274
ing in its effect than bhang, and charas more so
than ganja.
39. As the stronger products of hemp are
smoked, smoking would seem to be the more in-
jurious form of consumption. Of the effect of
either towards producing insanity I am not in a
position to give an opinion. I believe the effect
of drinking or smoking in a person unaccustomed
to it would be intoxication merging into frenzy.
40.
Hakims have long been in the habit of
prescribing it for tetanus both in man and cattle.
It was also in use, as stated before, as an anti-
spasmodic, also externally as an anodyne.
41. I do not think so. Those who are in the
habit of using them put forward the plea that
they increase the appetite, give staying-power
under severe exertion or exposure and alleviate
fatigue. They do not act beneficially in any way,
not even as a febrifuge or antiperiodic.
42. I consider the use of hemp cannot be said
to be harmless. The intoxication produced by it
in beginners may be of so violent a character as
to lead the person under its influence to the perpe--
tration of acts of crime.
44. It is said to be refreshing and does not pro
- d u c e i n t o x i c a t i o n . I t i s s a i d t o a l l a y h u n g e r a n d
to create appetite. The effect is only transient.
There are no after-effects. Yes.
45.
(
a ) Not perceptibly, but the tendency is
towards an impairment of these faculties.
( b) and (c) Not perceptibly.
(d) N o .
(e) Yes; it does induce to laziness and habits
of immorality.
( f) As a cause of permanent insanity I am
not prepared to express any opinion as I have not
seen any cases. I have met with a few cases of
frenzy induced by it, which might be classed
under temporary insanity, but the symptoms passed
off after prolonged sleep induced by medicines.
The latter is more probable.
My opinion is that the habit of using hemp
preparations is to be reprobated, as it is not bene-
ficial in any way. On the other hand the first
use of hemp is often accompanied by deeds of vio-
lence and those long addicted to it suffer from im-
pairment of the physical, mental and moral
powers, and evidence is to be found of its being a
potent cause of permanent insanity.
46. Habitual excessive use may impair the
moral sense and lead to insanity.
47. Not perceptibly.
48. The offspring of the habitual excessive con--
sumer might be weak-minded or idiotic.
49. I believe it is by males. I am not aware
that prostitutes use it. Used for sexual purpose,
the habit would be more injurious. Impotence
might result from it.
50. As an aphrodisiac the excessive use of
these drugs would not be resorted to ordinarily.
56. Not used in the form of an admixture in
Sind, nor do I think it is a common practice any--
where. Dhatura, for the commission of theft, is
sometimes mixed with hemp to ensure a victim
being rendered unconscious, and opium is some-
times taken with it as an aphrodisiac, but I have
never heard of its being mixed with nux vomica,
betel-nut or cantharides. Nux vomica may enter
the bhang drink of the regular moderate consumer
on account of its tonic properties.
57. They are not eaten or drunk in Sind nor
have I any knowledge of their effect when eaten
or drunk. I should suppose the effects would be
much greater, these preparations being more
active and powerful than those of bhang.
19. Evidence of Assistant Surgeon, G. M. DIXON, Medical Officer and Superin-
tendent, Nara Jail.
1. I have been in Sind in charge of this jail for
upwards of two years, and during this period,
while the jail was in the outlying district of Thar
and Parkar and Khadi in Shah Bunder subdivi-
sion, Karachi, I have come in contact with many
cultivators and free labourers who use bhang (one
of the products of the Indian hemp plants) in
moderate doses. After the receipt of an intima-
tion from the Assistant Commissioner in Sind
selecting me a medical witness to give evidence
before the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, I have
tried to obtain information regarding these drugs
from some of my subordinates and some of the
town population. I have also received some in-
formation from some prisoners who have been trans-
ferred to this jail from Karachi, Shikarpur, and
Hyderabad districts. Such being the case, the
information applies mainly to the desert districts
of Sind. Besides Sind, I have been in other parts
of the Bombay presidency, viz., some parts of the
Deccan, Conkan, and North Canara, and I have
therefore added any information I possess regarding
these parts of the presidency.
2. Subzi is the term used by a majority of
people for the first product. The lower orders
call it bhang. The high class detest to call it
bhang, because bhang consumers are called bhangis,
and a bhangi also means a sweeper.
Ganja.— All the varieties appear to be sold under
one name, ganja.
Charas is the resin which forms the active
principle of the plant.
19. Ganja and charas are, as a rule, used for
smoking only. It is said that ganja and charas
are eaten by a sect of religious mendicants called
Aghorees or Aghorpanthees and Nangas. Vide
answer 57.
23. Not known.
28. The question of deciding as to what is the
average daily allowance per head is a very difficult
one to decide, because these drugs are consumed,
as a rule, in company, so that at times it appears
to so happen that one individual consumes more
than another, besides a good deal depends upon
modes of living and the temperament of the con-
sumers. For example, a person who is able to
provide himself with a good supply of saccharine
and fatty food will consume larger quantity than
those who are not so favourably placed. From
the enquiries 1 have made the following tables
have been framed, showing the approximate daily
allowance per head. The cost is said to vary in
different districts. For instance, in Umurkote,
Khipro and Sanghar talukas of Thar Parkar dis
- t r i c t s s u b z i s e l l s a t 2 s e e r s ( 4 l b s . ) p e r r u p e e ,