Dr Preobraschensky, has lately subjected hashish to a chemical analysis, and states that he has found an alkaloidal body, not only in the commercial substance, but also in the flower-tops of the hemp itself, and the pure extract prepared from it, which was recognised as nicotine.
Indian hemp is anæsthetic, anodyne, exhilarant, antispasmodic, hypnotic, and narcotic. In the East it is commonly used as an intoxicant, either by smoking it, like tobacco, or swallowing it. The inebriation produced by it is of an agreeable or cheerful character exciting the party under its influence to laugh, dance, sing, and to commit various extravagancies. It also acts as an aphrodisiac, augments the appetite for food, and, in some cases, occasions a kind of reverie and catalepsy. In this country its action is less marked. It has here been chiefly administered under the form of alcoholic or resinous extract. See Extract of Indian Hemp.
HEN′BANE. Syn. Hyoscyami Folia (B. P.); Hyoscyamus (Ph. L. E. and D.), L. In pharmacy, “the fresh and dried stalk-leaf of the biennial herb, Hyoscyamus niger” (Ph. L.), or common biennial or black henbane. The first is used for preparing the extract; the last, for the powder and tincture.
Henbane is anodyne, hypnotic, antispasmodic, and sedative. It differs from opium in not being stimulant, and by not confining the bowels; and hence may be administered in cases in which that drug would be improper. In large doses it acts as a powerful narcotic poison, producing obscurity of vision, dilatation of the pupils, delirium, phantasms, coma, &c.—Dose, 3 to 10 gr., in powder. It is usually given in the form of extract or tincture. The antidotes, &c., are the same as those noticed under Opium.
HEN-COOPS, Fumigator for. Consisted wholly of coal-tar.
HE′PAR. Syn. Liver. A name given by the older chemists to various combinations of sulphur, from their brownish or liver colour; as ‘hepar antimonii,’ ‘hepar sulphuris,’ &c. See Antimony (Liver of), Potassium (Sulphide), &c.
HERBAR′IUM. [Eng., L.] Syn. Hortus siccus, L. A collection of dried specimens of plants; hence called HORTUS SICCUS, or dry garden. Plants for the herbarium should be gathered on a dry day, and carried home in a tin-box (‘VASCULUM’), or other convenient receptacle which will preserve them fresh for a time. Those which have collected moisture in their leaves should be allowed to dry, their stalks being placed in water to keep them alive. Plants with very thick, succulent leaves or stems must be killed by immersion in hot water before they can be safely placed in the drying press. The press consists simply of a few stout boards with a screw—or, still better, a number of heavy weights, bricks, or stones—for pressing them together. The specimens of plants, when all superficial moisture has been removed, are placed between layers of bibulous paper (BOTANICAL PAPER), care being taken that the parts of each are arranged in a natural manner. The sheets containing the specimens are then placed between the boards, and pressure is applied. This must be very gentle at first, and should be gradually increased as the plants become dry. The paper is changed every day or every second day, and the damp sheets are dried for use at a future time. When properly dried, the specimens are placed on sheets of writing paper, and fixed by a few stitches of thread, a little gum, or strips of gummed paper. The name of the genus and species, and the locality where found, &c., are then marked beside each. Camphor or a little corrosive sublimate may be used to preserve herbaria from the ravages of insects. The preparation of an herbarium offers an almost endless source of amusement to the ingenious, whilst the specimens so collected, if well preserved, are almost as useful to the botanist as the living plants.
HERBS. Syn. Herbæ, L. The collection and drying of herbs for medicinal purposes and perfumery are noticed under Vegetable Substances.
Amongst cooks, several aromatic herbs, either fresh or dried, are used for seasoning. “In many receipts is mentioned a bunch of sweet herbs, which consists, for some stews and soups, of a small bunch of parsley, two sprigs of thyme, and one bayleaf; if no parsley, then of four sprigs of winter savory, six of thyme, and one bayleaf.” (Soyer.)
HER′NIA. See Rupture.