Chapter 11
CANNABIS - A CENTURY OF MEDICAL USES
CANNABIS - A CENTURY OF MEDICAL USES
From Paracelsus to World War II:
Although Medical Cannabis had been in use for thousands of years before the creation of Western Medicine, most modern day antique Cannabis collectors seem to have little interest in ancient Egyptian Jars, or Assyrian Clay tablets.
This chapter therefore, limits itself solely to those uses that [established] Western Medicine, made of it, and then ONLY if mentioned in contemporary and reputable Medical Journals.
11.0 - CANNABIS IN WESTERN MEDICAL HISTORY:
This chapter contains NO actual mention of any Cannabis products, either by trade or brand name, and as such may safely be skipped. However, the Cannabis antique collector may find the information, dealing with the actual medical uses of interest. In addition, the information found within will help devoted collectors to target their search efforts.
11.1.1 - IT'S MEDICAL USES:
According to the [1910] textbook "Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Pharmacy" By S. L. Potter; Medical Cannabis was recommended toward the following ailments:
- Analgesics or Anodynes (pg. 15)
- Aphrodisiacs (pg. 24)
- Deliriants (pg. 28 )
- Diuretics (pg. 30-31 )
- Hypnotics (sleeping pills) (pg. 39-37 )
- Narcotics (pg. 40-41 )
- Pulmonary Sedatives (pg. 42 )
- Vestical Sedatives (pg. 49 )
- Albuminuria (pg. 574 )
- Appetite (pg. 583 )
- Asthma (pg. 587-588 )
- Bladder, Irritable (pg. 591 )
- Bladder, Paralysis of. (pg. 591 )
- Bright's Disease, Acute (pg. 593 )
- Bright's Disease, Chronic (pg. 594 )
- Chordee (pg. 614 )
- Corns (pg. 624 )
- Cystitis, Acute (pg. 628 )
- Delirium (pg. 630-631 )
- Dysmenorrhea (pg. 643 )
- Dysuria (pg. 647 )
- Epilepsy (pg. 654-656 )
- Gonorrhea (pg. 674 )
- Headache, Congestive (pg. 680 )
- Headache, Congestive (pg. 680-681 )
- Hematuria (pg. 686)
- Hemicrania (pg. 687 )
- Impotence (pg. 700-701 )
- Insomnia (pg. 705-706 )
- Melancholia (pg. 730 )
- Metrorrhagia (pg. 734-735 )
- Neuralgia (pg. 740-741 )
- Opium Habit (pg. 749 )
- Ovaralgia (pg. 753)
- Ovaritis (pg. 753-754 )
- Pain (pg. 755-756 )
- Paralysis and Paresis (pg. 757 )
- Paralysis Agitans (pg. 757-758 )
- Pertussis (pg. 763 )
- Phthisis (pg. 766-768 )
- Tetanus (pg. 833-834 )
- Tic Douloureux (pg. 835-836 )
- Trismus (pg. 843 )
- Urinary disorders (pg. 853 )
- Uterine Cancer (pg. 860-861 )
- Plus a lot of pages dealing with the medicine itself.
- Bronchitis (page 62, 64)
- Cancer (page 72, 74)
- Corns (page 100, 104)
- Coryza and Cough (page 105, 108)
- Dysmenorrhcea (page 142, 143)
- Dyspepsia, (page 144, 146)
- Gastralgia (page 199, 201, 202)
- Headache (page 233, 237)
- Impotence (page 257)
- Mania Acute (page 288, 289)
- Menopause (page 294, 295)
- Monorrhagia & Metrorrhagia (page 295, 297
- Migraine (page 299, 300)
- Opium Habit (page 823)
- Prostatitis (page 361, 362)
- Strangury (page 406, 407)
- Warts (page 471)
- Whooping cough (page 478, 479)
- One, the irony of the situation
- Two, the shear impossibility of listing, each and every, medical use that Cannabis was applied to.
"Cannabis had NO Medical Uses, NON-WHAT-SO-EVER. That anyone who believed that it did --- Well, they were in DENIAL, in total DENIAL"Be those statements as they may, it should also be obvious to the reader that it will be a TOTAL IMPOSSIBILITY to list each and every medical use that Cannabis has been applied to. Let us look at ALL the medical uses talked about in just ONE article:
"CANNABIS INDICA" --- In small doses it is first stimulating, later sedative. . . . In migraine, hemicrania, neuralgis, and headache due to eye-strain, it may be used with marked success, and it is one of the best of anodynes in multiple neuritis. It is one of the most valuable and satisfactory drugs in the neuroses accompanying pregnancy, and dysmemorrhea is one of the principal indications for its use. It is unequaled to quiet the neuroses, pregnancy and the menopause. It is a valuable adjunct to quinin, and he believes from his own observation that it has a powerful action on muscular contraction particularly of the uterus, and combined with ergot is a valuable adjunct. It is useful in professed menstruation, decreasing the flow without completely arresting it. He has not found it of much value as an aphrodisiac, through it may be somewhat effective in some cases of impotence. He has seen evident improvement in several cases of diabetes mellitus, and it is very useful in relieving intolerable itching and burning in all neuroses of the skin. --- JAMA 1900, V.35, p 457And this is JUST one article, and it is not that unusual. Many other articles actually list many, many more uses. Point being made; --- It simply is impossible to list each and every Medical use of Cannabis.
Thus, mostly for the sake of sanity, ONLY those medical uses, specifically mentioned in "Reputable Medical Journals" and than only if it is the main topic of conversation, are included here.
Again, it will be all but impossible to list each and every medical use, but it is our hope, that it will be enough information to set the antique collector on the right path.
11.1.2 - WARNING:
PLEASE DON'T BE A FOOL. This Chapter was solely intended to enlighten Cannabis antique collectors and help them locate collectables. It was/is NEVER intended as a source of medical knowledge.
The author has NO medical training, none-what-so-ever, and is relying solely on old 19th and early 20th century medical articles for information. Information which is now [how shall we say it], a little bit out of date.
Again, please do NOT use this chapter for any medical knowledge.
