Omaha daily bee., 1882-10-13
a RASHlSR PARTY.
Testing Scientifically a Famous
oriental Drug.
How Three Persons Wore Ats ct sd
by the Persian lKntoxicant.

"If you will call and see me at
about 8 o'clock on Monday evening""
wrote a we'll known English physician
who ia at present staying in this city
in the neighberhood of Union Square,
"Iwill giveyou an opportunity OF trying
the effects of hashish, the drug with
which Alexandra Dumas worked his
miracles in Monte Cristo.'" The
physicians graphic description of the
extraordinary properties of the re
nowned Oriental in~toxicant 90 much
impressed the reporter to whom the
invitation was addressed that no at
once made up his mind to be present
| and to see for himself whether or not
the description was overrated.
Hashish is a preparation of Can
nabis Indica, or Indian hemp. It
consists mainly of the resinous exuda-
ton of the plant. mixed with some
strongly favored compound which
hides it's naturally bitter taste. DR..
Pereira, u high medical authority,
calls the drug a soother of pain, a
narcotic, an intoxicant and a sudoriic.
Prof. Beattey and other say that its
general effects are similar to those Of
opium, but do not involve the UNI
pleasant after results which follow
the administration of the latter. Very
little seems to be known about the
mysterious proceed; and although the
hemp from which the resin is procured
is the same plant which is grown for
manufacturing purposes. in temperate
climates, it is only the hemp grown
in NepauI, Herat, Persia and Il few
other tropical and semi-tropical coun-
tries which supplies hashish possessing
the peculiar properties which have
rendered it 30 useful to the novelist,
and 30 interesting to the man of
science. In India the leaves and
stalk of the plant are, at certain sea.
sons, covered with this resinous exu-
dalton, which is collected by men in
leather dresses. These men run rap
idly through the hemp-fields until
their garments are thickly coated with
it.; and the result is o oreenish, sticky
substance, with slight aromatic color
and bitter taste. For the purpose OF
medicine, however, the drug is pro-
cured in q more effectual way by ma
cerat,ng the towering top of the fe-
male hemp plant in spirit. The mass
is then pressed, and the liquor is dis
titled and ev%aporated by mea of "A
water bath.
The reporter reached the English
doctors rooms punctually at 8 O'Clock.
Two other gentlemen, an American
doctor and a musical composer, were
already there.
ST have" said the physician, Gre
ceived from Persie q small quantity OF
what | am assured is real hashish.
He produced 2 little box, which had
been covered with silk and carefully
sealed. This he opened and handed
to his guests for their inspection. The
box contained adark green viscid mass
mixed with following particles, AND
partly enveloped IN withered rose
leaves. All present regarded the drug
with curiosity, and expressed Their
willingness to try its effects; but the
physician having declared that they
would DO nor susceptible to its infu'
snce after having had something &c
eat, all sat down TO supper. The Eng
lish doctor Was in some doubt rs tc
how much Of the drug should be taken,
and the American, who had brought
in his pocket pair Of small scales and
a number OF very minute weights, sug-
gested twelve or fifteen grains might
be swallowed with IMMUNITY. Final
ly, however, it was decided that, as
the compound which had been sen
from Persia was evidently not as pot,
ent as the pure e~Xtractum csnnabHI
indicm il would be sate To take hall
teaspoonful of it. Having finished
supper, the physician n his gdestl
each swallowed that quantity, The
natural bitterness OF the drug
was almost concealed by some con
lection, apparently consisting o.
sugar and crushed almonds, with
which it had BEEN mixed. i
was amueing to see the anxiety de
picted on the tace Of the musical gen
tleman ag he took his dose. He eyi
IDENTIFY expected that it's effects woulC
be instantaneous, and that he woulc
at once subside upon the carpet in al
uncomfortable frenzy. In five min
utes, however, as he felt as well as be
fore he began to express his incred
ulity. The American doctor improved
the occasion and read a number o.
notes from medical writer's upon thu
subject of Indian hemp. For more
than an hour no one complained OF
any abnormal sensations; and tbs
composer was the first who afforded
any indications that the hashish wa
affecting him. He assumed a jaunty