The sun., 1898-10-02
LIFE BLASTED BY HASH|SH
A Similar Drug to Opium Gets
the Best of a Bright Young
Man.
HASHISK SUPERCEDES OPIUM
Preparation of Hemp Which is Eate n
by Many Victims, One Of Whom
Lately Resided at
Farnhurst.

confines of the Delaware State Hospital
for the Insane a man-or rather a speci.
men of the wrecked bodily frame which
formerly existed with large degree Of
animation as man.
Long confinement in the above named
institution has apparently worked only
the slightest change in this man. condi-
tion. As he awaited the arrival of a
northbound train on the Delaware rail-
road he tottered and spoke his words 70
a companion in disjointed fashion.
The train arrived and was boarded by
the released inmate of the Hospital for
the Insane, and his companion. Arriving
in Wilmington the two proceeded with
quickened pace to an east side drug
store, at wich place the former resident
of Farnhurst produced prescription. AS
he handed it to the proprietor Of the
drug store his hand shook violently.
The proprietor read carefully the pre-
scription. Evidently it was genuine
one, for he nodded assent, and turning
to the long stretches OF Latin.labelled
bottles behind him, one long, slender
vial was soon in his grasp. 1t contained
an opaque liquid OF dark and sinister
green color. Reaching for a graduating
glass the druggist poured out small
quantity.
In twinkling he gulped the liquid,
which emitted a strong and disagreeable
odor, returned the graduating glass and
drained a goblet OF soda which the drug
gist thrust into his trembling hand.
"Give me back the prescription, doc
tor" said the customer, as he paid for
the drug and began to totter feebly from
the shop, "Ill be in for another dose
this evening"
Outside the drug store the young man
sought the support Of convenient lamp
post, against which he leaned for min
ute or two. Then he Strengthened up,
and a most wonderful transformation
took place. All evidences Of decrepi-
tude Vanished. The sodden dulness OF
his expression disappeared and was re-
placed by keen sensibility and intelli-
gence. His baggy form seemed to under
60 alterations and to conform more
closely with those lines of physique
which one would naturally expect to find
in person of his youth and develop
ment. This metamorphosis complete,
away he started at brisk pace and was
ingulfed by the burrying throng of
passersby.
Here was a puzzling situation and to
a representative of this paper thoughts
snd visions OF DR. Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde
came with greut rapidity. "What was
the matter with the young man" was
for long time on the mind of the repre-
sentative who finally concluded it was
alcoholism. Inquiry at the Delaware
State Hospital however disclosed the
truth. The man was not victim of
alcoholism, but confirmed eater of Hash
ish.
With this information and having
learned the name of the physician who
had attended the young man prior to his
advent at Farnhurst the reporter sought
that gentleman. From the physician it
was learned that the young fellow was
indeed victim, of habit which has
since proved to be greater than the
opium habit.
"The young man is one of the coun-
try's many hasbish eaters' said the
physician, "but is now 100 per cent.
better than when he entered the insttu-
ton over there. In fact was not quite
certain that the officials at the hospital
were aware of his trouble"
'This young fellow continued the
physician became addicted to this habit
in a peculiar way. 1t is powerful medi-
cine to cure one of the frequent diseases
caught by a young man who runs about
quite a good deal. He having contracted
this disease requested the use of Hashish
and has from that time on been its VIC
tim.
"Hashish is preparation of hemp
professionally known as Canabis 1ndica.
Il is a narcotic, further reaching in its
pernicious influences than any form Of
opium you may name. Indeed it has
opium in the favor of those
persons who are constantly in search of
new sensations.
'Ten years ago the larger cities was
filed with opium dens, many of which
we're palatial. Fortunes were expended
in fitting out a single joint, in creating a
environment to correspond
with the roseate visions supposed to visit
hose who hypnotized themselves with
he fumes of opium. Where are those
oints today? Where are those exclusive
lens that catered to persons who wished
% indulge the vice in assured and lux
lrious seclusion? They have disappeared
me and all. Only miserable, filthy
oints in side streets and remote purlieus
ire now running.
ut is not that a wave OF reformation
las swept the high-class places away,
,ut the one-time frequenters and sup
,orters of exclusive opium joints have
Undergone change of affections. They
lave taken up hashish as a means Of
more thoroughly satiating their appe- ..
ties.
'Many of the opium eaters who have
discarded that narcotic for hashish are
nen of keen sensiblities. Some are men
# a high order of intellect and intelli- .
ence. 1t is to such persons that the ef- :
ects of hashish appeal with greatest fas-
ination. 1t distorts the fancy far more !.
han opium, as you noticed by observing !
his young man, and the immagery begot :
t it when first used is more kaleido- .
copic and pleasing than any form Of !
plum gives. !
"It has been contended bv an astute
that true happiness will
My be possible when time and space =
re abolished. Well, this is what hash a
III temporarily accomplishes. Itsweeps i
ON the mind all idea of chronological -.