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the system to sustain a prolonged exertion; it also
alleviates fatigue.
(c) Bhang from its effects on the nervous system
acts as a mild preventive of disease in malarious and
unhealthy tracts.
44. The immediate effect of the eating or drink
ing of bhang is refreshing, produces a feeling of
exhilaration, and creates an appetite. The effects last
from four to six hours. After that time a period
of repose follows, but the effects are not the same
in all individuals. In some it produces sleep at
once. The want of subsequent gratification pro
duces an uneasiness.
45. The habitual moderate use of bhang does not
act injuriously in any way any more than the
habitual moderate use of alcohol. In two cases of
insanity during the current year which were said
to be the result of smoking charas to excess, I
have no doubt that the charas merely acted as an
exciting cause. One of the cases was that of a
young man who previously suffered from great
depression, insomnia, and general malaise, the result
of over-work. While in that state he was known
to have taken charas to excess, the result being
acute mania. The other case was that of a man
who while an in-patient in the dispensary, having
undergone some trivial operation, suddenly dis
played symptoms of acute homicidal and suicidal
mania. He was said to have smoked charas to
excess, the immediate effects being as described.
This man had a history of previous attacks of in
sanity.
As far as my experience goes, the type of insanity
produced by smoking charas or ganja is always
that of acute mania.
The effects are temporary and are re-induced
after liberation from restraint. There is no doubt
that the abuse of hemp drugs is most common
amongst the religious ascetics. Many of them are
from the commencement individuals of weak and
unstable intellects. This, together with their
vicious habits, acts as inducement to them to resort
to those drugs.
82. Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR EDWARD MAIR, Superintendent, Central Prison,
Bareilly.
1. No special opportunities.
2. These definitions are applicable in this part of
the North-Western Provinces. All these names
are in use, except siddhi, which is that given to the
juice of the kajur palms.
19. In this part of the country ganja and charas
are only used for smoking.
23. Bhang is never used for smoking in this
part of the country.
2.9. Ordinarily, no ingredients are mixed with
any of these drugs. Occasionally, opium is mixed
with bhang to make it more intoxicating. None
of the other drugs mentioned are used for admix
ture in this district. Rose leaves, black pepper,
poppy seeds, kakri, khira, and melon seeds, aniseed,
and other substances are used by natives for mixing
with bhang, but they make the mixtures themselves,
and no prepared mixture is sold in the shops.
30. The use of these drugs is said to be almost
entirety confined to men. The only women who
use them are prostitutes. The drugs are never
given to children.
It is a common opinion that alcohol is being
used to a much greater extent than formerly ; but
there is no reason for supposing it is being used in
place of hemp drugs. Charas is also said to be
used to a greater extent than formerly.
37. The effects of ganja smoking are said to be
more temporary than those of charas smoking. In
this respect the effects of these drugs differ from
those of bhang, the intoxication from which is
more slowly induced and lasts very much longer.
The kind of intoxication is the same in the case
of all three drugs ; the only difference is in the
intensity and the duration of the effects produced.
39. The common native opinion is that the use
of bhang is less injurious than smoking charas, as
the intoxication from the latter is more intense and
more suddenly induced, while the moderate use of
bhang is believed to improve the appetite and
digestion.
40. In this part of the country these drugs are
not used by hakims to any considerable extent, and,
when used, it is only as a substitute for opium.
These drugs are used in the treatment of cattle
disease in the same cases as opium would be given.
41. Bhang is commonly believed to improve
appetite and digestion, but none of these drugs are
used to give staying-power, or as substitutes for
opium in malarious districts.
44. The immediate effect of these drugs is
stimulating and intoxicating. Bhang improves the
appetite; charas and ganja smoking dull the
appetite. The effects of bhang continue for three
or four hours ; those of charas or ganja smoking
only for five or ten minutes. In all cases there is
a reaction after the excitement produced by these
drugs, and one habituated to their use suffers
considerable distress if deprived of them.
45. It is a common opinion that smoking ganja
or charas is a frequent cause of bronchitis and
asthma.
83. Evidence of SURGEON-CAPTAIN CHARLES MACTAGGART , Superintendent, Central
Prison, Agra.
1. What I have recorded has been learned from
prisoners who have been consumers of hemp drugs
before coming to the jails under my charge. As an
official visitor of the lunatic asylum at Agra, I
have seen many cases of insanity due to these
drugs.
2. These definitions may be accepted as regards
this part of the North-Western Provinces. The
three narcotic products of the hemp plant are
known by the names given by Dr. Prain.
19. Ganja and charas are only used for smoking.
23. Bhang is never smoked.
28. (a) Charas, ⅛ of a tola.
Ganja, ¼ of a tola.
Bhang, 1 tola.