Case CXLIV

At eleven o'clock three persons had taken the liquid, namely, Messrs. A. K., a celebrated novelist, of a very powerful organization, D., an advocate, one of the best scholars of the University, and B., a painter and musician. On the expiration of two hours, no sensible effect being produced, another dose was administered. The following are the phenomena which occurred in two of the gentlemen in the course of another half-hour. Mr. A. K. resisted the action of the substance, and, as he said, only experienced a slight oppression of the head and epigastrium; perhaps, also, the second repast which he took, all these gentlemen having already breakfasted, may have entirely neutralized the substance. An examination of the state of the pulse was neglected at the beginning of the experiment; its acceleration subsequently, and the state of the pupil, sufficiently demonstrated the effect of the substance.

* The article Haschisch, in the Supplement of the Dictionnaire des Dic-tionnaires de Medecine, 1851, p. 325, edited by Dr. Foy, our colleague in the mission for the study of Cholera in Poland, 1831. Memoire sur le Haschisch, par M. Gastinel, pharmacion au Caire, et publice dans le Repertoire de Pharmacie, 1840, t. vi. p. 129.

Mr. B., on whom the medicine first took effect, experienced a dryness of the throat and twitching of the limbs; the pulse was 96 in the minute, the face flushed. Mr. B. soon closed his eyes in order to collect himself; his ideas appeared to develop with extreme rapidity. At one moment he offered the singular phenomenon of a double man, already described in other experiments; he said he heard music on one side, and conversation on the other; but this symptom did not continue. The music, which was performed by M. C, principal performer of the Conservatoire, did not appear to act in any particular manner on the subject of experiment. At this time the pupils were much dilated. Interrogated as to his sensations, M. B. said that they were very voluptuous. He felt particularly gay and happy; he wished to be alone in a quiet place; he had great repugnance to speak or to move; all countenances appear to him ridiculous.

Until now M. B. had conversed; he moved about, and sometimes laughed violently, but all his actions resembled those of a person excited by alcoholic liquor. Suddenly, he flung himself on a couch, refused to answer any more questions, and begged to be left alone, and not be disturbed in the delicious sensations he experienced; he had spasmodic movements in his members, and in the diaphragm; he sighed, moaned, laughed, and wept by turns; the pulse 120 a minute, the face much flushed. The persons present began to feel uneasy; but were reassured, on hearing Mr. B. repeat several times that he was happy and did not suffer. Dr. Cottereau watched the symptoms with the greatest minuteness. Mr. B. appeared the whole time to have the most agreeable sensations proceeding from the epigastrium. All the phenomena presented were those of ecstasy; his features bespoke the greatest happiness; he could not find language to express his feelings; he would not wish to leave his present condition; he is so happy! "How much I thank those who gave me that delicious drink!" - " Tell me what you feel," said one of the party. - "I cannot express it." The influence of Mr. B.'s temperament was remarked throughout this experiment; he is possessed of great sensibility. In speaking of gay subjects, and pointing out lively and agreeable objects, his ideas harmonized instantly; he shouted with laughter, and evinced the greatest gayety. It was evident, in this case, that he was under the influence of the person who spoke to him, who could direct his ideas as he chose. Mr. B.'s sense of hearing had become extremely acute; he very distinctly heard what was said far off and in a low voice. In the midst of his ecstasy, he neither lost consciousness of persons nor things. He replied correctly to all questions addressed to him, and knew those who surrounded him; but it was evidently painful to him to speak; he seemed to wish to enjoy his ecstasy undisturbed. At half after four, the pulse is 90; his ecstatic reveries continue; he is conscious of anything relating to earth; his mind is perfectly free, and yet he has delicious sensations. Mr. A. de G. proposes to give him an antidote, and bring him back to his natural state; he says that the sensation of happiness will last for a day or two. All whom I have interrogated, who have tried the experiment, have assured me that they have not felt any distress on the following days, but, on the contrary, a great sensation of happiness.

M. D., the second subject, came to the meeting with the conviction that the substance would not produce any effect upon him, and with the firm intention to resist its action. No symptom occurred for two hours and a half. The physiognomy of M. D. is grave. His character is serious; he rarely laughs, and devotes himself to his metaphysical studies.

Towards two o'clock, his pulse rose to 100; his heart beat frequently; several persons felt its pulsations. M. D., who until now had been very calm, and conversed with the company on different subjects, exclaimed that he was delirious; he began to sing, took out his pencil, and endeavored to write down what he felt. Here are some fragments of his notes: "It is droll; my feelings are very vivid; the idea of being useful without fear, made me decide on taking this excellent drink; I am singular. They are laughing at me; I will not write any more." He threw away his paper; his delirium increased. The features of M. D. become very flexible; he laughs sardonically: the expression of his eye is animated, his face red, his pulse 120, the pupil dilated.

Like Mr. B., he looks extremely happy; laughs, sings, gesticulates, and speaks with extreme volubility. His ideas follow each other with rapidity; it is the derangement of gay mania. But in the midst of this abundance,-mobility, and variableness of ideas, those which form the basis of his studies predominate. These serious subjects are intermixed with pleasantries, bonmots, and puns. His tongue is dry; he spits frequently; his inferior extremities are slightly convulsed. He remarks on this himself, and says: "This is a very singular delirium." Like Mr. B., his hearing and sight are very acute. He has no notion of time and space, but recognizes every one present, and replies correctly to questions put to him. He draws out his watch, and says, with the greatest calmness: "It is such an hour." A multitude of ideas seem to fill his head, which he cannot express; he says: "You might take an ear, or an eye, if you could give me another tongue to make known what I feel."