“The child, however, rapidly became worse,
and at 2pm, a tetanic spasm set in, which
lasted without intermission till 6.30pm.
A cold bath was tried without solution of the
spasm; the hemp was, therefore, again
resorted to, and a dose of 30 drops, equal to
one and a-half grains of the resin, given at
once.”
Approx: 100mgs
“Immediately after this dose was given the
limbs relaxed, the little patient fell fast asleep,
and so continued for 13 hours.
While asleep, she was evidently under the
peculiar influence of the drug.
On the 8th October, at 4am, there was a severe
fit, and from this hour to 10pm, 25 fits
occurred, and 130 drops of the tincture were
given in 30 drop doses”
He was learning about how tolerance builds,
hence the requirement to increase the dose
(slowly).
“Should the disease ever recur, it will be a
matter of much interest to notice the quantity
of the tincture requisite to afford relief.
The reader will remember that this infant was
but 60 days old when 130 drops were given in
one day, of the same preparation of which ten
drops had intoxicated the student Dinonath
Dhur, who took the drug for experiment”
Dr O’Shaughnessy concludes:
“The preceding cases constitute an abstract of
my experience on this subject, and constitute
the grounds of my belief that in hemp the
profession has gained an anti-convulsive
remedy of the greatest value”
The Doctor explains how he prepares his
preparations
“The resinous extract is prepared by boiling
the rich, adhesive tops of the dried Gunjah, in
spirit, until all the resin is dissolved.
The tincture thus obtained is evaporated to
dryness by distillation, or in a vessel placed
over a pot of boiling water.
The extract softens at a gentle heat, and can
be made into pills without any addition”
Dr O’Shaughnessy (quite correctly)
increased the dose
“It was now manifestly a struggle between the
disease and the remedy; but at 10pm, she was
again narcotised, and from that hour no fit
returned”
“The child is now 17/12/1842 in the
enjoyment of robust health, and has regained
her natural plump and happy appearance. In
reviewing this case several very remarkable
circumstances present themselves.
At first we find 3 drops, causing profound
narcotism, subsequently we find 130 drops
daily required to produce the same effect”