New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-23
An ExPERIMENT BITH HASHISH.
TIE TrRRoRs OF NIGHT IN INpIA-sTRANGr
HALLUcINATIoNs.

TIE TrRRoRs OF NIGHT IN INDIA-sTRANGE
HALLUcINATGoNs.
An American who lived for several years in
India recently told TRIBUNE reporter the following
story of his experiences with the wel-known Eastern
drug Hashish. Cnnnabis indica- Hashish said the
American used by the natives OF lndia rs stinu'
liant aud intoxcant It's use being confined 10 no speea
sect or class though the natives Of high caste are prop
by more addicted to this of inoxication than the
Iowcr oriers A native friend, who confirmed
had often described the wonderful power
of the ding and had repeatedly endeavored to overcome
NV preddice aud persuade me 10 make flal OF It's VII
tnes In an hour curiosity got the better OF piu-
dencc and took a small pellet OF che darkgeen arc
matte PASTE The moment swallowed II would have
given a round sum to have had 1t safely In my hand
again. However, my native friend was with me- and
resolved to fuss about the matter and take TIE
chance OF any specially Ill effects
III was after 10 Mt night when took the pill and
remained for several hours talking With my friend so
that 1t was probably l O'Clock when returned TO my
quarters fell asleep almost soon as blew out the
candle How long had been asleep could not tell but
awoke with start without that gradual return to
ull consciousness which is characteristic OF healthy
soep was wdeawake in an instant, every sense NOR
ldly acutcy alive and conscious Of peculiar feeling In
my hands and II were holding the wires OF
battery The was pitch dark felt that must
get light AT once the nky backness seeming to press me
ont for one OF the matches, OF which always kept
supply on a table ut my bedside and Icy thrill shot
through me as 1 touched cold twisted body OF.
snake tried to withdraw NY hand. but to my horror it
seemed parayzed and slowly and painfully dragged 1t
from the oathsome contact. Hours seemed to pass be-
fore found ysel sitting up In bed aud staring toward
the object OF my fears through the thick gloom which
surrounded me-
tried TO get out OF bed to flee. was In an agony
of terror out It seemed II weights were dragging me
backward and hours passed before my slow drag
ring limbs had carried me TO the mantepiece. With
trembling fingers struck a match. Slowly II famcd uD
ana liz one OF the which stood the emf OF the
mantelpeee The moment the light filled the room my
manic vanished with the shadows, ana looking toward
Inc table found object OF my terrors was simply the
long cured stem OF my hookah which darkness and my
oyerwrought nerves had transformed ihlo some acauiy
reptile .,.. -, .,,.,.,uo.. and ,,ro,,,. attn CON-
tInued. I looked at my watch and thoushtlt had
n,oyements OF the second with distinct and pro-
longed pause between each movement ms sense OF
time or rather of the perception Of time, per
haps the most marked effect OF experiment with the
drug. took up the water Jug ana long LeIoie nau
seemed TO my dsorlcred II gallons OF water
had poured down my throat. when IN reality had only
drank few ounces. SO long AS kept my eyes open
there was little suffering except the loss OF ali sense
OF time. looked repeatedly at my watcn ana couo
hand IL had not stopped Tor the few had
lighted candle seemed like hours, days, weeks SUI
denly WIS oppressed with feeling OF loneliness an IN
tense desire Tor cOmpanonshp which became strung
that resolved to seek my friend whose house was wi.n
many times convinced that must be under some spell
or in dream, and only by repeatedly consuming NY
watch could I myself that the endless task Oh
dressing wa, In reality only matter Of few moments
"when last prepared TO seek my lrienu
Tourney Probably change into tho night air rendered
the effects OF the drug more powerful put ~ M
y and in the few steps the house OF the man was
senF lived eme na. os1sf
my the speed of lightning only " give place