223
confined to the male sex, and it is not usual for
children to consume any of these drugs.
31. The habit of consuming any of these drugs
is easily formed, and, when formed, it is very
difficult to break off without risk of disorder and
uneasiness of mind; but an enforced discontinu-
ance of the habit does not endanger life. As a
general rule, the moderate habit develops into the
excessive.
32. The consumption of any of these drugs, as
far as I am aware, is not connected with any
religious custom. A good many stories are told
on the subject which have little or no foundation
in truth, and it would be of no use to mention
them.
As a social custom, the natives of Bengal
universally drink bhang on the Dassera day, and
majun is eaten by the natives of the upper
provinces at the Holi festival.
36. I have every reason to believe that alcohol
is now being to some extent substituted for all
these drugs among the well-to-do classes. This
change is attributed to the exciting and bad effects
of all these drugs.
As for the proof, it is enough to say that rich
classes of the people are now rarely found to
consume any of these drugs, they having ample
means to pay for alcohol.
37. The effects of charas-smoking are different
from those of ganja-smoking, which has less
influence over the brain than the former. The
action of charas upon the brain is immediate, and
it acts with greater force. The effects of bhang-
drinking are quite different from either of the
other two. Its action is slow, mild, beneficial to
the digestive system, and less injurious to any
of the organs of the body if moderately used.
39. With the exception of bhang, the eating
or drinking of any other preparation of the hemp
plant is a more injurious form of consumption than
smoking. As for the general effects of the drug,
I beg to quote the following passage from Dr.
Cowperthwaite's text-book :—
"Cannabis indica acts as a powerful excitant
of the nervous system, perverting the functions
of the brain and increasing both intellectual and
motor activity. For this reason, in India it is
used as an intoxicating exhilarant. Its action
depends largely upon the temperaments of indivi-
duals in whom it is employed, varying from a
mild exhilaration and happy reverie in some, to
a most intense and highly exalted ecstasy in those
most susceptible to its influences ; in such, all
sensations, perceptions, and conceptions being
exaggerated to the utmost degree. Distances seem
infinite and time endless ; pleasure is paradise
itself, and any painful though for feeling plunges
at once into the depths of misery. As the action
varies in intensity, so also does it to some extent
in character, according to the natural disposition
of the person, the existing state of mind, and the
quantity of the drug employed, the exhilaration
and activity sometimes giving place to sadness,
depression and weakness ; and those possessing evil
and malignant dispositions, sometimes become ex-
tremely vicious and violent. In short, those faculties
most active in health are most powerfully affected
by the drug.
"It affects the nervous and sanguine tempera-
ment most, the bilious nearly as much, the lym-
phatic but slightly. It produces delirum tremens,
mania, catalepsy, neuralgia and Bright's disease."
40. In homœopathy Cannabis saliva is used for
medicinal purposes in the treatment of delirium
tremens, mania, catalepsy, neuralgia, etc.,—the
symptoms this drug produces in healthy persons ;
but I am not aware that these drugs are prescribed
by any school of native doctors. Bhang is also
used for treatment of cattle for weak digestion and
loss of appetite.
41. I am of opinion that neither the excessive
nor the moderate use of ganja and charas is in any
way beneficial in its effects, as they both act as a
powerful excitant of the nervous system affecting
the functions of the brain and increasing the intel-
lectual and motor activity. Injury is thus caused
both to the mind and body ; but the moderate use
of these two drugs is in some extent beneficial to
the labouring classes of the people, as it gives
staying-power under severe exertion or exposure
and alleviates fatigue. The moderate use of bhang
is beneficial in its effects and does good to the
digestive system.
42. My answer to this question is given in
answer to question 41.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use
of ganja and charas on the habitual consumer is
refreshing; but it is a powerful excitant on the
nervous system, producing immediate intoxication
which lasts from two to three hours. It does not
allay hunger nor create appetite. Headache, idle-
ness, dryness of the month and throat and irritable
temper are its after-effects, and the want of
subsequent gratification produces much longing
as well as uneasiness.
The effects of the moderate use of Bhang is slow
and mild. It produces gradual intoxication, which
lasts from three to four hours. It is refreshing ;
it allays hunger and creates appetite ; but then the
want of subsequent gratification produces longing
and uneasiness if a habit has already been formed.
45. Habitual consumption of ganja and charas,
either moderate or excessive, produces noxious
effects, physical, mental, and moral ; but the
moderate drinking of bhang does not produce
such effects, though excessive drinking does.
The habitual use of ganja or charas badly impairs
the constitution, injures the digestion, causes loss
of appetite, dysentery, bronchitis, and asthma. It
also impairs the moral sense, induces laziness and
habits of immorality and debauchery. It does,
in most cases, deaden the intellect and produce
insanity.
46. My answer to this question is given in
answer to question 45.
47. The habitual moderate use of any of these
drugs does not appear to me to be hereditary, nor
does it affect children of the moderate consumer.
48. Although the habitual excessive use of any
of these drugs is not hereditary, yet it does to
some extent affect children of the excessive
consumers.
49. The moderate or excessive use of any of
these drugs is rarely practised as an aphrodisiac,
as its heating effects generally affect the functions
of the brain and heart, thus causing loss of the
sexual passion, and gradually tending to produce
partial or complete impotence. The use of any of
these drugs as on aphrodisiac does, I am told, more
injury than its use as an ordinary narcotic. Long
continued excessive use of any of these drugs tends
to produce impotence.
50. My answer to this question is given in
answer to question 49.
56. My answer to this question is given in my
answer to question 29.