11.2 - CANNABIS - Its use by Western Medicine
From PARACELSUS -to- 1840:
Many, this author included, credit Paracelsus [1493-1541] as being the father of Western Medicine [1] [2]. Please note that no attempt is being made to discredit Hippocrates, who is rightfully considered the father of Medicine, nor the works / teachings of Aristotle the philosopher. It's simply just a historical truth that when the Roman Empire fell, much of Europe's medical knowledge fell with it. One can say that this period of time was called the Dark Ages for a good reason. If it weren't for the written works of Galen, [4] one could almost use the word ALL.
A sad situation, historical situation, and while most of us in today's world, tend to think of Western Medicine (if not the whole of the Western World in general) as being the height of knowledge and technology, we must remember that in a historical sense this was not always so. In fact, up until a few hundred years ago, (to put it politely) the western world was literally a backwater of technology.
Additionally it didn't help any that much of herbal healing was originally considered women's work. God only knows how many women were burnt to death for practicing witchcraft [a.k.a. growing medical herbs in their back-yards].[5] But with them was burnt a lot of the west's medical knowledge.
Thus, it was left to Paracelsus to start all over again from scratch. True many consider him to have been a charlatan, and indeed most of his original ideas have long ago been proven false. But still it was he who reinstituted the idea of logic/observation that constitute what we now known of as Western Medicine and as such he must be considered its originator.
 Paracelsus |
 Witches |
 Culpers |
However, it is shocking almost horrifying to note, just how little medical use was made of Cannabis before the year 1840. In other words, with the first 300 years of Western Medicine, Cannabis [readably available throughout Europe] with all its incredible medical uses was all but ignored. Perhaps the following citation best explains:
From Culperer's Complete Herbal 1824:In other words -- They weren't making much use of the stuff back then. And note that the publication year was 1824.
HEMP
This is so well known to every good housewife in the country, that I shall not need to write any description of it.
Time.] It is sown in the very end of March, or beginning of April, and is ripe in August or September.
Government and virtues.] It is a plant of Saturn, and good for something else, you see, than to make halters only. The seed of Hemp consumes wind, and by too much use thereof disperses it so much that it dries up the natural seed for procreation; yet, being boiled in milk and taken, helps such as have a hot dry cough. The Dutch make an emulsion out of the seed, and give it with good success to those that have the jaundice, especially in the beginning of the disease, if there be no ague accompanying it, for it opens obstructions of the gall, and causes digestion of choler. the emulsion or decoction of the seed stays lasks and continual fluxes, eases the cholic, and allays the troublesome humours in the bowels and stays bleeding at the mouth, nose, or other places, some of the leaves being fried with the blood of them that bleed, and so given them to eat. It is held very good to kill the worms in men or beasts; and the juice dropped into the ears kills worms in them; and draws forth earwigs, or other living creatures gotten into them. the decoction of the root allays inflammations of the head, or any other part; the herb itself, or the distilled water thereof doth the like. the decoction of the root eases the pains of the gout, the hard humours of knots in the joints, the pains and shrinking of the sinews, and the pains of the hips. the fresh juice mixed with a little oil and butter, is good for any place that hath been burnt with fire, being thereto applied "
11.2.1 - Antiques From This Era:
Unfortunately unless you're into paper, there's not much in the way of antique collectables from this era. Not only was Cannabis not much in use, but as most glass bottles, containers etc., were still being hand-blown. Thus other than some crud [meaning real ugly] apothecary, so not much in the way of containers remain.
However, soon, all of this would change.
11.3 - CANNABIS; Its use by Western Medicine [1840 - 1880]:
The years 1840-to-1880 were arbitrarily selected by the author as being the "Golden Age" of Medical Cannabis. Just a few years earlier O'Shaughnessy had began writing numerous articles about his findings on the subject.[6] After which numerous others Western Doctors began their own experimentation and usage of the drug. Many of their findings making their way into numerous medical journals, which are quoted here as reference. [Note for the sake of brevity, only two articles per disease are cited; for those interested, reference should be made to Appendix B, which contains an Index of Medical Journals]
11.3.1 - TETANUS; CHOREA AND RABIES:
To understand its popularity, one should understand that this was a time when doctors had few, if any, effective medicines. Now all of a sadden, here was a medical agent that all in one was an effective:
- Analgesic (general non-addictive painkiller),
- a Sedative,
- and an Anti-Spasmodic (convulsions), medicine all in one.
- TETANUS - (Lock-Jaw) symptoms include headaches, muscle pains, and stiffness of the back, neck, face and jaw as well as persistent tonic spasms of voluntary muscles.
EDINBURGH MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- V.3 1858 pp 877 "Tetanus treated with Indian hemp; recovery"
BOSTON MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- V.34 1846 pp 394 "Case of tetanus treated by Cannabis Indica"
- CHOREA - Characterized by vomiting, purging, spasms, and griping pains.
BOSTON MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL
[ ] - Vol. Liii 1855/1856 pp 209 "Chorea, treated by Cannabis indica"
MEDICAL EXAMINER AND RETROSPECT OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCE
[ ]- Sep 1845 pg. 568 "Treatment of Chorea by the use of Cannabis India"
- RABIES - Symptoms include depression, restlessness, fever, excessive salivation and excruciatingly painful spasms of the laryngeal and pharyngeal muscles.
HYDROPHOBIA - [It doesn't sound right, but Hydrophobia is suppose to be the old name for RABIES]
MADRAS QUARTERLY MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- On the use of the Cannabis Indica (or Indian Hemp) 2nd, in hydrophobia; with remarks on its effects, 1843, V.5, pp 74.
MEDICAL NEWS
[ ]- Jan 1870 pp. 10 "Indian Hemp in Hydrophobia"
". . . a man of temperate and quiet habits, for two or three days previous to my visiting him had been suffering from stiffness of the muscles of the neck and slight rigidity of the lower jaw, which was attributed to a common cold. On the above day, before my visit, he had been seized with spasm and great pain, every few minutes, along the whole spine; by the slightest movement, touch, or noise, the muscles of the back were thrown into violent spasmodic contractions, bending the body forcible backwards." -- THE LANCET - Sept 15, 1860 "Two cases of idiopathic tetanus treated by Indian hemp"
11.3.2 - GOUT AND RHEUMATISM:
[In a time before even aspirin had yet to be invented, one can easily see how useful Cannabis would have been]
- RHEUMATISM - A constitutional disease marked by pain in joints or muscles, usually recurrent and often due to exposure.
