CH. XII.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 253
re-action of the
cerebrum, which is arrested in its full and regular function, and
the
coming into play of the cellular elements under the influence of an
external and
abnormal excitation which is different from the usual stimulation.
As already
pointed out, this excitation may affect one part of the brain more
than another;
hence the apparent difference in the symptoms, which may also vary
in different
individuals, although they are under the influence of the same
poison. The toxic
substance does not add any new element to those which the normal
brain possesses,
and herein lies the great difference between the superadded
insanity and the insanity
which the brain produces itself between toxic derangement and
psychosis. All or
nearly all slight intoxications, from whatever cause, are
characterised by certain
general symptoms—(1) excitation of the organ of thought; (2)
intoxication; and
(3) incoherence of ideas and actions. In organic derangement there
is a qualitative
ideational alteration; in toxic derangement there is only a
functional disturbance,
and a quantitative modification of psychical expression. The
special symptoms
are of infinite variety, and this variation of the special
phenomena depends upon
two factors—(a) the localization of the toxic effects in a
special cell group in the
brain; and (b) on individual re-action. Nervous and
predisposed persons appear to
be more easily affected than normal subjects. Certain toxic
substances, such as
alcohol and morphia, etc., do not produce the same effects on all
individuals, male or
female, under all latitudes. A large number of substances produce
cerebral effects,
but rarely in consequence of certain individual dispositions. Among
labourers
who handle carbon disulphide or aniline, some only present mental
disorders.
The individual factor with its idiosyncrasies plays here, as
everywhere, a very im-
portant part. There are other factors, too, which have to be
considered, the de-
gree of education, reason, locality, dosage, and mode of
preparation of the drug, all
of which may modify the symptoms. Thus the hallucinations of the
Western
people under the influence of hashish are not identical with the
voluptuous dreams of
the Orientals. The simple intellectual disorders produced by
various poisons are of
two kinds—(1) the condition of excitement, and (2) the condition of
depression;
but these two conditions do not exclude each other. Thus in the
case of hemp
drugs, depression or narcosis usually follows the initial
excitement. In addition to
the intoxication and general disturbance of the mind, mental
poisons produce also
insane conditions or mental disorder. But these conditions are
intimately con-
nected with the general disturbance of the mind. The individual
variations are
here very numerous, the same poison producing different effects in
two individuals.
The insane conditions have been classed into several groups—(1)
maniacal or
incoherent type is the most frequent, the derangement being
absolutely general;
(2) alcoholic type, a maniacal condition of a depressive, painful,
and frightful
form; (3) maniacal type of expansive form, ambitious, mystic, and
erotic ideas,
idea of self-satisfaction and
of exaggeration of personality—this form is con-
sidered as representative of hashish, etc.; (4) melancholic type;
(5) mixed
forms in which depression may alternate with excitement; and (6)
vesaniæ condi-
tions, i.e., attacks of insanity, which, although excited by
poisons, do not
derive their special colour or character from the drug, but arise
in persons
strongly predisposed to insanity. Most poisons produce nothing but
temporary
disorders, which disappear without leaving any trace behind: their
effect is
limited to a slight excitement on depression of the faculties, to a
short intoxi-
cation, or to a more or less profound narcosis; afterwards perfect
order is re-
established. Other poisons cause more serious symptoms. The
duration of
symptoms varies according to the individual disposition and the
dose absorbed;
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