374
seeds, poppy seeds, aniseed, and rose petals. To
make it rich some use milk or curd, almond, rose
water, and such other things. Soot makes the
preparation strong to the extreme.
30. The consumption of these drugs rarely, if
at all, is practised in solitude. Females also very
freely take to these drugs. The use is not con-
fined to any time of life, neither is it usual for
children to consume any of these drugs.
31. The habit is not easily formed; but when
once formed cannot be easily broken off unless
another intoxicating drug is had recourse to. No
tendency for excess is observed in moderate con-
sumers.
32. The custom of drinking bhang on the Dasa-
hara day is observed as a religious rite Ravan,
the demon god of Ceylon, was killed on that day,
and Ram, the conqueror, with his monkey troops,
celebrated the victory with this drink. Ganja
and bhang are copiously used on the occasion of
Sivratri and Charak and all other celebration of
the god Siva. But the use of these drugs is not
reckoned as essential to any form of religion, as
an abstainer can equally join the worship. But
such observances cannot possibly lead to the form-
ation of the habit, though unaccustomed drink-
ers or smokers may suffer for the time being.
36. I have no reason to think that alcohol
is now being to a certain extent substituted for
any of these drugs. On the contrary, alcohol
drinkers are seen to advert to these drugs.
37. The effects of ganja can by no means be
compared with those of charas. Charas is for
beginners and ganja for adepts. The effects of
bhang, though it takes time to take effect, are
lasting; so much so, that sometimes it continues
for two or more days.
39. Smoking any preparation of the hemp is
obviously more injurious than eating or drinking
the same. The reasons that can be assigned to
this effect are (a) that the smoke is irritating,
and consequently may bring on dysentery by its
action on the mucous membrane of the alimentary
canal; (b) that by irritating the mucous mem-
brane of the respiratory passages it may cause
bronchitis and asthma. The smoke that gets in-
gress into the lungs enters the pulmonary blood,
and thence it goes into the brain, irritates it, and
hence causes a rush of blood into the same. The
man suffers from the effects of congestion, such
as delirium, etc., and thus there is a tendency to-
wards insanity, the vessels of the brain remaining
in a constant state of turgescence.
40. Siddhi and ganja are prescribed for their
medicinal properties by native doctors. Siddhi
in small doses is used for diarrhœa. In hot
weather siddhi is administered to horses as a re-
frigerent.
41. To persons addicted to the use of these
drugs—
(a) it may be of use as a food accessory or
digestive;
(b) it may give staying-power under severe
exertion or exposure or may alleviate
fatigue;
(c) but it is doubtful whether it is a febrifuge
or preventive of disease in malarious
and unhealthy tracts;
42. I do not consider the moderate use of these
drugs to be harmless. Moderate use may engen-
der a habit.
44. The moderate use of these drugs is refresh-
ing to habitual consumers; but properly speaking
it does not produce intoxication. It makes one
unconscious of hunger, though not actually allay-
ing it; on the contrary it creates appetite. The
effects may last for more or less two hours. As
to after-effects it produces thirst, hunger, etc.,
and the want of subsequent gratification produces
longing and uneasiness.
45. The habitual moderate smokers may become
physically, mentally, and morally weak.
It may impair the constitution.
It does not injure the digestion, nor cause loss
of appetite.
It may cause dysentery, bronchitis, or asthma.
It may impair the moral sense or induce laziness
or habits of immorality or debauchery.
It may deaden the intellect and produce insanity.
I think it is the exciting cause in some cases.
In one case at least I can very strongly say that
ganja smoking was the sole exciting cause of
insanity. This insanity is generally of a violent
character and of a permanent character. When
temporary, which is very rare, it is re-induced by
smoking again. Insanes that have become so by
ganja smoking are violent, raving, etc.
Such
insanes confess that their insanity was the effects
of ganja smoking.
I am not of opinion that persons suffering from
mental anxiety or brain disease may get relief by
ganja smoking. I think that persons deficient in
self-control through weakened brain, having in-
dulged in hemp smoking, turn insanes. I know
of a man who, not having sufficient self-control-
ling power, was occasionally in the habit of
smoking ganja. At last he became a regular
smoker and turned insane.
46. The habitual excessive use of any of these
drugs produces comparatively worse results,
physical, mental, or moral.
47. Such habits, in my opinion, can never be
hereditary.
48. In this case, too, the habit does not go
down from father to son.
49. The moderate use is practised as an aphro-
disiac by prostitutes. The effects of ganja smoking
are the same, whether used this way or the other.
Long-standing habit may produce impotence.
50. The excessive use of any of these drugs
produces comparatively worse results.
56. Ganja is mixed with other substances either
to increase or diminish its effects. Dhatura, nux
vomica, cantharides, opium, or betel-nut makes
the composition stronger. There is a preparation
made of powdered ganja and boiled opium. The
paste is formed into small pills known by the
name of grape-shot. These produce graver effects
than ganja or opium taken separately.
57. Ganja is sometimes eaten solid or drunk
like siddhi, but charas never.
57 a. In my experience as a private practitioner
I have very often come across with patients
suffering from the effects of ganja smoking, who
have almost invariably succumbed at last.
Oral Evidence.
Question 1.—I took my degree of L. M. and
S. in 1880. I have never been in Government
service, but have practised as a general practi-
tioner since.
I have not studied insanity
specially, nor have I special experience in regard
to insanity.