The effect of a full dose, however, is at last to produce the complete withdrawal of the mind from any distinct comprehension of ex ternal things ; the povver of the will over the current of thought is in like manner suspended, and the condition of the mind becomes the same in all essential particulars with that of the ordinary dreamer ; differing in this chiefly, that the feelings are more strongly ex erted, and that they still take their tone almost entirely from external impressions. Thus, says M. Moreau*, " It will be entirely dependent on the circumstances in which we are placed, the objects which strike the eyes, the words which fall on our ears, whether the most lively sentiments of gaiety or of sadness shall be produced, or passions of the most opposite nature shall be excited, sometimes with extraordinary' violence ; for irritation shall pass rapidly into rage, dislike to hatred, and the desire of vengeance and the calmest affection to the most transporting passion. Fear becomes terror, courage is developed into rashness which nothing checks, and which seems not to be conscious of danger, and the most unfounded doubt or suspicion becomes a certainty. The mind has a tendency to exag
gerate everything, and the slightest impulse carries it along. Those who make use of the hachisch in the East, when they wish to give themselves up to the intoxication of the fan tasia, take great care to withdraw themselves from everything which could give to their de lirium a tendency to melancholy, or excite in them anything else than feelings of pleasurable enjoyment. They profit by all the means which the dissolute manners of the East place at their disposal. It is in the midst of the harem, surrounded 'oy their women, under the charm of music and of lascivious dances executed by the Almees, that they enjoy the intoxicating dawamesc ; and with the aid of superstition, they find themselves almost transported to the scene of the numberless marvels which the Prophet has collected in his Paradise."*