- GOUT - A painful disease with joint inflammation, chalky deposits, and arterial and gastric disturbances.
THE ECLECTIC MEDICAL JOURNAL:
[ ]- "Cannabis Indica In Rheumatic Affections"- 1855 pp 430
MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL TRANSACTIONS:
[ ]- 1843 pp 188 "Observations On The Medicinal Properties Of The Cannabis Sativa Of India" [rheumatic gout]
THE TEXAS MEDICAL NEWS:
[ ] V.8, Aug. 1899 "The Therapeutic Value of Cannabis Indica" [rheumatism and gout]
11.3.3 - TREMENS [Spasm]:
[Exactly how technically Cannabis controls muscle spasms, I do not know, but it didn't take long for doctors to start putting this wonder drug to work]
- DELIRIUM TREMENS - A form of insanity caused by the use of Liquor.
OGLETHORPE MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- Aug 1858 pp 158 "A case of delirium tremens successfully treated with Cannabis indica"
SAVANNAH JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
[ ]- July 1858 pp. 81 "Delirium tremens; treated by Cannabis indica"
THE ECLECTIC MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- Aug. 1868 pg. 365 "Cannabis Indica in Delirium Tremens"
- TRISMUS [Spasms] ALGIDUS
MEDICAL TIMES AND GAZETTE
[ ]- Feb. 7, 1863 pp 136 "Case of trismus algidus; treatment by Indian hemp; recovery"
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HOMEOPATHY
[ ]- 1865 pp 265 - "Cannabis India in Trismus"
- TRISMUS NASCENTIUM:
CHARLESTON MEDICAL JOURNAL & REVIEW
[ ]- 1854 pp 808 "Two cases of trismus nascentium, which recovered under the use of Cannabis indica"
MEDICAL EXAMINER AND RETROSPECT OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCE
[ ]- Dec 1853 pp 783 "Two Cases of Trismus Nascentium, which recovered under the use of Cannabis India"
- CONVULSIONS
WESTERN LANCET
[ ]- "Cannabis indica in convulsions " Date 1856 V.17 pp 327
ST. LOUIS MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- May 1850 V.7 pp 209 "Indian hemp as a remedy in tetanus " [tetanus, anti-convulsion]
11.3.4 - STOMACH WORMS:
[At first, I didn't believe that Cannabis could be used as a de-wormer, but numerous medical journals make references to such a use. None of the articles however stated exactly how [chemically speaking] the process worked. But, Cannabis does have anti-bacterial properties which could explain the process]
- STOMACH WORMS
LEAVENWORTH MEDICAL HERALD
[ ]-V.3 1869-1870 pp 303 "Hashish for the Expulsion of Tenia" [Tenia Solium = Worms in stomach]
Unfortunately in the 1840's, bottles and other containers were still somewhat expensive and hard to manufacture. As such there should be little surprise that mostly apothecary jars are locatable.
11.4 - CANNABIS: Its use by Western Medicine, 1880 -to- 1925:
This era is rather an interesting one. During the previous era [1840-1880], almost ALL Medical/Scientific articles were very favorable and upbeat about Cannabis and its medical applications.
However, starting around 1880 [9] what we would now termed "Reefer Madness" articles started to appear in earnest. Most were confined to non-Medical/Scientific magazines, and whose authors were obviously ardent prohibitionist. Most of these articles centered around:
Personally, I find these accusations rather odd, as all the evidence seems to contradicts each and every one of them.
- The Assassin Myth; Marco Polo, who is usually quoted as the originator of the myth, clearly stated that the drug used by the Old Man of the Mountain to incite his assassins, was Opium -- NOT Cannabis.
- Malaysians running amok; Contacting both the Malaysian Embassy, and numerous medical journals shows absolutely no evidence to substantiate such an allegation, none-what-so-ever.
- Egyptian Insane Asylums; - This myth depends upon a lot of scientific studies, which supposedly established that Cannabis was responsible numerous Egyptians going insane. NO such studies were ever done.
- Indian Insane Asylums; - Now that one is true [well sort of], it seems that Colonial Indian had a quirky criminal law. If you were arrested for [rape, bank robbery etc.], you could be sent to trial, convicted and sent to jail, UNLESS, you committed the crime while under the influence of Cannabis, than the most the judge could do to you was send you to an insane asylum; and there you would remain until proclaimed sane by a physician. Even a full four weeks if need be. Hmmm!
- Mexicans; - No comment.
But on the other hand, within the scientific community, that is to be expected. A scientist by definition is a seeker of the truth and as such differences of opinions are bound to come up. The important thing about this era is that free speech still held sway. For every negative article there was a respected clinician would write a counter article expressing the truth. Below are just a couple of examples:
"Much has been said and written about the effects produced upon the human mind by large doses of Cannabis Indica. The reports of lay writers (mostly writers of fiction and newspaper reporters), and of the unfortunates who are addicted to the drug, are fairly uniform as to the stimulating (?) effects and the ultra-mental exaltation. [Scientific Medical] Writers on drug action have little to say about, or express doubts as to such effects and suggest . . . " --- Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association - March 1923As we go through new medical uses for Cannabis during this and the next era [1925-1937], some of the contractions will become obvious.
"Haschisch---Effects not Due to Cannabis Indica---Dr. M.V. Ball has made some interesting researches into the literature referring to haschisch. Persons who fortified themselves with haschisch before going into battle were called assassins. . . Preparations of the drug, such as ganja or bhang, were the drinks used preparatory to the performance of some feat of valor. A closer examination of the Indian preparations and the methods of their employment shows that in the East Cannabis indica is never used alone, but always in a mixture[s] . . . which contains, among other things, opium, cantharides, and stramonium as accompanying the use of haschisch preparations, and which seldom, if ever, have been observed with the use of the pure medicinal extract of cannabis indica, are due to the stronger drugs--- opium, hyoscyamus, etc., with which the mixtures in common use in the East are associated." -- PROCEEDINGS Of The AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION -- Jan 1, 1912
11.4.1 - MIGRAINE HEADACHE:
See Chapter 9 [this book] on Migraine Headache pains
[It is interesting to note however that although Cannabis was well understood to be a pain killer as early as 1840, it wasn't until the late 19th Century that Cannabis started to be used in Migraine headaches.]
