DIGESTIVE DISORDERS. — In certain diseases of the stomach and digestive apparatus the drug is often and preferable to opium, in that it does not inhibit (but, instead, increases) ap petite; does not interfere with the secre tions of either pancreas or liver, and does not constipate or check renal secretion.
Cannabis Indica is very valuable in the treatment of gastric neurosis and gastric dyspepsia. It allays painful sen sation and improves appetite. It has no action on atony or dilatation of the stomach, but is of great service in pro moting stomach digestion in cases of hyperchlorhydria; in anachlorhydria it acts feebly. Intestinal digestion is also improved by its use. On the whole, it may be considered as a true sedative of the stomach, and it lacks the disad vantages that accrue to opium, bismuth, potassium bromide, antipyrine, etc. Germain See (Bull. Gen. de Then, July 29, '90).
In anorexia following exhaustive dis eases—where there is repugnance and intolerance of food in almost every form that is not relieved by acids, nux vornica, and bitters—from 5 to 10 minims of tincture of cannabis. or 1; to grain of the solid extract, given thrice daily before meals. often brings back the appetite in two or three days. In dyspeptic diarrhcea also, and the first months of true tropical diarrhceas, it is often of great service. Tropical diarrhcea is primarily and essentially a disease of the liver, and mercury should be administ ed to medicate that organ, while acts by diminishing the irritability and excessive peristalsis of the intestines. McConnell (Prac., London, Feb., 'SS).
CEPHALALGIA.—Many have praised the drug in the treatment of headache, even the severe forms attending bral growths, or where the cephalalgia is dependent on ura2mic poisoning.
It is almost a specific for that con tinuous form of headache which begins in the morning and lasts all day, the pain being generally dull and diffuse, but marked by occasional exacerbations. Mackenzie (La Sem. Med., No. 14, '94).
Cannabis Indica is an excellent remedy for megrim, or sick headache, and it is somewhat surprising that it is not more frequently employed; the ex tract may be given in doses of from to 'I, grain in the form of a pill. When the patient suffers constantly from headache, or is liable to an attack on the slightest provocation, a pill may be taken three times a day for many weeks at a time without the slightest fear of the production of any untoward effect. Should the patient not speedily obtain relief, care must be taken to ascertain that the extract employed is physio logically active. Excellent results are often obtained by administration of pills containing 4 grains of cannabin tannate, one being given three times a day after meals. Murrell ("Manual of Filar. and Ther.," '96).
Cannabis Indica is an invaluable rem edy in the treatment of disturbances of the sensory centres. It is one of the best remedies in headaches of many kinds, and is especially useful in cephalic sensations so common in individuals of neurotic habit. Tincture or fluid extract preferred. Five to I0 drops of fluid ex tract may be taken on moist sugar, swal lowed with a draught of water. Angel Money (Australasian Med. Gaz., Feb.. 1900).