359
48. I do not think so.
49. (a) Yes, to a certain extent.
(b) I have no experience.
(c) No, not more injurious.
(d) Yes; excessive use of hemp tends to pro-
duce impotence, and not the moderate use.
50. The excessive use of any of these drugs
does not excite venereal desire.
56. In moderation and in excess the modifica-
tion tends to increase the mischievous action.
Not known to me.
Oral evidence.
Question 1. —I was a student in the Calcutta
Medical College for 2½ years. I took no degree,
as I did not complete the course. It is twenty
years since I left college, and I have been practis-
ing all that time. First I entered the service of
the King of Oudh as family physician, and remain-
ed there twelve years. Since then I have been in
independent practice.
Question 46.—The insanity caused by the exces-
sive use of ganja is sometimes permanent and
sometimes temporary. I have treated two cases of
permanent insanity due to ganja as the exciting
cause. I cannot say whether there were other
causes. I have treated three or four cases in
which the insanity was temporary. The insanity
lasted one or two months, and when the habit
was dropped the insanity was cured. The symp-
toms in permanent and temporary insanity from
the hemp drugs are the same, except that the
symptoms in permanent cases are more severe.
The symptoms of hemp drug insanity are the
same as those of any other sort of insanity.
148. Evidence of ANNADA PRASANNA GHATAK, M.B., Private Medical Practitioner,
Arrah.
1. Experience as a medical man; experience
gained from coming in contact with people using
the drugs, and from inmates of lunatic asylums
and jails.
18. Yes; these drugs deteriorate by keeping,
and quite lose their effect when very old.
19. Yes, for the most part. Ganja is some-
times taken with bhang to intensify the narcotic
effects of the latter.
20. Ganja is smoked by the labouring classes
and by ascetics, especially Sivaites or worshippers
of Siva.
30. (b) Mainly confined to the male.
(c) Very rare.
33. Ganja-smoking is looked down upon by
the better classes of society. Ganja-smoking is
looked down upon because it injures the health,
both of the body and mind.
34. The labouring class may be slightly incon-
venienced by being deprived of the ganja, inas-
much as the drug serves to sustain them during
work in the absence of food, but only temporarily.
40. Bhang is prescribed by kabirajes and hakims.
41. (a) Bhang to some extent.
(b) Smoking of ganja is said to do so.
(c) These drugs are not known to have any
direct febrifuge or anti-malarious property, though
Cannabis indica is sometimes used for its indirect
effect in cases of chronic fever.
(d) The labouring classes use ganja for its
so-called sustaining power; this effect is pro-
duced when the drug is used to a moderate extent.
42. Apart from any other evil effects, the
moderate use may lead to the excessive use, and
prove injurious in this way.
43. Yes.
44. The moderate use of these drugs leads to
temporary exhilaration, specially in cases of fatigue
or bodily exertion. Those using the drugs say
that they sharpen the appetite to a certain extent.
The habitual use does create a longing when the
drug is withheld.
45. The habitual use impairs the healthy tone
of mind, and creates a longing to satisfy which
petty crimes are committed. Causes dysenteric
complaints, especially in those who don't get ade-
quate food.
46. Persons smoking ganja excessively and habit-
ually are known to have been affected with in-
sanity.
49. Ganja and bhang are known to be used as
aphrodisiacs.
53. The excessive indulgence in ganja leads to
excitement and loss of self-control; and under
such circumstances crimes may be committed.
54. Dacoits are said to use ganja and bhang for
such purposes.
55. Yes; those who are not accustomed to these
drugs would be stupefied if they are made to
partake of them.
56. Dhatura seeds are mixed with ganja and
bhang to intensify their effects.
Dhatura is administered in mixtures for criminal
purposes. People are thus drugged and robbed
very often.
149. Evidence * of RAKHAL DAS GHOSH, Private Medical Practitioner,
Calcutta.
I am a private medical practitioner of this city.
About seventeen years ago I was in Government
employ, but resigned service to practise independ-
ently. My experience of hemp drugs is derived
from my practice as a physician and surgeon. I
took my degree of L.M.S. in 1875. I was two
years in Government service, and resigned only
to better my prospects.
In three principal forms hemp is sold in the
Indian markets, viz., ganja, the dried, flowering
tops of the plant Cannabis indica, from which the
resinous exudations have not been removed;
charas, the dried resinous exudations from the
leaves, stalks and flowers; and bhang, subji or
siddhi, the leaves of wild ganja plants. Of these
three varieties, ganja and charas are generally
* This written statement was read to the Commission by witness, when a few modifications made by him orally were
incorporated.