- MIGRAINE HEADACHE
American Journal Of The Medical Sciences
[ ]- Jan 1906 pp 165 "Cannabis India in Migraine"
Indian Medical Record
[ ]- "A case of recurrent migraine successfully treated with cannabis Indica" Nov. 16, 1896, pp 338.
The Practitioner
[ ]- 1872 pp 267 - "Cannabis in the Treatment of Migraine"
THERAPEUTIC GAZETTE
[ ]- "The Treatment of Migraine With Indian Hemp" V.12 - 1880 pp 622
- HEADACHES / HEAD PAINS / SICK HEAD
BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- Jan 15, 1887 pp 97 "Remarks on the value of Indian hemp in the treatment of a certain type of headache "
THE ECLECTIC MEDICAL JOURNAL:
[ ]- "Cannabis Indica In Headache" Jan. 1870 pp 35.
JAMA - JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
[ ]- Indian Hemp in persistent headache 1887 V.9 pp 731
LANCET
[ ]- Headaches, a study of some common forms, with especial reference to arterial tension and to treatment (with Indian hemp) Aug 7, 1897, 2, pp 307
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Feb 7, 1885 pp 184 "Cannabis India in Sick Headache"
MERCK'S ARCHIVES (pub by the Merck Co.)
[ ]- "Treatment of Headaches" V.3 Feb. 1901 pp 68
- HEMICRANIA
[Unilateral Head Pain, usually migraine]
CANADA MEDICAL & SURGICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- Oct. 1880 pp 129] "The Preventative Treatment of Hemicrania by Cannabis Indica"
11.4.2 - CANNABIS THE APHRODISIAC:
Aphrodisiac: - Defined by the dictionary as "a drug that arouses the sexual instinct or exciting sexual impulses."
Having been reared in a Roman Catholic home this author, for one, would have preferred if the subject never had come up, at least not in an antique book. However, not wanting to be accused of censorship, I suppose I will have to make the best of it.
Yes it is true that Cannabis did indeed make its way into various aphrodisiacs manufactured by legitimate pharmaceutical houses of their day. In addition, the subject starts poking its head up in the medical journals of that time.
However, I for one am of the opinion that this whole "aphrodisiac" thing was so much HUMBUG. Cannabis Indica simply came from India whose population (being Hindus) practiced certain religious practices (best left unsaid) in which Cannabis just happened to be used. Thus, somehow a connection between Cannabis and sex was established.
After discussing the subject with various people, we are almost of one mind; Cannabis does not make you more sexually active. In fact, it does the opposite. It seems to only want to make you go to sleep. Most medical research (modern or otherwise) seems to collaborate that viewpoint. But then as Dr. Riechard (US public health service 1940s) once said about the subject, "some legends will probably die hard."
- APHRODISIAC
THE ALKALOIDAL CLINIC (Abbott Labs)
[ ]- "Stomatitis Cannabis" 1900 pp 464 [An Aphrodisiac]
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Aug 5, 1893 pp 219 "Treatment of Loss of Sexual Power
CINCINNATI LANCET-CLINIC
[ ]- 1891 - pp 85 - "Cannabis Indica in Impotency"
- SEXUAL TORPOR -- [FEMALE]
[Note, the author doesn't know that that means either]
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Nov 2, 1895 pp 563 "Gynecology - Treatment of Sexual Torpor in the Female"
- IMPOTENCY [See Aphrodisiac]
11.4.3 - COUGH SYRUPS:
[See Chapter 8, this book for more info]
- OBSTINATE SINGULTUS [Hic-Cough ]
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES
[ ]-April 1867 pp 564 - "Obstinate singultus cured by extract of Cannabis indica "
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Oct 18, 1879 pp 342 "The Treatment of Cough"
[ ]- Dec 3, 1892 pp 912 "Incessant Hiccough"
CHICAGO MEDICAL TIMES
[ ]- "Cannabis Indica in Chorea and Pertussis." V.35, 1902 pp 500 [Cough remedy]
- PHTHSIS [Phthsis = tuberculoses ]
MEDICAL AGE
[ ]- "A Cannabis India Mixture for Phthsis" V.6 1888 pp 335
- PERTUSSIS
CHICAGO MEDICAL TIMES
[ ]- "Cannabis Indica in Chorea and Pertussis" V.35, 1902 pp 500 [article taken from the lancet - Cough remedy]
11.3.4 - ASTHMA / BRONCHITIS:
[For more info see Chapter 7, this book]
- ASTHMA
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Sep 20, 1879 pp 253 "Therapeutical Value of Drug-Smoking in Asthma"
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Oct 9, 1880 pp 323 "The Treatment of Asthmatic Bronchitis"
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Jun 16, 1888 pp 788 "Treatment of Asthma"
MEDICAL TIMES AND GAZETTE
[ ]- On some effects of cannabis Indica" 1863 pp 245 [talks about spasmodic asthma - negative article]
THE PRACTITIONER
[ ]-"The Therapeutical Value of Drug-Smoking [Part II - In Asthma]" V.23 1879 pp 101 [Must reading, formulas for Cannabis asthmatic cigarettes are given]
- BRONCHITIS
CINCINNATI LANCET & OBSERBER
[ ]- May 1859 pp 270 "Chronic bronchitis; a case cured with alcoholic extract of Cannabis indica"
MEDICAL NEWS
[ ]- Feb 25, 1905 pp 366 Formula for Chronic Bronchitis
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Oct 9, 1880 pp 323 "The Treatment of Asthmatic Bronchitis"
MEDICAL EXAMINER AND RETROSPECT OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCE
[ ]- Nov 25, 1843 pp 271 "Extract of Indian Hemp" On Bronchial Blenorrhoea, Etc.
11.4.5 - ADDICTION: [Treatment For]
As a treatment for drug addiction - In today's world of "Just Say No" and "DARE" (which by the way stands for these Donuts Are Really Expensive), it's difficult to understand that the medical profession wanted to use Cannabis (which is non-addictive) as a treatment for addictive drugs. But be that as it may, the medical Journals from the era, seemed very up-beat about the subject.
