302
smoker to suffer from that disease. As regards
the other alleged beneficial effects, I have no
experience. I have never known a person who has
given up the habit, and I am therefore ignorant
of the results of deprivation of the drugs.
45. I have no notes of any cases in which the bad
effects described in question 45 have resulted from
the use of the drugs. I have, however, treated
cases of asthma, bronchitis, and the like, which
have resulted from prolonged use of the drugs.
But I cannot recall any such cases.
I have seen a few cases of insanity from the
use of the drugs, but cannot recall the details of
any of them, as I have taken no notes. I re
- m e m b e r t w o o r t h r e e c a s e s t h a t w e r e b r o u g h t
insane to the dispensary, but I don't remember
their histories, but from the signs and symptoms
of their insanity, and the circumstances of their
lives, I was led to believe that their insanity was
caused by the use of Indian hemp. The circum
- s t a n c e s t o w h i c h I r e f e r w e r e t h e i r r e s i d e n c e i n
" mat tams " and their having about them the
necessary equipment for smoking ganja. These
circumstances , however, I do not regard as material,
the principal reason for my conclusion being the
signs and symptoms exhibited by them. The
signs were dilatation of the pupils, the peculiar
breath characteristic of ganja smoking, hallucina
- t i o n s a n d d e l u s i o n s a n d i l l u s i o n s , s o m e t i m e s a
peculiar drowsy condition, partial unconsciousness
of surroundings, loss of memory, sometimes com-
plete and sometimes partial stammering, incohe
- r e n c e o f s p e e c h a r i s i n g f r o m p a r t i a l o r c o m p l e t e
loss of power over the muscles of articulation. I
think dilatation of the pupils and the ganja breath
are the typical symptoms. I should also put down
religious hallucinations and grandiose ideas of
self as being typical symptoms. These symptoms
may be common to insanity arising from other
causes. They are typical when taken with the
ganja breath, and in association all together they
are diagnostic. In the earlier part of my answer,
in which I say that permanent mental aberration
invariably results, I meant by mental aberration
something short of insanity. In the latter part
of my answer I state that insanity, i .e ., complete
i n s a n i t y , i s g e n e r a l l y t e m p o r a r y . I c a n n o t r e c a l l a n y d e t a i l s t o s u b s t a n t i a t e t h e s e o p i n i o n s . T h e y
both, as relating to insanity and other diseases, are
an undefined impression derived from my general
practice.
By undermining ' morality' I mean that moral
notions are degraded, but not that sensuality is
induced.
47. In my opinion the habit is not inborn, and
the children are only affected by way of ex
- a m p l e .
59. I think ganja is more injurious than opium.
I have not seen a man smoking dhatura, but I
have seen a case of a man suffering from alleged
dhatura-smoking.
65. Reduction is advisable to prevent people
taking to more deleterious drugs. The prices of
the drugs have been raised in the last few years.
If any change is made, it should be in the direc
- < b r / >
t i o n
o f r e d u c t i o n .
105. Evidence of DR. ARTHUR WELLS, Medical Officer, Chicacole, Gan jam District.
1. In connection with my profession I have
come in contact with persons who use preparations
of hemp drugs, and with those who are in the
habit of preparing them.
2. Yes. (1) Bhang, (2) charas, (3) ganja.
3. Am not aware of any district where it grows
spontaneously.
4. Hemp or ganja plant.
5 and 6. Have no knowledge.
7. (a) Yes.
(b) No.
(c) and (d) Yes.
Cultivated in back-yards of houses and in fields
in some towns and villages that I have visited.
8. Am not aware.
9. Have no knowledge.
10. No. Persons of all classes, as far as
I am aware, cultivate hemp for narcotic purposes.
11. Am not aware.
12. Have no knowledge.
13. Am not aware.
14. (a) Yes.
(b) No.
(c) Yes.
In towns and villages where is a demand for
these preparations.
15. Bhang is used for drinking and eating;
charas and ganja for smoking.
16, (a) Yes.
(b) and (c) I believe so.
17. By all classes, as far as I am aware of.
18. Bhang and ganja are said to deteriorate by
keeping, but not charas. Charas might lose its
effect after a long time. All these preparations
are said to deteriorate by becoming attacked by in
-sects. If kept in air-tight or stoppered bottles
there is little chance of deterioration.
19. Ganja and charas are used by some habitual
consumers, even for eating and drinking, by admix
- t u r e w i t h o t h e r i n g r e d i e n t s .
20 and 21. Have no knowledge.
22. Charas is imported from the North of
India, and used.
23. It is reported that bhang is often used by
some classes of people for smoking.
24. Have no knowledge.
25. It is reported that the use of ganja and
bhang are on the increase.
26 and 27. Have no knowledge.
28. No average can be arrived at.
29. (a) Milk and sugar are ordinarily used ; (b)
dhatura, mace, nutmeg, etc., are exceptionally
used. Milk and sugar are used to make the pre
-paration pleasant to eat or drink; dhatura, mace
and nutmeg, etc., to increase the intoxicating pro
-perties of the drug.
A preparation is called bhang massala and is
composed of ganja, coriander, carraway, nutmeg,
mace, poppy seeds, almonds, rose petals, milk and
sugar.