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Show 14 BEPORT OF THE COMX1SSK)XER OF IXDIAN AFS+AIBS ! quantities the effect is almost immediate. In moat imtsnoes it I produces nausea,foIlowed by stupor, in which a11 sorts of beautiful visioris are expe.~enced,,awomp&ed by great elevation of spirit and afeeling of good will toward all mankind. Apparently for the pur-pose of justifying the use of this narcotic, a religious cult has been built up based on its use. It is claimed by the Indian devotees that the white man can not obtain the benefits of the use of the narcotic which comes to the Indians. . , The peyote has been the subject'of study by a number of scientists, among them Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, who has experimented upon him-self and has described the sensations produced. In 1897 the Smith-mnian Institution published a paper on the subject by Havelock Ellis, entitled "Mescal, A New Artiticial Paradise." -: The Bureau- of Chemistry of the Agricultural Department analyzed the'article and found that it contained four alksloidal cansbituents, anhalonine, mescaline, anhdonidine, and lophophora. Aside from the*; two other elements were isolated which were called pellotine md inhalamine. The analyses which have been made, the elements defibed being taken into consideration, do not explain to the scien-kific mind the effect produced on the user, but'this is also tme of other substames. The astion on the nerves is so intense that in some instances persons who. were in poor physical condition and indulged to. a considerable extent died. M y one case has been reported to the 05ce wherean ~zpparantlyh edthy person died from its use. :The effects of the indulgence last longer in the use of peyote than in I the use of alcohol, the taking of a small amount affecting the user for not less than thirty-six hours afterwards. The mind apparently becomes cleai .after the visions have departed, but lsssitude con-tinues. The persistent use of peyote deprives the user of both mental and physical vigor. It dms not move the person who is under its &hence to violence, as ia the csse with alcohol, and for that reason some well-meaning men have suggested that its sale be not interdicted becauseof its removing the appetite for alcoholic liquors, resulting I in many instances in a turbulent and riotous drunkard becoming a quiet, inoffensive person. ' However, since its use is injurious to the mind and bodily strength, and will even cause death, the office can not permit such a practice to continue. The Indians claim that the peyote is valuable for its rndicind qualities and as a specific for van: ow forma of disease. Physicians who have had it under observation, however, say it has no medicinal ~roperbiesa nd that Indians who for e period used it for & sorts of ailments have abandoned it and returned to othn drugs and medicines. : In May Chief Special Oflker Johnson visited Laredo, Tex., the source of the supply d peyote, bought up the entire supply in the market, destroyed it;, and obtained from the wholesale dealers agree-ments that they we& no. Longer continue in the traffic. |
