402
46, 47 and 48. Do not know.
49. I have heard of its being used for such
purposes, but do not know of any special cases.
The rest of the questions I am unable to give an
opinion.
50. Do not know.
57. My experience is limited on this question,
and the only cases that I can recall now are those
which I saw occurring at festivals, where some of
the men both eat and drink ganja to an excess
which subsequently acts on their constitutions and
produces evil results.
45, Evidence of ASSISTANT SURGEON O. L. MOONSHI, Civil Surgeon and Superin-
tendent of Jail, Maubin, Thongwa District.
1. As the ganja is not much consumed by the
people of Lower Burma, my experience on the
subject is limited. The information furnished in
the accompanying answers is chiefly based on ex-
perience of the usage of the drug amongst the
people of Lower Bengal.
2. The definititions given by Dr. Prain of the
three narcotic articles obtained from hemp plant in
India cannot be accepted for this province, inas-
much as, except the ganja, charas and siddhi are
seldom used by Burmese. Ganja is locally known
as " saykyouk " or dry tobacco.
19. Ganja is used only for smoking.
23. Unable to give any information on this sub-
ject.
28. Unable to give any information on this
subject, as I have seldom come across habitual
or excessive consumers of ganja amongst the
Burmese,
29. In India siddhi or bhang is ordinarily mixed
with coriander and. cardamom to give it flavour, and
exceptionally with sugar to add to its intoxicating
effects. Dhatura is ordinarily mixed with ganja
by thugs or highway robbers, and administered to
their victims with a view of inducing temporary
unconsciousness so as to facilitate their object of
plunder.
No; I do not know of bhang mussala.
30. The consumption of these drugs mostly
practised in company, and. chiefly confined to male
adults. The female sex occasionally partake of
bhang ; children seldom consuming any of these
drugs.
31. Yes ; the habit is easily formed and difficult
to break off, as in the case of any other narcotic
drug, e.g ., opium, alcohol, etc. There is always a
tendency in ganja also to lead from moderation to
excess in its use.
32. I am not aware of any amongst the
Burmese, but amongst Hindus siddhi is used on
the fourth day of the greatest Hindu festival called
Bijaya, and the custom is regarded as essential.
It is always temperate, and not likely to lead to
the formation of the habit or otherwise injurious.
36. I do not think that alcohol is now to any
extent being substituted for any of the drugs, nor
do I think it ever will, for alcohol is dear, ganja
cheap. Half an anna worth ganja will produce
intoxication in a beginner, whereas half an anna
worth alcohol will fail to produce that effect.
37. The only difference in the effects of the use
of these drugs is one of degree : ganja producing
the strongest effects, and siddhi the least.
39. Instead of smoking ganja or charas being
less injurious than drinking or eating the same,
I am inclined to think that it is more so, for obvi-
ous physiological reasons which it is unnecessary to
discuss here.
40. Except bhang, which is prescribed by native
doctors as a vehicle in cases of diarrhœa, I am not
aware of any other preparation of the drug being
used medicinally by them. Ganja is sometimes
used externally for scabies, boiled in oil.
41. Yes ; moderate use especially of bhang acts
as an appetiser, alleviates fatigue, and probably to
some extent retards the wear and tear of tissues,
consequent on severe bodily exertion or exposure.
I am not aware of its anti-malarial effects, but I
would quote an instance from my memory, where
three persons were bitten by a mad dog and of
these three one was an inveterate ganja smoker.
This man escaped hydrophobia, whereas the two
others succumbed to it. By this I don't imply
that it is the specific for the cure of the malady.
I have had no opportunity of giving it a trial.
42. I do consider that the moderate use of bhang
to those accustomed to it for any length of time
is not only harmless but beneficial. Sudden cutting
off of the supply to those will be necessarily
followed by symptoms of dyspepsia and lethargy
in works.
44. The immediate effect is a sense of relaxation
of the whole system, followed by intoxication.
Like tobacco, it is refreshing after undue exertion.
It both allays hunger and creates appetite. The
effects generally last from one to two hours, and it
is succeeded by a craving for more. When the
first effects pass off, like alcohol, it has its after-
effects too, but less in degree ; and want of subse-
quent gratification is attended with longing for
more and general lassitude, aches and pains.
45. (a) I have known habitual moderate con-
sumers of these drugs to enjoy robust health,
possess sound intellectual powers and of unimpeach-
able morals.
(b ) and (c) No.
(d) No ; on the contrary, asthmatic people often
resort to it, to allay their sufferings. Immoderate
use causes gastro-intestinal irritation.
(e) No.
(f ) No ; on the contrary, I have known of
moderate consumers of hemp possessing brilliant
intellectual powers. Some of the rishis and jogis
could be cited in support of the above assertion.
I have known sanyasis (those who have cut them-
selves off from all socialities and turned devotees
for life) well versed in Sanskrit and proficient in
the knowledge of the four Vedhas, at the same time
addicted to the use of this drug. All the cases of
insanity that have come under my observation in
Burma, in none have I been able to trace its
cause to abuse of hemp. I have seen some cases of
insanity amongst the natives of India brought on by
abuse of this drug, and I must confess that in one
and all no predisposing influence to the disease
could be traced. The malady was solely due to the
baneful effect of its immoderate use. It generally
produces symptoms of violent mania. I have
known cases to recover after the drug has been
stopped and proper treatment applied. In some