303
inquiring might make a mistake about any fact
about a lunatic. My opinion in regard to this
would depend on a consideration of all the cir-
cumstances under which the information was col-
lected. My experience leads me to conclude that
amongst the classes from whom the patients in
our asylums are usually taken there would be no
hesitation in admitting the use of the drug.
My attention has been directed to hemp drugs
ever since I have been in the asylum. My atten-
tion was specially given to the matter of types
some years ago.
But my attention has been
specially directed to the subject generally, and
I have most carefully studied it, and my views
have been formulated, during the last eight
months.
113. Evidence of SURGEON-CAPTAIN D. PRAIN, Curator of the Herbarium, and
Librarian, Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta.
1. I was instructed by the Government of
Bengal in February 1893 to submit a report to
the Board of Revenue, Lower Provinces, on the
cultivation and use of ganja. I was on deputa-
tion for this purpose during the period 18th
March to 17th June 1893. I had not, previous
to this deputation, been specially interested in
hemp; till then I had only possessed a fairly
complete knowledge of the botanical and a general
average acquaintance with the physiological and
therapeutic characters of the plant and its pro-
ducts.
2. The name ganja is in certain parts of the
Western Himalayas applied somewhat differently.
(See my Report, page 10.)
19. I have found great difficulty in meeting
with any instance of the use of charas in Bengal.
It may indeed be said not to be used in this prov-
ince. My only instances have been among the
class of 'Kabuli' merchants, and even among
them its employment is rarely admitted; nor can
I say whether its use is general among the class.
I have heard of ganja being use for drinking
in Calcutta, but never have met an authentic
instance.
23. I do not know. It was 200 years ago so
used on the Malabar Coast; it would be well
perhaps to find if in this region the use still per-
sists. I have been unable to find any instance of
the use in Bengal.
28. My information on these points has been
derived from enquiries, and does not result from
direct personal observation, so far as excessive con-
sumption is concerned; it therefore partakes of the
nature of hearsay evidence, and is not admissible.
Habitual moderate consumption of bhang may,
I think, be put down at 1½ tolas per diem. Of
ganja, at from 30 to 60 grains per diem. Of
charas, I cannot state even an opinion.
Excessive consumption, as I interpret the word
'excessive' (my Report, page 69), is unusual.
29. My knowledge of this part of the subject
is derived from information obtained by direct
enquiry, and is not therefore of the nature of
directly hearsay evidence. It is contained in my
report.
Dhatura and opium are given to increase the
known narcotic effect of hemp.
Nux-vomica and cantharides are given to in-
crease the supposed aphrodisiac property of hemp.
Betel-nut (aniseed, pepper, and the other in-
gredients of a simple bhang massala are used for
the same purpose) is given to counteract the
effects arising from the indigestible nature of the
substance when taken internally.
30. (a) I have not given attention to this
point, but I have seen so few cases of excessive
use of the drugs that its importance did not
occur to me. So far as moderate use of ganja is
concerned, the point is of no importance; the
substance is smoked when required, whether
the smoker be alone or in company. The moder-
ate use of bhang is essentially a "social" act.
(b) The use of ganja is confined, I am told,
mainly to the male sex, and is fairly general
among grown men. The use of bhang is so much
concealed, even when the use is moderate, that I
cannot give an opinion as to whether it is used
by women in Bengal.
(c) It is not usual for children to smoke ganja
or drink bhang, or even to eat majum.
31. (a) Apparently so.
(b) Apparently not.
(c) I believe that there is a tendency in the
case of the use of bhang for the moderate
habit to develop into the excessive; but that
in the case of the use of ganja this tendency
hardly exists.
32. My information on this point has been
derived from friends of my own among the native
gentlemen of Bengal, so that it is inadmissible
as evidence.
36. My information here has also been derived
from native friends, and is again inadmissible
as evidence. It is contained in my Report already
referred to.
37. The effects of charas smoking do not
differ from those of smoking ganja. The differ-
ences stated by many native authorities are
imaginary. I mention this particularly, because
it has become so much the habit to state these
that some of my native friends, very intelligent
men too, having been predisposed by what they
have heard, actually think they have seen what
they expected to see. Nor does bhang really
produce 'different' effects from the other two
forms of the narcotic; the same effects, excite-
ment and narcosis, are in each case produced; in
the case of charas and ganja (smoked), these
occur more rapidly and pass off more quickly
than in the case of bhang (drunk).
39. Yes; smoking ganja does not tend to de-
velop into a habit of excess. It does not impair
the digestive powers so much, if indeed it does
so at all.
I have not met with a single case in my own
practice or experience where the use by either
habit of any hemp preparation has produced in-
sanity. I have, however, to point out that it is
now some years since I have come in contact
with medical cases, and that my medical work
in India has been entirely with a military, and
never with a civil population.
40. (a) I do not know.
(b) I do not know. I have seen the fresh hemp