- OPIUM HABIT
CANADIAN PRACTITIONER
[ ]- "The opium-habit and its treatment [with Indian Hemp]" 1884 pp 301 - article is about opium addiction, Cannabis is only mentioned as a possible cure.
CANADA MEDICAL RECORD
[ ]- Jan. 1884 " Cannabis Indica in Opium Habit"
THE PRACTITIONER
[ ]- The treatment of opium addiction (with Indian hemp), Canada Medical Record, Montreal, 1885, 13, pp 73.
- ALCOHOLISM
CANADA LANCET
[ ]- Dec. 1884 pp 101. "A case of double narcotic addiction---Opium and alcohol-Imbecility---Recovery"
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES
[ ]- Nov. 1897 pp 591 "Treatment of Alcoholism"
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Jan 7, 1882 pp 15 "The Opium Habit and Alcoholism"
11.4.6 - STOMACH DISEASES:
[Note, I don't think that some of these diseases exist anymore. Additionally, some words are just catch-alls for a number of ailments]
- STOMACH DISEASES
THERAPEUTIC GAZETTE
[ ]- 1985 pp 684 "Cannabis Indica in diseases of the Stomach"
- COLIC - Material obstructions of the intestine / Constipation
MEDICAL NEWS
[ ]- Sep 7, 1901 pp 38 "Infantile Convulsions" (colic)
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Jan 11, 1873 pp 33 "Lead Colic, with Marked Lead Cachexia"
- GASTRIC NEUROSES
CINCINNATI LANCET-CLINIC
[ ]- 1890 - pp 422 "Cannabis Indica in Gastric Neuroses and Dyspepsia"
LANCET
[ ]- Sept 20, 1890 - pp 631 "Cannabis Indica in Gastric Disorders"
MEDICAL NEWS
[ ]- Aug 30, 1890 pp 218 "Medical Progress - Cannabis India in Gastric Disorders"
WEEKLY MEDICAL REVIEW
[ ]- "Gastro-Neurosis Treated by Cannabis Indica" V.23, 1891
- DIARRHOEA
MEDICAL AGE
[ ]- "Cannabis India in Diarrhea" V.6, 1887 pp 357
MEDICAL NEWS
[ ]- Aug. 13, 1887 pp 183 "The Treatment of Diarrhea by Cannabis India"
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Sep 3, 1887 pp 332 "Cannabis India in Diarrhea"
- GASTRALGIA
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Apr 1, 1893 pp 513 Formula for Gastralgia
- DYSPEPSIA
[Imperfect digestion. Not a disease in itself, but symptomatic of other diseases or disorders. Characterized by vague abdominal discomfort; a sense of fullness after eating; eructation; heartburn; nausea and vomiting; and loss of appetite.
CINCINNATI LANCET-CLINIC
[ ]- 1890 - pp 227 - "The Treatment of Dyspepsia By Cannabis Indica" short summery of another article. Good things said.
[ ]- 1890 - pp 422 - "Cannabis Indica in Gastric Neuroses and Dyspepsia"
LANCET
[ ]- Sept. 13, 1890 - pp 592 "The action of Cannabis Indica on Dyspepsia"
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Sep 20, 1890 pp 347 "Cannabis India in 'Gastric Neuroses and Dyspepsia"
[ ]- Feb 10, 1894 pp 209 "Confusion of Gastric and Intestinal Dyspepsia" Germain See
11.4.7 - FEMALE PROBLEMS:
[See Chapter on Female Problems - This book]
- DYSMENORRHOEA
Dysmenorrhea - Painful Menstruation.
MEDICAL NEWS
[ ]- May 2, 1896 pp 496 "Treatment of Dysmenorrhea"
[ ]- July 25, 1903 pg. 180 "Symposium on Dysmenorrhea"
[ ]- Jan 7, 1905 pp 28 "Treatment of Dysmenorrhea"
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Jun 6, 1896 pp 719 "Treatment of Dysmenorrhoea Membranosa"
PROVINCIAL MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- "A case of dysmenorrhoea in which the tincture of Cannabis indica was employed, with some observations upon that drug" 1847 pp 122
- MENORRHAGIA
[Menorrhagia - Another name for excessive or immoderate menstrual bleeding]
AMERICAN PRACTITIONER
[ ]- 1883 - "Cannabis Indica a valuable remedy in menorrhagia"
BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- "Cannabis India; A Valuable Remedy in Menorrhagia", May 26, 1883
THE ECLECTIC MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- "Cannabis Indica in Menorrhagia" 1883 pp 440.
MEDICAL AGE
[ ]- "Cannabis Indica in Dysmenorrhea and Menorrhagia" V.7 1889 pp 383
NEW YORK MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- "Cannabis Indica - A Valuable Remedy in Menorrhagia" July 21, 1883 pp 83
- UTERUS PARALYSIS
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES
[ ]- Jun 1905 pp 1097 "Paralysis of the Non-Pregnant Uterus"
MEDICAL NEWS
[ ]- Sep 24, 1887 pp 365 "Society Proceedings - The Therapeutic value of some medicines in the treatment of hermorrhagic conditions of the uterus"
THE ECLECTIC MEDICAL JOURNAL:
[ ]- "Cannabis Indica in Painful Affection of the Urinary apparatus" Nov. 1865 pp 527.
- WOMEN [Odds and Ends]
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Oct 15, 1892 pp 637 "Cannabis India in the Painful Diseases of Women"
[ ]- Nov 26, 1892 pp 870 "Periodical Intermenstrual pain" (Amer. Jour. Obstetrics, Oct.)
MEDICAL EXAMINER AND RETROSPECT OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCE
[ ]- Oct 1851 pg. 677 "On the use of Indian Hemp as an excitant of uterine contractions"
MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
[ ]- "Indian hemp as an oxytocic" 1852, V.15, pp 124 [birth pain killer]
- CYSTITIS - SPASM OF THE BLADDER
- SANGUINEOUS UTERINE DISCHARGES
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES
[ ]- 1849 - "Tincture of Indian Hemp in Sanguineous Uterine Discharges"
MEDICAL TIMES
[ ]- Nov. 1849 pp 571 "Tincture of Indian Hemp in sanguineous Uterine Discharges"
11.4.8 - EPILEPSY:
[Epilepsy - A Nervous disease marked by seizures with convulsions]
- EPILEPSY
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Jan 24, 1885 pp 104 "Notes on the Treatment of Epilepsy"
[ ]- Jan 24, 1885 pp 108 "Discussion on Epilepsy"
PHILADELPHIA MEDICAL TIMES
[ ]- V.8 Sept 28, 1878 pp 607 "Cannabis indica in the treatment of epilepsy"
PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS INVESTIGATOR
[ ]- Apr. 15, 1881 pp 120] "The Treatment of Epilepsy"
11.4.9 - ANALGESIC: [Pain Killer]
- ANALGESIC [General non-addictive Painkiller]
CINCINNATI LANCET-CLINIC
[ ]- 1892 pp 74 - "Cannabis Indica as an anodyne and Hypnotic"
ST. LOUIS MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL.
