Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-20

century of the Christian era in Persia.
and soon spread through Syria and Arabia.
The chief OF the sect, spoken of as the
Old Man of the Mountains controlled his sub
iects by the influence of hasheesh. Persons held
worthy to membership in that bloody commu-
nifty were subjected to the most seductive i'm
pressions while underline influence of hasheesh
and led to believe themselves chosen instru-
ments OF supernatural power. The chief lone
possessed the secret of the drug. So complete
was the control that the chief had over his men
that II he should say to one kill YOURSELF the
man would Immediately do it. That fact has
been illustrated many times. Then if one or
more members of the sect were directed to as
sassiIfate a certain man in the kingdom, they
would do it, even though they sacrificed
their lives in the effort, which was
oftentlmes the case. new applicant for men,
bership to the sect was invited to the chiefs
palace or castle. where he sat down to delight
ful feast. and was intoxicated with hasheesh,
which was concealed i'm his food. Then he began
to experience the most delightful visions. and
while in that state he was carried into the most
beautiful garden where he enjoyed foretaste
OF heaven; beautiful flowers and trees, beautiful
women and all the sensual and enervating de-
lights which the prophet promised to his follow
ers. From that moment he became firm be-
lever and follower of the prophet in other
words, the Old Man of the Mountains. Al
though degenerated the assassins are not yet
extinct. They still exist in certain portions Of
Asia. but, being an ignorant set of people, the,
have no knowledge of their former power, and
Consequently are apparently harmless.
but, said the writer. docs it not at times
cause just the opposite sensation to that of hap
p.ness? For instance. i'm the case OF the Assas-
sins, it urges men to brutality and murder and
the natives of Southern Asia and Africa are said
while under the effects of hasheesh, to run
amuck, and
COMMIT HORRIBLE DEEDS"
"ln the case of the Assassins, replied the Pro-
fessOr. cit was their devotion to the chief that
caused them to commit murder. Running
amuck, though attributed to hasheesh, is not
the case. The drug will never produce that
effect The only explanation can give is that
it may have been taken with stramonium. better
known as jamestown weed. which would prob
abby produce the effect described"
"Are there other narcotics OF stimuIants con-
tanning properties similar to hasheesh?" the
writer inquired.
''1es. though not exactly the same," an
wered the Professor. "StramOnium will cause
remarkable phenomena, but if taken in suffi-
cent quantity will also result in death. Bella
donna will cause fantastic dreams similar to
those produced by hashcesh. But there is no
drug save opium that will answer the purpose
of hasheesh.'
Il should juge.' remarked the writer, ''if
the properties of hasheesh were generally.
known there would be many people who would
tionS"
No doubt" was the rejoinder ''Ths is the
first thought the young chemist has when he be-
gins to study up that subject; but in nine cases
ont or ten tue expermenter is made sick; he
experiences no pleasure whatever. In the first
place, it is difficult to obtain the genuine prepa-
ration of hasheesh. In the second place, the
people Of this northern climate are not consti-
tuted as the people of the southern climate. and
consequently the effects will not always be the
9 tnln I rnf I,iy, a.
the Professor significantly. "A man can very
easily become slave of the habit
"Have you experimental with it," the writer
ventured to ask.
Yes" he replied.
land the effect!"
'Was similar to those have described. /
felt decidedly happy and everything appeared
ludlcrOus. l would laugh without the least
provocation. Then the phenomena of time and
space was the same as that of which l have
spoken: lived through every pleasant Incl
dent of my life again. All my friends-frends
of my childhood seemed to pass before nv
eyes dressed in holiday attire, like the working
OF panorama Every one was smiling My
body seemed to be devoid Of weight, and felt
as though could walk on air. But l took the
genuine article. preparation I had had i'm
ported from India; and then the effect upon you.
even though you took the genuine preparation
might not be pleasant. 1t is drug that very
little is known of, and, l might say, is dan
gerous to experiment with. The physicians of
the present day know very little Of it's use and
1t is very rarely used in prescriptions"
but 1t can be obtained in frst-class drug
Stores can it not, and there are people here
who are
HABITUAL HAsHEESH EATERs?"
young man" said the Professor, with great
severity, your persistent inquiry on that par
ticular point is remarkable. But, as remarked
before, l would not advise you to experiment
with it. 1t is.a bad thing. There are habitual
hasheesh eaters in this country, and in this city.
but they are no better than habitual drunkards
Fortunately, however, they are few, which is
more than l can say Of the opium eaters. If
you wish to have pleasant thoughts. lead a
moral life, work hard and do your duty and
you will not find time for unpleasant thoughts
or memories, which ought not to exist in the
mind OF man who has lived good life If
you want a little recreation or pleasure, some
thing to aid in producing the visionary, do as
dO-smoke quiet pipe, and then, If you are
not able to build some of the talest air castles.
you had better build small ones without the use
OF narcotics"
''But what serious physical results will con-
slant use OF the drug havel"
Like many other pleasure producing habits.
it Is injurious. For momentary happiness q
man may lose his health and sacrifice many
years of his life That rule is not confined en-
tirely to hasheesh eating alone, but excess of
"hy picoSdc tlidG requires n mental OF PHYSICAL
effort will lead to the same results
us 1t ever used as a narcotic in preference to
opium and similar drugs?"
Eyes, it has been successfully used in many
cases, replied the Professor. ''FOr instance, in
cases or amputation or other surgical opera
lions that would necessarily be painful to the
patient"
lis there any effectual antidote for hasheesh3"
the writer finally asked.
''There is no effectual antidote. The juice Of
a lemon will allay the sensations somewhat but
will not restore the person to his normal state"
concluded the Professor.
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