THE HASHEESH EATER
of the eyelid, followed at last by a comatose state, lasting for
hours, out of which it was almost impossible fully to arouse
the energies. These symptoms, together with a peculiar
rigidity of the muscular system, and inability to measure the
precise compass and volume of the voice when speaking,
brought the case nearer in resemblance to those recorded
by Dr. O'Shaughnessy, of Calcutta, as occurring under his
immediate inspection among the natives of India, than any I
have ever witnessed.
At half-past seven in the evening, and consequently after
supping instead of before, as I should have preferred, he took
twenty-five grains of the drug. This may seem a large bolus
to those who are aware that from fifteen grains I frequently
got the strongest cannabine effect; but it must be kept in
mind that, to secure the full phenomena, a much greater dose
is necessary in the first experiment than ever after. Unlike
all other stimuli with which I am acquainted, hasheesh,
instead of requiring to be increased in quantity as existence in
its use proceeds, demands rather a diminution, seeming to
leave, at the return of the natural state (if I may express
myself by rather a material analogy), an unconsumed capital
of exaltation for the next indulgence to set up business
upon.
For a while we walked silently. Presently I felt my
companion shudder as he leaned upon my arm. “ What is
the matter, Bob?” I asked. ‘Oh! I am in unbearable
horror,” he replied. “If you can, save me!” ‘ How do you
suffer?” “This shower of soot which falls on me from
heaven is dreadful!”
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