[ ]- Nov. 1891 V.61 pp 265 "Cannabis India as an Anodyne and Hypnotic"
- ANESTHETIC [LOCAL] [Warning - It Didn't Work]
CINCINNATI LANCET-CLINIC
[ ]- 1883 122 - "Cannabis Indica as a local anaesthetic" [Written by a dentist -- I think his a crack-pot]
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY
[ ]- June 1885 pp 305 - Cannabis Indica as Local Anaesthetic"
AMERICAN VETERINARY REVIEW
[ ]- V.XLIII pp 92 "Some surgical cases illustrating the use of cannabis as a general anaesthetic"
PACIFIC MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- April 1885 - Cannabis Indica as local anaesthetic"
11.4.10 - SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES:
|
While true that Cannabis appears to have been used as an effective treatment for the symptoms of Gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease), it should be remembered that there is a big difference between a treatment and a cure. |
|---|
Before the discovery of sulfur drugs and penicillin sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea were not curable only treatable. Cannabis among its other properties seemed to have been an effective treatment. The above bottle (different angles) was manufactured by the Chicago Pharmacal Company of Illinois---Note the over sized label, and please, please remember -- a treatment is not a cure.
- GONORRHEA
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HOMEOPATHY
[ ]- XXIV [1866] pp 501 "Cannabis in Gonorrhea"
OGLETHORPE MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- Nov 1859 pp 230 "Extract cannabis in the cure of Gonorrhoea "
- HERPES
[HERPES - vesicular eruption due to a virus] [Note, the author doesn't really know exactly what this is, but it's suppose to be sexually transmitted]
MEDICAL NEWS
[ ]- May 22, 1897 pp 668 Formula for Pain of Herpes Zoster
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Aug 15, 1891 pp 261 Formula for Abortive Treatment of Herpes
[ ]- Oct 3, 1891 pp 546 "On the Abortive Treatment of herpes by the Application of Either pur Alcohol or of an Alcoholic solution, After the Method of Professor Leloir
11.4.11 - HYPNOTICS [Sleeping Pills]:
Hypnotic - Although the word sounds a lot like "Hypnotism," in today's language the term sleeping pill would be a closer fit.
- HYPNOTICS
CINCINNATI LANCET-CLINIC
[ ]- 1892 pp 74 "Cannabis Indica as an anodyne and Hypnotic"
THE ECLECTIC MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- "Cannabis Indica as a Hypnotic" 1861 pp 174
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- July 12, 1884 pp 49 "the New Hypnotic"
NEW YORK MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- "Tannate of Cannabin as a Hypnotic" 1884 pp 56
PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS INVESTIGATOR
[ ]- Feb 15, 1883 pp 56 "The Hypnotic Value of Tannate of Cannabin"
ST. LOUIS MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL.
[ ]- Nov. 1891 V.61 pp. 265 "Cannabis India as an Anodyne and Hypnotic"
- INSOMNIA [Also See Hypnotics]
MEDICAL NEWS
[ ]- Jun 29, 1895 pp 734 "Therapeutic Notes - The Treatment of Melancholia and of Insomnia"
CANADA MEDICAL RECORD
[ ]- V.13 - 1885 "Cannabis Indica in Melancholia and mental depression with sleeplessness"
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Aug 29, 1896 pp 280 "Sleeplessness"
OHIO MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- Jan 1, 1862 pp 32 "On Indian Hemp, particularly in its relation to its property of Producing Sleep"
THE PRACTITIONER
[ ]- "Note on Cannabis indica as a narcotic" V.35, 1885, pp 251 [something about using it as a sleeping pill]
11.4.12 - MENTAL ILLNESSES:
- INSANITY [CAUSED BY]
ALIENIST AND NEUROLOGIST
[ ]- 1893 "Insanity from the abuse of Indian hemp"
DRUGGIST CIRCULAR & CHEMICAL GAZETTE
[ ]- Oct 1883 pp 159 - Cannabis Indica as a Cause of Insanity by Dr. Davidson
INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE
[ ]- On insanity produced by the abuse of ganja and other preparations of Indian hemp, with notes of cases" 1894 V.29 pp 333
[ ]- "Indian Hemp Drugs and Insanity" Nov. 1904 pp 421
[ ]- Insanity following the use of Indian hemp 1904, V.39 pp 401
JOURNAL OF MENTAL SCIENCES
[ ]- Jan 1883 pp 493 - "Observations on Cannabis Indica and Syphilis as Causes of Mental Alienation in Turkey"
[ ]- "Hemp drugs and insanity" 1894, V.40, pp 21 [Must reading, Anslinger sure did -- lots of myths]
[ ]- "Insanity from hasheesh" 1903, V.49, pp 96"
MEDICAL JOURNAL AND RECORD
[ ]- "The weed of insanity" By Louis J. Bragman MD - 1925 V.122, pp 416
[ ]- Louis J. Bragman: "A minor de Quincey" 1925, V.121, pp 43
[ ]- "The Green Goddess" By Robert Kingman 1927 V.126 pp 470 - (AKA) "A study in Dreams, drugs and dementia"
- INSANITY [Treatment For]
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HOMEOPATHY
[ ]- V.23 1865 pp 446 "Cannabis in Mania"
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Sep 1872 pp 242 "Hytrical Mania"
[ ]- May 2, 1874 pp 415 "Treatment of Mania"
BRITISH AND FOREIGN MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL REVIEW
[ ]- Oct 1870 pp 493 "Observations and Experiments on the Use of Opium, Bromide of Potassium, and Cannabis Indica in Insanity"
[ ]- Jan 1871 pp 203 "Observations and Experiments on the Use of Opium, Bromide of Potassium, and Cannabis Indica in Insanity"
PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS INVESTIGATOR
[ ]- Jun 1886 pp 165 "Medical Treatment of Insanity" [brief mention]
THE PRACTITIONER
[ ]- 1871 V.6 pp 243 - "On the Use of Bromide of Potassium and Cannabis Indica in Insanity"
- MELANCHOLIA [See Insanity]
[Melancholy = Mental Illness Depression]
CANADA MEDICAL RECORD
[ ]- V.13 1885 - "CANNABIS INDICA IN Melancholia and mental depression with sleeplessness".
