564
and asthma. It impairs moral sense, and creates
tendency to laziness and for debauchery, as the
tendency of the mind is after the doses. Its
effect helps the mind towards that direction to
which it is turned. Yes. Insanity has always
appeared as from the effect of smoking. The
insanity from ganja is milder, and sometimes
temporary and sometimes permanent in some
cases. Melancholia as well of a violent type; in
some cases permanent and in some cases temporary.
Yes; it may re-induce. Yes, they sometimes
confess. In case of brain disease or mental anxiety
it does not give any relief. Yes, it produces insanity
in a person who is naturally of weakened intellect.
There are few men still in a state of insanity under
the influence of ganja smoking, and they seem to be
permanent and harmless.
46. Those who use the drug excessively and
habitually, it may sometime in some cases pro-
duce insanity, other sickness, and poverty.
47. It is not an hereditary complication, and
does not affect the children of moderate con-
sumers.
48. The same as above.
49. So the taker of drugs says that it gives
pleasure (aphrodisiac). Yes; used by prostitutes.
Yes; more injurious if it is taken always for the
purpose than the ordinary narcotics. Yes, causes
impotence by over use of the organ under the
influence of the drug.
50. Excessive use rather produces the effect
more rapidly.
56. Their effects depend on the quantity of drug
used according to the choice of the taker to make
it milder or stronger. Dhatura, quarter of a grain
is sometimes used to induce intoxication, but nux-
vomica, cantharides, opium, or betel-nut are never
used as admixture for personal or other consump-
tion.
57. Ganja for the purpose of medicine only is
known to be eaten, but not for pleasure's sake.
In conclusion, the people generally contract the
habit of smoking ganja and bhang generally in the
following circumstances:—The people who suffer
from any colic pain, to be relieved from it as a
temporary measure under the influence of the
drug; the professional singers to make their voices
sweeter; the sanyasis and jogis to set their minds
firmly in worshipping and praying; and persons
of loose character addicted to sexual pleasure, as
the effect of the drug is said to cause retention.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.—I passed through the Hospital
Assistant Class in the Calcutta Medical College
in 1871, and immediately entered the Govern-
ment service in Assam, and have served here
ever since. I have had no experience of insanity
nor have I ever treated an insane. In Dhubri
and Shillong I was Assistant Medical Officer and
in charge of the lock-ups for eight or nine years
altogether. My written answers are based on en-
quiries made after I received the Commission's
questions, and not on my own experience. I had
no previous knowledge of the subject. It is of no
use my making any statement, because I have
no experience of the effects of ganja, and in fact
know nothing about it.
28. Evidence of LATCHMAN PERSHAD, Kayasth, Hospital Assistant, Manipur
State.
1. Personal knowledge.
2. Charas, ganja, and bhang or siddhi. Yes;
the same.
3. Rajshahi, Ghazipur, Sultanpur, and Gwalior
State.
4. Same names. Yes.
5. Unknown.
6. Both.
7. It grows of itself.
11. Wild seeds.
12. I do not know.
14. None.
16. Yes.
17. Specially by religious mendicants and their
disciples, as also by the middle and lower classes
of the people.
18. Yes, they deteriorate and lose their effect in
time, they last for two or three years. Exposure
to wet causes deterioration. Precautions are to
have it well dried up in sun and every precaution
taken to avoid exposure to cold, and looked after
each rain, and have it dried up again.
19. Yes.
20. Generally by the working classes of the
people in Bengal, North-Western Provinces, and
Assam, and more or less by the same classes of the
people all over the country.
21. All kinds are generally used.
22. Foreign. From Hindustan.
23. Only used for drinking. Mixing with
sugar, milk, and black pepper by the general
public, except people of superior station in life.
24. Amongst the higher classes of Marwaris.
25. Increases.
26. (a) 20 per cent.
(b) 3 per cent.
(c) 1 per cent.
(d) 1 per cent.
27. Mostly labouring classes and religious men-
dicants are the regular consumers of these drugs.
28. (a) One anna or below.
(b) Two annas or so.
29. Used with milk, sugar, black pepper, dried
cucumber seed, and sometimes raisins to give
delicious taste. Dhatura is very scarcely used.
It produces more intoxication.
30. Generally in company. Mainly confined
to male sex by the grown up and healthy people.
Not used by children to my knowledge.
30. (a) One easily gets addicted to these drugs
by frequenting the company of consumers.
(b) Yes.
(c) Like all other intoxicating drugs, it is
likely. Very rare.
32. On religious festivities it is necessary to
dedicate such drugs to the idols; for instance,
Sivaratri, Sri Panchami, and such other festivities,
Temperate.