Cannabis extract (solid), to 2 grains.
Cannabis extract (fluid), to 6 minims.
Cannabin (resin), 1 to 5 grains. Cannabindon, V, to 1 minim. Cannabine (alkaloid), V., to 4 grains. Cannabin tannate, 2 to 15 grains. Cannabine (liquid), 1 to 3 minims. Cannabinine, to 1 grain. Cannabis tincture, 5 to 30 minims. Cannabis-butter, 2 to S grains. Liquor cannabis (Lees's), 15 to 60 minims.
Physiological Action.—The alkaloids appear to be purely hypnotic in action; but all other preparations exhibit, in a general way, the action of the crude drug. Minute doses are sedative to the spinal centres, and even when frequently repeated exhibit little to be remarked, except, perhaps, there may be slight con traction of the pupils; but there is, nevertheless, inculcated a feeling of comfort and well-being, and not infre quently the drug appears to steady the action of the heart. Larger doses are stimulant; they first induce increased arterial action, followed by exhilaration, and, as the latter passes off, drowsiness or stupor succeeds, that may be almost cataleptic; but the awakening is free from malaise, nausea, headache, or other untoward symptoms; the pupil of the eye is expanded. The preliminary effect is more powerful and lasting than that of opium, and the slumber it induces is commonly disturbed by dreams and spectral illusions. Also the sensory nerves are affected, as is evidenced by marked numbness and tingling, ushering in cutaneous and diminution of the muscular sense. Appetite is gen erally stimulated, and marked aphrodisia is not uncommon. Withal it is a valu able anodyne and antispasmodic, its in fluence being manifested through the brain and cord.
Cannabis Indica likewise exhibits a marked predilection for the urinary apparatus, being strongly stimu lant or sedative to the mucous tissue thereof in accordance with the mode of exhibition and size of dose; it is some times markedly diuretic, and appears to be excreted in part by the kidneys; but beyond this the eliminative process is unknown. Further, in atonic conditions or inertia during labor, it stimulates uterine activity and induces logical contractions, and at a time when ergot and kindred remedies prove use less.
The effects of cannabis Indica vary ac cording to the manner in which it is taken into the system. When smoked. exhilaration is most manifest, while when taken by the mouth in small quan tities this is generally not observed. Where an immedate effect is desired the drug should be smoked, the fumes being drawn through water. By the mouth, one hour to two hours are necessary be fore absorption occurs, but the effects are more lasting than when it is inhaled. The hemp when taken as an inhalation may be placed in the same category as coffee, tea, and kola. Used by the mouth it should be classified with the narcotics. No danger is to be apprehended while the heart remains strong and regular. Dixon (Brit. Med. Jour., Nov. 11. '99).
Poisoning by Cannabis Indica.—In large doses the drug appears toxic, and yet, strange to say, in spite of the enor mous quantities (relatively) that have been ingested on certain occasions, either accidentally or purposely, a case of death directly referable to this drug has yet to be recorded.
In a case after cannabis Indica in large dose the existence of muscular contrac tions was noted, followed later by con vulsive movements, evidently due to ac tion of the drug on the spinal cord. Aside from acceleration of the pulse-rate and feeling of fullness in the artery at the wrist, there was, just previous to the occurrence of unconsciousness, a sense of extreme tension in the abdominal blood vessels: they felt distended almost to bursting. After some hours the urine was markedly increased in quantity. No constipation resulted. There was no fore boding nor fear of impending death. Robert C. Bicknell (Thera. Gazette, No. 1, p. 13, '93).
Treatment of Poisoning.—Cannabis is antagonized by caustic alkalies, vinegar and other acids, strychnine, electricity, antimonials, and blisters to the nape of the neck.