131
the whole time. When I saw them on the eighth
day they were clothed (in dhoti). Both stood up
and saluted and said they were ready to go
back to their work. On the seventh day they had
been precisely the same as on any other day. I
could see no difference. I wrote on the eighth
day that they were sane. They were released at
once, and went back to their work. I have heard
of no recurrence. I have seen one of them several
times since, and heard about the other. Neither
has had a relapse.
1 knew that the two men had both been well
conducted in the police. They were so reported.
There was nothing known accurately about the
cause, for the men refused to give information, and
nothing was ascertained that could have been used
against the fakir, who was known. There was
somebody who said it was charas. It may have
been dhatura. I never examined the pupils. The
men were in the cells all the time. I noticed no
physical symptoms. Both men wanted to go back
to the hills and become fakirs, and go in for a reli-
gious life. I am persuaded that they took no
food or water for seven days. Food and water
put in were always left untouched. I do not
remember any case of dhatura poisoning. I have
neither seen nor read of any case of insanity pro-
duced by belladonna or atropine. The men were
never out of the cells. They were regarded as too
dangerous. I have had several other cases of
insanity before me. I have not had any which I
attributed to hemp drugs. I have never had my
attention drawn to the effects of these drugs.
The matter has never come before me in my prac-
tice. The fact that these two young constables
had smoked with a fakir brought the matter before
me in that case.
Question 56.—This answer is based solely on
information given by the Assistant Surgeon. He
spoke only of bhang. I know nothing of dhatura
being mixed with charas. The Assistant Surgeon
seemed to he favourable to bhang and strongly
opposed to charas as a noxious drug.
89. Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR F. D. C. HAWKINS, Civil Surgeon, Etawah.
1. As Civil Surgeon of various districts, a few
cases due to the abuse of the drugs in question
have come to my notice.
2. My information about the drugs will not
permit of my giving a reply to this question
19. I have always been under the impression
that these drugs were usually smoked.
23. I do not know. In the majority of cases
bhang is pounded into a fine powder and mixed
with water.
28. A moderate smoker will consume two pipes
(chillums) a day of charas, i.e., about the quantity
he can purchase for a pice. Bhang is cheaper,
and for a pice he can obtain sufficient for two or
more days, Anything above this may be regard-
ed as excessive.
29. I know of none of the drugs mentioned
being mixed with hemp drugs; though I believe
that occasionally those who are addicted to the
excessive use of bhang mix it with spirits when
they desire an extra bout of intoxication.
30. It is usually purchased at the licensed shop
and consumed at home.
31. From what I have gathered the habit is
easily formed, and difficult to break off. On the
whole I have formed the opinion that those who
keep to bhang do not exceed and in some cases those
who take to ganja and charas-smoking remain
moderate consumers. As long as they keep within
bounds, little or no harm overtakes them; but the
habit is liable to grow on them and increased
quantities are required. But compared with the
harm produced by alcohol in England, the harm
done by these drugs in India is inconsiderable.
32. None that I am aware of.
36. Not that I know of.
37. I do not know that there is any different
effect produced by the use of the
different
forms of hemp drugs. I believe that bhang is
most frequently used by those who seek the plea-
surable sensations arising from hemp drugs, on
account of its being cheaper and perhaps its exces-
sive use may be less harmful than the others.
39. I cannot say. My experience, which is
not extensive, leads me to think that smoking the
drug has the greatest tendency to produce in-
sanity.
40. I do not know.
41. That the use of the drugs relieves the feel-
ing of fatigue, I have little doubt; but that it
gives staying-power taken before undertaking
great exertion is another matter. As to its being
an antimalarial I can give no opinion.
42. Taken in moderation I do not consider that
any of the drugs do much harm; I base tin's opi-
nion on the fact that I have had under my notice
men who were consumers of bhang and charas
without being able to observe ill-effects.
When
the bounds of moderation are passed, then mis-
chief, moral, mental and physical occur.
44. It is undoubtedly refreshing and gives rise
to pleasurable sensations. Kahars after carrying
doolies a distance take bhang or smoke ganja to re-
lieve themselves of the sensation of weariness.
45. As regards the action of these drugs on
digestion I have no opinion to give. Hemp drugs
in moderation are rather a benefit than otherwise
in dysentery. Charas-smoking is supposed to have
an injurious effect on The bronchial apparatus
when indulged in to excess. As regards charas
and ganja-smoking they probably do induce lazi-
ness and are said to be an aphrodisiac. I can recall
some half-dozen cases in which they have probab-
ly been the cause of exciting temporary insanity,
and this in cases where I could obtain no history
of hereditary or other predisposing cause. As a
rule they conceal their habit. I have no doubt
that in persons suffering from mental worry and
brain disease the habit would accelerate symptoms
of insanity, and would excite them in cases in
which, were the habit non-existent, symptoms of
insanity might never have arisen.
After writing the above answer I observe the
question refers to the moderate use of the drugs.
My reply refers to the excessive use.
46. The same as in question No. 45; only more
so.
47. I am unable to say.
48. As the excessive use is injurious to the
parent, the child will probably suffer also; but I
vol. v.
x 2