128
produced the insanity. In doubtful cases the
entry should be "cause unknown."
The majority of cases admitted to the asylum
under hemp drugs are young men. But I have
not considered the matter sufficiently to be able
to base any conclusions on this fact.
Question 50.—As to producing impotence, my
statement in answer 50 is based entirely on what
I have been told. I have seen no cases or any-
thing of that kind.
87. Evidence of SURGEON -MAJOR J. F. TUOHY , Civil Surgeon, Saharunpur.
1. I have not made any special study of the
effects of these drugs on moderate or excessive
consumers of them. My information is derived
entirely from an examination of a number of pri-
soners in Saharunpur Jail, who admitted they
were addicted to their use before imprisonment.
I made the enquiry with a view to answering as
far as possible these questions.
2. Ganja, I am informed, is not used in this
district. Charas is also known as " sulpha," and
bhang as bhang, patti and siddhi; but bhang is
the usual name.
19. As far as I could ascertain, ganja is not
used in this district, and charas is only used for
smoking.
23. I am informed it is not in this district.
28. (a) Charas, about 30 grains, half anna
daily. Bhang, 180 grains, 1/12th anna daily.
(b) Charas, 180 grains, 3 annas. Bhang, 2
ounces, ¼th of one anna.
29. With charas (a), only tobacco; with bhang
(a), black pepper, almonds, poppy-seeds, milk,
the seeds of gourd. The object of these is that
they are thought to make the bhang more cool-
ing. I could get no information about any bhang
massala being for sale in the bazar: all said there
was no such massala to be had in the bazars of
this district, Each consumer of bhang makes his
own massala.
30. All say that both charas and bhang are
taken in company, and their use is confined to
men. No respectable women use them, and
children never.
31. As far as I could ascertain, it takes over
a week to get habituated to either of these drugs,
and all say it is difficult to break it off. They
also say unanimously that there is no tendency
to the excessive use of these drugs. Taken this
way it leads to insensibility, which would seem to
defeat the object of the consumers, who take them
for exhilaration.
32. Prom only one prisoner could I get any
information.
He said that the Hindu god
Mahadeo is supposed to have indulged in drink-
ing bhang, and on his (Mahadeo's) festivals all
Hindus are expected to drink it, even women and
children. The Holi is the festival when its use
is most general, and this man maintained that
any one who did not drink it then was not a
Hindu. From personal observation I know that
there is a large amount of intoxication during the
Holi, but I only now learn it is from bhang.
36. Could get no information on this point, ex-
cept that a few said alcohol was too expensive to
give up bhang for it. Bhang in fact appears to
be the poor man's stimulant.
37. Charas is said to be a more powerful drug
than bhang, the intoxication from it is said to be
more rapid in its onset and to be deeper. It is
also thought to be what the natives call more
heating, and one prisoner said he took charas in
the cold weather and bhang in the hot for this
reason.
39. I am unable to answer this question.
40. Could get no certain information, but I was
informed that cattle get these drugs occasionally
when they are out of sorts, and in order to get
more work out of them.
(a) All say they are a powerful tonic and aid
to digestion.
(b) All are positive they do have these effects.
(c) and (d) Could get no certain information.
42. I am unable to answer these questions, as I
have not made a special study of the effects of
these drugs.
44. It has an exhilarating effect, is said to be
refreshing, and will produce intoxication if taken
to excess. They will not allay, but produce
hunger. The effects are said to last three or four
hours. The after-effects are languor, pains in the
joints, and a longing for another dose.
45. I am unable to answer these questions from
personal observation. The consumers of the drugs
have assured me that they cause no ill-effects of
any kind when taken in moderation. One man
only said that bronchitis and asthma were caused.
They admit to some extent that their use leads to
immorality. Though I never took notes of the
cases during my ten years as Civil Surgeon, I
believe a very considerable proportion of the
lunatics sent to me under observation became
insane from the use of these drugs, especially
charas, as the exciting cause. Of these cases a
great many got well while under observation
merely, I believe, from the fact that during that
time the drug was withdrawn. This would point
to the fact that the insanity was due to the drug
and not to previous mental disease. I am unable
to give particulars of cases as I took no notes, and
I have drawn my conclusions from the cases
which I have seen from time to time.
46. Not having enquired closely into individual
cases or taken notes, I am unable to distinguish
the difference of effects produced by the excessive
as against the moderate use of these drugs.
47. I am informed there is no tendency to
heredity, but natives are so unobservant that this
can count for little.
48. I am unable to answer this question.
49. All agree that they are used as an aphro-
disiac, and the only women who use them are
prostitutes, and they use them for their aphro-
disiac properties. There seems to be no difference
in amount used for aphrodisiac purposes and
ordinary stimulation. It seems to be the general
opinion amongst consumers that eventually their
continued use leads to impotence.
50. I am unable to answer this question for the
reasons already given.
56. I could get no information on this point,
except, that the only one of the drugs mentioned