resolved to be the
victim of no delusion, therefore resolutely
turned my thoughts from myself and en-
gagged in game of cards with Mr.. -. At
9P. M. being still unaffected in any way, l
swallowed the remaining four pills. We had
finished our game, and Mr.. - was ex-
planning theory in which was deeply
interested, following his remarks with an
attention that excluded all remembrance of
the hashish, when its first effect was per-
ceived. My movements became stronger.
Il uyon MT ooGsk
G. pausiDg, inquired the cause. and on
looking at my hands and feet found them
in violent motion. / b,ushed at this dis
covery, and apologized profueely for the
interruption. A few moments later was
again mortified at being detected in the act
OF drawing numerous figures with my
fingers end upon the carpet. This NORTH.
cation was not caused, as might be sup
posed, by the knowledge that had exhibit
cd an eccentricity when so steadfastly re-
solved not to be affected by the drug, for at
the time l firmly believed myself to be
acting voluntarily; l was mortified, rather,
that had been guilty Of what seemed to
of etiquette. However, Mr.. - took no |
notice of my confusion, and continued his |
remsrks. l am unable to say whether 1 |
followed them or not, probably not; for / |
was again suddenly reminded of nv condi- |
ton bv his stopping abruptly. At this third
interruption l grew frightened. The hor-
role thought suggested itself that Mr.. -
hashish, and that u. not knowing how to
carry ON the deception 90 foolishly begun.
would soon be discovered by him as an i'm.
poster. That he would murder me in case of
discovery had doubt, nor would he kill
me with blow, but rather torture me to
death l would have the end of my teeth
broken off with q small hammer, and made
hold INV mouth. ho w,ru1I v>,< Ii. /
foot on my chest, and, sticking the point of
his cane into my eye, lean on it and turn it |
around as had often leaned on and twisted
poor caterpillars. No murderer, hesitating
between the chances of successful trial
and an appeal to the mercy of man BY q |
than underwent At that moment. would ,
throw myself at his feet snd beg for mercy;
but then the cane, and the horrible agony
If having ones eyes put out No, must
larry on the deception.
The time occupied in forming this cOnclu- ,
ZION Mr.. - has since told me could not i
nave been over q few seconds, az one move q
vas quickly followed BY another, but to me :
{ seemed years. / remember that won I
Tered, in the midst of my anguish, how it l
vas that he could sit there SO long, await |,
ng my decision, without food: why he |,
idn't die. and whether if could delay de- v
idiDg few more years he would not die e.
arose from my seat. would pretend to b
Q drunk. perhaps l might be able yet to G,
eceive him. staggered about the room; in
seemed miles in length. The staggering b.
ait tired me, but was obliged to 70 on. te
t last. fearing that l bad in my zeal over m
one the character, l threw myself on to
10 sofa in despair and burst into tears
g the tears coursed down my cheeks TO
me the thought, this, at least, is not in
ting" can not express the joy I'll
e discovery brought; il was like Q bu