137
In the other case, there was great violence and
delirium, which was followed by great depression,
and finally the man became paralysed, as far as
I remember. Acute mania was the prominent
symptom in both cases. I have not seen acute
mania from the effects of dhatura, but am not pre- -
pared to say that it does not result. There is a
variety of acute mania called transient mania.
Ganja-smoking may be a cause of such mania;
but it is not necessarily connected with toxic sub-
-
stances, such as ganja and dhatura. I could not
diagnose the transient mania that results from
toxic causes from that due to other causes. I
have never examined a brain of a ganja insane,
nor have I read that any lessons are to be found
in such cases. I should accept Dr. Warden's state- -
ment that they have not been discovered. The
ultimate paralysis in one of the cases was not, I
believe, due to ganja, and was not consistent with
the ganja theory ; but the other symptoms he had
may have been caused by ganja. The diagnosis
of a case of ganja insanity depends almost entire- -
ly on previous history. The suddenness of onset
and other symptoms afford little guide to diagnos- -
is. The diagnosis is practically one "by exclu-
-
sion." In attributing the insanity in these cases
to ganja, I cannot say that I am satisfied that I
excluded all other causes, The diagnosis in the
two cases rested on statements made by the
friends. I had no experience at that time of the
moderate use of the drugs. The only cases I saw
were those described. Since 1876 to 1877 I have
seen no cases of insanity arising from ganja--
smoking or the use of the hemp drugs in any
form. These last twelve years I have been in civil
surgeoncies for three years, and for nine years in
charge of the Gokaldass Hospital. This hospital
does not admit insanity cases. If we suspect
insanity, the patient is handed over to the police,
who make arrangements for disposing of him.
The man who ran amuck did not come to hospital,
and the case was not under my observation. He
shot himself. I cannot say exactly whether the
man was intoxicated or insane; but it was ganja
which upset him. I cannot say whether it is
possible to differentiate between intoxication and
insanity caused by the hemp drugs, except in the
matter of duration of the attack. This attack
lasted, as far as I know, only a few minutes. I
know nothing of the man's state before he ran
amuck except that he smoked ganja.
67. Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR H. W. B . BOYD, Superintend nt, Colaba Lunatic
Asylum, Bombay.
1. About seventeen years' service in India,
during which I served three and a half years with
regiments, seven years as Civil Surgeon and Super
-
intendent of a Jail, and about three and a half
years as Superintendent, Colaba Lunatic Asylum.
2. Yes ; they are locally known as (a) ganja,
(b) charas, and (c) bhang.
19. Ganja and charas are both used for smok--
ing. Ganja is also used in the treatment of cattle
for diseases of the digestive system, and ganja
mixed with tobacco is used as an application to
local inflammations.
23. Bhang is never used for smoking.
28. (a ) About 4 tolas, cost about 4 annas.
(b) Up to 12 tolas, cost 1 rupee.
The above refers to the use of ganja and charas
used in smoking. As regards bhang, moderate
consumers, about 2 annas worth per diem, and
excessive consumers, 8 annas per diem, No exact
weight can be mentioned, as bhang is given in
solution with sugar and bhang massala. About
1 tola full for moderate, and 3 tolas for exces- -
sive consumers.
29. (a) Ordinarily tobacco (country) is mixed
with ganja as well as with charas.
(b) Dhatura is used sometimes with ganja to
increase its intoxicant effects.
Bhang massala contains bhang ¼ seer, sugar 1
seer, massala (consisting of almonds 2 tolas, pista
-
chio nuts 2 tolas, poppy seeds 1 tole, aniseed ½ tola,
c a r da moms 1/ 20 of a t ol a , r os e pe t a l s ( f r e s h) 1 t ol a ,
c ha r ol e e 1 t ol a , pl ums or r a i s i ns 1½ t ol a , bl a c k
pepper ¼ t ol a) , wat er , col d, 24 ounces.
30. Bhang is chiefly used in company ; ganja
and charas are also used in company. These
drugs are also consumed in solitude, but to a
limited extent.
The use of these drugs is mainly confined to
male sex ; although it is also used to considerable
extent among the lower class of females, such as
Chamars and Dheds. It is not usual to give
these drugs to children, but in exceptional cases
bhang is used in the form of bala golee, viz., pills
mixed with aromatics, for colic in infants, and also
as a sedative in restlessness of new-born infants.
31, The habit is easily formed, and easily left
off. This refers only to the use of drinking bhang.
The smoking of ganja and charas, however, is said
to be difficult to leave off. There is a tendency to
increase the drug.
32. Smoking ganja and charas is prevalent in
social meetings of a friendly nature. Bhang is
very seldom used as a drink in religious ceremo- -
nies, though it is used considerably on holidays as
Dewali, Dussera, and pleasure parties.
36. Ganja, charas and bhang are preferred to
alcohol, as they are cheaper, and it does not appear
that alcohol is substituted in their stead.
37. Charas is a stronger preparation than ganja,
and the intoxication produced thereby is more
lasting in its effects. The intoxication resulting
from the use of ganja-smoking lasts usually for
about a couple of hours. The intoxication pro-
-
duced by bhang results in a condition of hilarity
and hallucinations of a pleasurable nature, and
during this condition the appetite is enormously
increased.
39. Smoking ganja and charas appears to be
more injurious than the drinking of bhang, be
-
cause drinking is indulged in to a limited extent,
while smoking the drug is indulged in to a larger
extent.
40. Ganja is commonly used as a medicine in
-
ternally in digestive disorders affecting cattle.
It is used by native practitioners, hakims, etc., as
follows :—Juice of fresh leaves are used to the
head as a parasiticide ; it allays pain when dropped
into the ear ; also used as an astringent in
diarrhœa, and as a diuretic and to check gonor
-
thœal discharges. The powdered dry leaves are
used as an application to ulcers to promote granu
-
lations ; also used locally to check inflammations
as erysipelas and as an anodyne to local neuralgias.
Vol. vii
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