An Enquiry into the Causes of Mescal Visions.

Abstract

MESCAL hallucinations have recently been investigated in the hope that their elucidation might help to unravel other hallucinatory phenomena. Zucker 1 administered mescaline to patients with hallucinations. From the protocols given many of the effects obtained (coloured lights, tapestry patterns, visions of snakes and other animals) appear to have been similar to those induced by mescaline in normal persons. He concludes with the noncommittal statement that the hallucinatory experiences of mescaline are not essentially identical with other hallucinations. The hallucinations produced by mescal have been frequently described, most recently by Guttmann.2 They are predominantly visual. They vary somewhat in different individuals, but show common features which have not been explained, but which in a search for causes seem worthy of study. Knauer and Maloney 3 state that 'it was characteristic of practically all the poisonings that to wavy lines succeeded mosaics; carpets; floral designs; ornaments; wood carvings; windmills; monuments; mausoleums; panoramic landscapes; statuesque men and animals, frequently of unnatural doll-like forms; and finally complete scenes which changed so as to unfold episodes in a connected manner.' Rouhier4 divides the hallucinations experienced into four conventional classes, but the sequence, fundamentally, is much the same as that described by Knauer and Maloney. Most of Beringer's 5 experimenters experienced a similar succession.