150
What may be moderate quantity in my opinion I
may not be so in that of another. Five grains of
bhang, one chillum of ganja or one of charas does
not, in my opinion, produce any noxious effect,
physical, mental, or moral. It does not, provided
the above quantity is consumed, impair the con-
stitution in any way, in jure the digestion, or cause
loss of appetite. Ganja and charas very often
produce bronchitis and asthma, and sometimes
dysentery; but one chillum per day would not do
so.
The consumption of the quantities stated above
does not, in my opinion, impair the moral sense
or induce laziness or habits of immorality or de-
bauchery,
I have not known these drugs, when used in
moderation, to deaden the intellect or produce
insanity.
46. I have seen two cases of insanity due to the
excessive use of ganja.
47. The moderate use of these drugs is not a
hereditary habit, and does not affect the children.
48. The children of those who take these
drugs in excess very often get into the same habit,
but I believe more from association and example
than any influence of heredity.
49. Charas and bhang are sometimes used
as aphrodisiac, but I do not believe they have
that effect. Low class prostitutes get into the
habit of using these drugs, not for their aphro-
disiac property, but to please their paramours and
keep them company. If these drugs are used
often for their aphrodisiac property, they tend to
produce impotence by exhausting the system.
The use of hemp drugs tends to produce impo-
tence, and it is for this very purpose that they are
largely used by fakirs and jogis.
56. The admixture of dhatura increases injuri-
ous effects of bhang. Dhatura is very often given
by thugs to unwary travellers to produce insensi-
bility.
57. I have never heard of ganja or charas to be
eaten or drunk.
In conclusion, I have often heard that the con-
tractors of hemp drugs adulterate them before
offering them for sale to the public. This, if pos-
sible, should be stopped.
35. I would be sorry to see the use of hemp
drugs prohibited by legislation, because (1) it
would be interfering with the liberty of the people,
and (2) depriving the poorer classes of a drug,
the moderate use of which helps them to go
through bard work and relieves their fatigue. It
would, in my opinion, be injudicious on the part of
Government to interfere with the public in their
consumption of hemp drugs, simply because a cer-
tain number, on account of their excesses, happen
to become insane or take to gambling and thieving.
Government might as well say that no one should
take liquor or consume more than a stated quantity
per diem.
The prohibition of the use of hemp drugs is
also not feasible, because in many parts of the
country they grow naturally, and because hard-
working people require something to steady and
soothe their nerves when the day's work is over.
Were the consumption of hemp drugs prohibited,
people would take to drinking liquor. Could any
harmless exhilarant be supplied to the public, which
would be as cheap as the hemp drugs, I would
say: Stop their consumption by all means.
It is not feasible to restrict the excessive use of
these drugs. Government might increase the
duty and thereby raise their price; but those
classes of people who use these drugs to excess
will use them even then, and take to more
gambling and thieving to obtain the requisite
money, If the consumption of hemp drugs is to
be stopped, why not just as well stop the use of
liquor, which is much more expensive and equally
harmful when taken in excess?
46. Ganja in moderation relieves fatigue and
gives appetite, but in excess it dulls the mental
faculties and makes the consumer prone to fits of
violence and excitement. The continuous use in
excess sometimes leads to insanity. It also spoils
the physique, and gives the consumer a peculiar
haggard and ruffianly appearance.
The moderate use of charas relieves cares and
anxieties and removes fatigue, but its use in excess
spoils appetite for food and aptitude for hard work.
The consumer becomes almost a sloth.
55. I am not aware if any drugs are administered
with any preparation of hemp.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.—I studied in the Lahore Medical
College, and got the degree L. M. S. I have
served in Garhwal, Benares and Allahabad. I
have had no special experience in lunacy cases.
Question 36.—Bhang is taken in the evening
as refreshment after the day's work and appetizer
for the evening meal. The drugs are being sup-
planted by alcohol among a few of the better
classes, but many men are talcing to alcohol who
never had the drug habit. I think native liquor
is more injurious than the hemp drug in its effect
on the people, not only physically but in other
respects also. Liquor is more expensive, and in-
duces a laxer moral tone than the old-fashioned
drugs do. It also makes a man more troublesome
to his neighbours. Brandy and whisky compare
favourably with the hemp drugs, because they
are purer than country liquors of the ordinary
sort.
Question 39.—I consider charas more noxious
than eating or drinking of bhang or smoking of
ganja. There is not much difference regarding
effects between the smoking of ganja and charas,
though charas is stronger. Bhang is less strong
than the other two.
Question 46.—The two cases were within my
knowledge for a long time. There was no family
history of insanity. They frequented bad com-
pany. They might have indulged in other vices
besides ganja. They were young men. They
may have been given to self-abuse or excessive
venery. In one case I have good reason to sus-
pect this. I don't think they took liquor, but
one of them may have done so. This one was of
the Kalwar caste, and though a Vaishnavite is
not likely to have had very strict scruples. I
made the acquaintance of one (of the Kalwar
caste) in 1888 or 1889. He became mad three
years ago. He was then 32 or 33 years of age.
When I first knew him he was a clean liver. He
took to evil courses which led him to ganja, and
probably also to sexual excess and liquor. This
was about a year or two before he became insane.
The other man is now between 30 and 35. I
knew him about six years ago, that is in 1887.
I came to Allahabad in 1884. He had been mad
some time before I saw him, perhaps for two or
three years. I was called in when he became
violent one day. He used to have intervals of