- DEPRESSION
CANADA LANCET
[ ]- "Cannabis Indica in Melancholia and Mental Depression with sleeplessness" V.13 1884 pp 64.
CANADA MEDICAL RECORD
[ ]- V.13 1885 "CANNABIS INDICA IN Melancholia and mental depression with sleeplessness".
11.4.13 - NEURALGIA:
Although it sounds like a mental illness, it's actually a series of "severe sharp pain along the course of a nerve."
- NEURALGIA
CINCINNATI LANCET-CLINIC
[ ]- 1890 pp 659 - "Cannabis Indica in Neuralgia"
MEDICAL NEWS
[ ]- Feb 11, 1899 pp 192 Formula for Trigeminal Neuralgia
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Apr 13, 1895 pp 514 Formula for Neuralgia
WESTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
[ ]- Oct 1848 pp 359 "Indian Hemp in Facial Neuralogia"
11.4.14 - ODDS AND ENDS:
- GRAVES DISEASE
[Exopthalmic goiter - Protrusion of the eyeball ]
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER
[ ]- Nov 10, 1888 pp 605 "Cannabis in Graves' Disease"
- NAUSEA
MEDICAL NEWS
[ ]- Aug 6, 1898 pp 92 Formula for Nausea Vomiting after Anesthesia
CINCINNATI LANCET-& OBSERBER
[ ]- Feb 1863 pp 73 Author Wright, T. L. "Some therapeutic effects of Cannabis indica" [vomiting in Pregnancy & morning sickness, diarrhea]
- CEREBRO SPINAL-MENINGITIS
MEDICAL EXAMINER
[ ]- Vol. 13 1872 pp 133 "Marked symptoms treated with Cannabis indica, in large doses; speedy and almost perfect recovery" [Cerebro Spinal-Meningitis]
11.4.15 - ANTIQUE COLLECTABLES FROM THE ERA:
This era is considered to be the MOTHER LOAD by most antique Cannabis collectors. And by far the vast number of Cannabis antiques that have now found there way into antique stores and internet auction sites, came from this era----And not without good reason.
First, it was during this era that the technology for making glass bottles and cardboard containers etc., finally reached a stage that allowed manufacturers to offer an inexpensive products. Putting it another way; Before 1880, it was quite common for the glass container to be worth more than the product inside it. But by 1900 the price of the container had dropped so much that the junk-yards started to fill with them. Which goes a long way to explain how so many of them ended up in antique stories.
Next, the era also saw an incredible rise in the number of BRAND-NAME products. Pharmaceutical house after pharmaceutical house realized that the public was willing to pay a little more for the quality and reliability that they perceived could be found only in a trade/brand name product.
Other reasons exist, but simply put; Most antique Cannabis collectables come from this era.
11.5 - CANNABIS: A Time of Mass-Hysteria; 1925 -to- 1937:
Many individuals (including the author) are somewhat taken aback by reports of axe murderers, scantly clad coeds jumping out of fifth story windows, etc. In addition chapter 17 of this book is devoted completely to some explanation of the Political/Non-Medical factors that led to the creation of the anti-Medical Marihuana laws. For this reason this sub-section will deal solely with the medical implications of what happened.
We know that previously to this era, medical journals had carried negative articles relative to Cannabis; however, they were counter-acted by numerous other positive articles.
But starting in the mid-1920's, other types of articles [that were anything but medical articles] started appearing in medical journals. Articles with titles such as:
MEDICAL JOURNAL AND RECORDLooking back at them, it is amazing how inaccurate they actually were, and how little experience the authors actually had with the subject matter. For example, when one of the authors was queried about his article:
"The weed of insanity" by Louis J. Bragman MD; 1925 V.122, pp 416
"The Green Goddess--A study in Dreams, drugs and dementia" by Robert Kingman; 1927 V.126 pp 470
"This board reported that reports of alleged effects of marijuana seem to have little basis in fact and there is no medical evidence that it causes insanity. In response to an inquiry a physician author of an article "The Weed of Insanity," published in a medical journal, replied "I am sorry to say that I have had little experience with Cannabis Indica . . . My interest in the drug was at the onset mainly literary." Similar replies were received to other inquiries." [10] [Military Panama Cannel report]Which is a nice way of saying that the author was simply repeating what he had heard somewhere else, but never bothered to actually look into the matter.
But be that as it may, articles such as these [published in reputable medical journals] were widely quoted, and re-quoted, and re-quoted. During the hysteria campaign these articles would provide the scientific credibility used by its exponents.
