352
treatment of tetanus, delirium tremens,
sleeplessness, dyspepsia, to relieve pain
and spasm.
I refer to the moderate occasional use of the drug.
42. The moderate occasional use is harmless,
except to those who are predisposed to insanity.
The moderate habitual use, as a rule, does not
bring on insanity, except in those who are predis-
posed to it.
43. Yes.
44. A pleasurable sensation and elevation of
spirits. It is refreshing and produces slight in-
toxication. Ganja allays hunger, and bhang
creates appetite. The effect of charas lasts for one
to two hours, of ganja four to six hours, and
of bhang ten to twelve or even twenty-four hours.
Yes; the want of subsequent gratification produces
uneasiness and longing.
45. (a) Yes.
(b) and (c) It impairs the constitution after
long use, causes loss of appetite and injures
digestion.
(d) May be an indirect cause of bronchitis,
dysentery and asthma.
(e) Impairs the moral sense, induces laziness,
and leads to insanity and debauchery.
(f) It deadens the intellect and produces in-
sanity only in those who are predisposed to it,
or whose nervous system is weak and excitable.
The insanity is, as a rule, of the violent type, and
is temporary. The symptoms may be reinduced
by use of the drug after liberation from restraint.
A murderous propensity is a typical symptom
of this form of insanity. Yes, insanes confess
to the use of the drug, though they have no
recorded ganja history.
(g) Yes. No.
46. The bad effects are more marked. Most
cases of insanity are to be attributed to the habitual
excessive use of ganja.
47 and 48. The children are sometimes found to
be affected, their intellect has in many instances been
noticed to be weak, and their moral sense rather
blunt. They are seen sometimes to imbibe the
habit of ganja or charas smoking, but whether the
habit is the result of hereditary influence trans-
mitted to the children, is a question which I am.
unable to answer satisfactorily.
49 (a) Yes.
(b) Yes, by low-class prostitutes.
(c) No.
(d) Yes.
50. The excessive use of any of these drugs
leads to impotence.
51 and 52. Yes; criminals who resort to these
drugs have their moral sense blunted, and are
very often led to commit crimes with a view to
obtain the money requisite in satisfying their
created wants and vicious desires and propensities.
53 and 54. Yes.
55. Yes; people are sometimes induced to
smoke charas and are rendered insensible, and their
things are thus robbed. Very often dhatura is
mixed with it to induce complete stupefaction.
Complete insensibility and stupefaction may be
thus induced by ganja and charas without any
admixture.
56. The intoxication caused by hemp is more
intensified by admixture with other substances,
whether used in moderation or excess. Dhatura
is most commonly mixed with bhang to heighten
its intoxicating effect for personal consumption or
for administration to others.
57. In Orissa ganja is powdered and eaten by
people.
58. It is working well.
60. The cultivation of hemp and its preparation
are, in my opinion, sufficiently controlled.
61. Sufficiently controlled.
62, 63 and 64. No.
65. Yes, reasonable.
66 and 67. No.
68. Yes; such places should be selected, subject
to local option.
69. No; the wishes of the people are not consult-
ed, but they ought to be.
142. Evidence of NIMAI CHARAN DAS,* Vaidya, Medical Practitioner, Chittagong.
1. My occupation as medical practitioner.
2. Yes; may be accepted. Bhang, charas and
ganja.
7. No; not cultivated in this district.
14. No; not prepared in this district.
20. The labouring classes, such as fishermen,
shoemakers, up-country servants, and most of the
prostitutes smoke ganja in this district. Charas
is not used in this district.
21. Chur is generally preferred.
22. Not used in this district.
23. No; not used for smoking.
25. The use of ganja and bhang is on the in-
crease. We can make out by the increase of sale.
26. (a) 50 per cent.
(b) 12½ "
(c) 12½ "
(d) All.
This is for ganja only.
The number of bhang-drinkers is very limited.
None smoke charas in this district.
27. Ganja is generally taken by the labouring
classes to bear up fatigue.
28. For ganja only—
(a) Six pies per diem.
(b) Two annas and six pies per diem.
29. Tobacco leaf is ordinarily mixed. Dhatura
is scarcely mixed.
30. Ganja is generally taken in company,
scarcely in solitude. It is not confined only to
male sex; females also take it. The majority
are the prostitutes. Children do not take.
31. I speak only for ganja. Yes; the habit
is easily formed, and it is very difficult to break
off. Yes; moderate habit develops into excessive.
32. There is a sect of Hindus called "Tan-
tricks," who are required to drink and smoke.
The majority smokes ganja. Yes; it is essential.
* Was invited to attend at a meeting of the Commission for oral examination, but failed to appear.