Investigations carried out on writer himself were made to determine the active ingredient producing the peculiar visual hallucinations described by Pren tiss and Morgan, Weir Mitchell, and others. In the first place, an alcoholic extract of mescal buttons corresponding to 4'/, drachms was taken, and after ward an amount of the individual alka loids corresponding to the quantity in the extract. The active ingredient was found to be mescaline. The symptoms produced, both by the alcoholic extract and mescaline grains), were colored visual hallucinations, slowing of the pulse, dilatation of the pupil, loss of time-relations, heaviness of the limbs, nausea, and headache. After anhaloui dine (l'h to grains) some sleepiness and heaviness of the head were observed, but no visions or change in the pulse. Anhalonine (1 'A grains) only produced slight sleepiness, while lophophorine grain) induced a painful feeling at the back of the head and burning and redness of the face. The pulse fell from 78 to 70 per minute, but all the symp toms were transient. After a resin ob
tained from the plant no visions or other typical symptoms, except heaviness of the limbs, were obtained; thus the theory that this is the active ingredient is dis posed of. Heffter (Archly 1. Exp. Path. u. Pharm., xl, 3S5, '98).
Anhalonium, in drop doses, a sustainer of the respiration and a cardiac stimu lant. Seminal emissions may occur from its use without erection. A valuable ad juvant to digitalis. according to Landry.
Therapeutics.—The use of mescal but tons is credited with beneficial results in general "nervousness." nervous headache, nervous irritable cough, abdominal pain due to colic or griping of the intestine. hysterical manifestations, and in other similar affections where an antispasmodic is indicated; as a cerebral stimulant in depressed conditions of the mind,—hypo chondriasis, melancholia, and allied con ditions; as a substitute for opium and chloral in conditions of great nervous irritability or restlessness, active delirium and mania, and in insomnia caused by pain, in color-blindness.