January 14, 2009
Unusual forms of drug addiction, 1933:
I've just found a curious paper from 1933 on unusual forms of drug addiction that contains some charming old-world views on the diversity of intoxication.
It was apparently presented at the wonderfully named 'Society for the Study of Inebriety' and uses the term 'addiction' synonymously with general drug use but does describe a number of curious ways of drug taking in different cultures.
...perhaps our author is more to be trusted in his description of the curious method used by the Zulu Kafis when indulging in the drug [cannabis]. It appears that these people place some burning manure on top of a handful of hashish, and, having covered up all with a small mound of earth, they dig air holes in the heap with their fingers.
Each man then lies down in turn and inhales the smoke through these vents. After a few whiffs they retain the vapour in their respiratory organs for a while with the object of inducing a violent attack of coughing and expectoration. It is evident that they like their dope full flavoured and take their pleasures as sadly as an Englishman is reputed to take his!
Full flavoured indeed!
It also notes that the word 'muggles' was used as slang for marijuana in '30s New Orleans. Is there something you aren't telling us J.K. Rowling?
Link to paper 'Some Unusual Forms of Drug Addiction'.
