345
In conclusion, I beg to lay before the Commis-
sion the opinion of very eminent authors tran-
scribed separately and hereto attached,* and under
which I have added my own opinion as to the
injury both to body and mind by the use of
hemp.
From the experience which I had, and from the
* Not received by the Commission.
information I have gathered, as well as different
authors whom I have closely read, I may safely
say that the use of the drug herein discussed is
certainly very harmful, e.g ., ganja eventually
makes a smoker stammer and impotent, and bhang,
which is considered to be of a cooling property,
gives false appetite and eventually impairs diges-
tion and exhausts constitution.
28. Evidence of M. POONAMBALAM MOODELIAR, First Class Hospital Assistant,
Shegoon.
1. During my long service of twenty-five years,
I have had several opportunities of seeing cases
poisoned by hemp, and from my long experience, I
give the information asked for.
2. The names given by Dr. Prain to the hemp
plant, viz., ganja, charas and bhang, are the same
as we call them.
1 9 . Y e s ; g a n j a i s u s e d f o r s m o k i n g , a n d c h a r a s
is very rarely used. It is mostly consumed, but its
use by the people has different effects and actions
when it is used differently. In this country it is
used also in a very small proportion as medicines,
wholly among the lower classes of people, and very
rarely by the educated people : those who have very
little contact with the doctors, to apply as a paste
by mixing it to headache, etc., in order to stupefy
the painful surface.
23. Bhang is very seldom used, if at all used, by
lower class of people for drinking only.
28. (a) A tola, cost half an anna,
(b) Four tolas, cost two annas.
29. They add only tobacco to increase narcotic
properties. I am not aware that any of the drugs
shown are used for smoking. I have not heard nor
been told that bhang massala is sold in the bazar ;
but the consumers prepare by adding the following
ingredients, viz : — sugar, coriander, black pepper,
milk, cardamom, aniseed, rose buds, and almonds.
30. That the consumption of these three drugs
is more excessively used in company than in soli-
tude. The habit is mainly confined to the male
sex, and they give to the children in the form of
majum when they choose to give them.
31. The habit of these drugs is easily formed.
It is not difficult to break off. There is every ten-
dency for the moderate habit to develop into the
excessive.
32. There is no custom, either social or religious,
to consume these drugs. It is generally excessive,
and is likely to lead to formation of habit and in-
jurious.
36. There is no reason for thinking that alcohol
is being substituted to a certain extent for any of
these drugs.
37. The effect of charas smoking is stronger
than ganja smoking, and that bhang drinking, al-
though milder than the above, keeps its narcotic
properties for a longer time.
39. The smoking of hemp plant is not in any
way a less injurious form of consumption than
drinking or eating the
same. It produces dryness
of the mouth, thirst, cough, and weakens the con-
stitution.
40. It is very scarcely used.
41. The moderate use of bhang, charas and
ganja is in no way beneficial.
(a ) Not at all.
(b) Yes ; it gives staying-power under severe
exertion and to alleviate fatigue.
(c) Never prevents in malarious unhealthy
tracts.
(d) No.
42. Even moderate use of these drugs is injur-
ious, because it produces laziness, weakens the
constitution, and acts on the generative system,
and makes the man at last impotent.
44. It acts immediately when smoked as a sti-
mulant and narcotic. It is not refreshing and
produces intoxication. It does not allay hunger
and create appetite. The effect lasts about four
hours in smoking. In drinking and eating, the
action lasts for about twelve hours. It brings on
subsequent gratification and longing.
45. (a) Even moderate use of these drugs pro-
duces noxious effects on mental,
mo ral and physical
powers.
(b) No.
(c) Yes.
(d) Produces bronchitis.
(e) It induces laziness.
46. It makes the man, when habitually and ex-
cessively smoked, very weak, deadens intellect, pro-
. duces weakness, and shortens life.
47. No.
48. The habitual excessive use makes a man
poor, who never attends work, and loses whatever
he has ; and lastly, he robs in order to get the
drugs, and leaves his family and children to their
fate.
49. Gradually increases impotence, and it is not
much used by prostitutes. The use is more inju-
rious than ordinary narcotic. It makes the man
weak and dries the secreting organs, and thereby
produces impotence.
50. By excessive use of these drugs, makes the
man altogether impotent and quite unfit for any
work.
In conclusion, as far as my long experince goes,
I have to say that the use of these drugs is not at
all beneficial on the human frame. It affects the
physical, mental and moral powers, and prevents
the development of the manhood. When once the
man is addicted to this vice he loses all the wealth
and reputation, and lastly robs when he is penniless.
It makes a man very weak, and shortens life.
vol. vii.
3A