And unfortunately, due to the hysteria campaign [again, this is not the place to get into this] these same journals remained quite about the whole thing. What is it that Victor Hugo once said:
"All that the forces of Evil need to win in this world is for enough good men to do nothing"In any case, [for obvious reasons] little progress on new uses for Cannabis was done at this time. Little, but not exactly zero:
- As a Treatment for INSANITY:
SCIENCE NEWS LETTER
[ ]- "Marihuana found useful in certain mental ills" May 30, 1942 pp 341
- As the Source of INSANITY:
SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- "Mental symptoms associated with the smoking of dagga" 1938 V.12 pp 85
PSYCHIATRIC QUARTERLY
[ ]- "Some Psychiatric Aspects of Marijuana Intoxication" Jan 1936 V.10 pp 234
JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
[ ]- "Psychosis Following the Use of Marijuana; with Report of cases" 1939 pp 390
- VETERINARY USES:
POULTRY SCIENCE
[ ]- "The Effect of Hempseed Preparations and Fineness of Diet on the Chick Gizard Lining" V.17 pp 155 March 1938
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
[ ]- Feb 1943 pp 122 "Cannabis: marihuana- No deteriorating effect + does not cause addiction
- As a Cure for ADDICTION:
SOUTHERN MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- "Treatment of the morphine abstinence syndrome with a synthetic Cannabis-like compound" 1944 V.37 pp 26
- As a Source of ADDICTION:
ANTISEPTIC MADRAS
[ ]- Case report of patient addicted both to opium and cannabis indica, 1944, V.41 pp 610
- As a Source of CRIME:
PRACTICE OF MEDICINE: (International Medical Digest)
[ ]- "The Menace of Marihuana" - Symposium Section V.31 pp 183 Sep 1937
NEW ORLEANS MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- "Marihuana Menace" V.84 pp 247 1931/1932
- As NOT a Source of CRIME:
PHILADELPHIA MEDICINE
[ ]- Editorial on the marihuana baggaboo Jan 8, 1944
MILITARY SURGEON
[ ]- "Maria-Juana (Panama canal Study)" Nov 1933 V.73 pp. 269
- PSYCHOSIS [Cannabis as a Cause of]:
ILLINOIS MEDICAL JOURNAL
[ ]- "Psychosis due to exogenous toxins-marihuana" 1940 V.77 pp 278
JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
[ ]- "Psychosis Following the Use of Marijuana; with Report of cases" 1939 pp 390
Even sadder, these laws stopped all research into new medical products for its use. It would not be until the mid 1960s that more uses would, yet again be found.
11.6 - CANNABIS AFTER THE M.T.A. [MARIHUANA TAX ACT]:
Cannabis Tincture [1800-1942]
Contrary to popular belief, Cannabis was not outlawed outright in 1937.
This bottle of tincture Cannabis, sold by the Lloyd Brothers Co. from 1880 to 1941 is proof that NOT all pharmaceutical manufacturers stopped making/marketing Cannabis products in 1937.
As can be seen from their price and product catalogs [See Pictures] their tincture was still up on store shelf's, well into the 1940's.
11.6.1 - The M.T.A. [The Marihuana Tax Act]:
In 1937 (at the height of the depression) the federal government placed a special $1 an ounce tax on all medical cannabis products. Additionally, this tax, known as the M.T.A. [the Marihuana Tax Act] also placed some [how shall we call them] odious record keeping requirements. In the words of one newspaper article:
"All dealers must register with a collector of internal revenue," A.D. Stevenson, Narcotic Inspector in Columbus, said yesterday. . . . [However] Ralph White, past president of the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association, said here that most retail druggists will not bother to get licenses " -- The Youngstown Vindicator Oct 1, 1937And thus its rapid decline started. However, contrary to popular belief, at least technically, it wasn't until 1970 that Medical Cannabis was officially outlawed. And then only in the United States.
11.6.2 - Bulk Cannabis: [See Pictures]
As can be observed from notices in the American Druggist Blue Book [a pharmaceutical trade publication], Cannabis in both it's Bulk and Powdered forms was being sold to Druggists, well after the passage of the M.T.A.
11.6.3 - Cannabinon Tablets: [See Pictures]
As seen in the Elmer & Amend Co. [1939] price and product catalog, the price of a vial of Cannabinon tablets was 40 cents in 1939. However, it is unknown if the M.T.A. tax would be added later.
11.6.4 - Using Tax Records to locate Cannabis Antiques:
It is interesting to note (with more than just a little irony here) that the M.T.A. and the paper-work that it generated can/is now being used by antique collectors to actually pin-point and locate Cannabis antiques.
As an example, tax records now show that in 1938 there were 40 manufacturers of Cannabis/Hemp products in the State of New Jersey alone. [7] [See Pictures]
11.6.5 - A SLOW END:
In 1942 under what most now consider to be more than just a little bit of political pressure, Cannabis was officially removed from both the U.S. Pharmacopoeia as well as the National Formulary. However, [at least on paper] it would be another 30 years before its medical use would officially be outlawed, but for all practical purposes, the era of its (legal) medical uses was over.
Other than for paper stamps [see below] Antique Collectors pretty much halt their collections at the year 1942.
11.6 - FINAL WARNING:
|
Please, it cannot be said enough, if you have a modern day medical problem, PLEASE see a modern day medical professional. They'll know a lot more than some guy did back in the early 19th Century. |
|---|
While doing research for this chapter, I run into an interesting article, which [believe it or not] recommended Cannabis and fresh leeches as a treatment for some ailment or another. And here I only wish I were joking, but I am not.
The purpose, the sole purpose of this chapter is to help the antique Cannabis collectors "TARGET" his/her search for those antiques--- nothing more.
Please, it cannot be said enough, if you have a modern day medical problem, PLEASE see a modern day medical professional. They'll know a lot more than some guy did back in the early 19th Century.
FOOTNOTES:
[1A] See Chapter 1, a short/graphic history of Cannabis.
[1B] There are numerous paintings of Paracelsus, each one looks radically different from the others. This one was chosen because it look about right.
[2] Paracelsus is also considered the father of Western Pharmacy, and Chemistry.
[3] In all fairness it should be noted that not all agree with those statements. Some actual have called Paracelsus a charlatan [among other things] etc.
[4] Claudius Galen was a Roman physician whose textbooks on medicine were used throughout the Middle Ages.
[5] The church has since apologized for what happened.
[6] It is assumed that the reader has already had a chance to look over chapter 1, which includes a section on O'Shaughnessy.
[7] Warning the exact number of Cannabis/Hemp manufacturers varies from Government agency to agency.
[8] It is assumed that the reader has already had a chance to look over chapter 1, which includes a section on O'Shaughnessy.
[9] Technically, there were pre-1980 negative articles, BUT were for the most part confined to prohibitionist magazines.
[10] [Panama Cannel report] "This board reported that reports of alleged effects of marijuana seem to have little basis in fact and there is no medical evidence that it causes insanity. In response to an inquiry a physician author of an article "The Weed of Insanity," published in a medical journal, replied "I am sorry to say that I have had little experience with Cannabis Indica . . . My interest in the drug was at the onset mainly literary." Similar replies were received to other inquiries." --- Anslinger Collection at Penn State University
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