400
28. I have had no means of ascertaining this.
29. I understand that tobacco and betel-leaf are
mixed with ganja for smoking purposes. I have
no knowledge of the preparation (bhang massala).
30. The consumption of ganja is, I believe,
chiefly practised in solitude and principally by
males, but female prostitutes are addicted to the
habit.
31. I have so little experience that I am unable
to give any reliable information on these points
from personal observation.
32. I know of none.
36. I have no data on which to form an opinion
on this point. In this country, ganja is only used
by a few natives of India. The possession of the
drug is entirely prohibited, but that it is used is
proved by the fact that individuals are occasionally
detected with considerable quantities.
37. I have had no opportunity of comparing the
effects of these different preparations.
40. Not that I am aware of. I cannot say.
41. I have not had sufficient experience with
reference to the action of the drug to give any
reliable information on these points.
42. The above reply applies to this question also.
44. I have never had a habitual consumer of
ganja, under observation ; and cannot therefore reply
to these queries.
45. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes. In the few cases I have met with, the
subjects have been thin and anæmic. When the
habit is carried to excess, it appears to injure
digestion.
(d) I am not aware that it causes either dysen
- t e r y , b r o n c h i t i s o r a s t h m a .
(e) It certainly impairs the moral sense and
induces habits of laziness.
(f ) It perverts the intellect and produces in-
sanity. I have not had cases of toxic insanity from
this cause under treatment, and therefore am
unable to give an opinion as to whether the abuse
of the drug was the exciting or predisposing cause.
The form of insanity is chiefly maniacal.
46, 47 and 48. My want of personal experience
debars me from discussing these questions.
49. The drug has a reputation as an aphrodisiac
and is used by natives of India, who are prostitutes,
probably to stimulate the sexual appetite.
50. My knowledge of the effects of the drug is
too slender to enable me to do so.
56. My knowledge of the effects of the drug is
too slender to enable me to do so.
57. In the few cases I have met with, the drug
is chiefly employed for smoking.
In conclusion, the drug is entirely prohibited in
this province. I cannot recall an instance in my
own experience in which a Burman was addicted to
the use of hemp in any form. Want of experience
therefore precludes me from giving any useful
information regarding its uses and effects from
personal experience.
42. Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR G. T. TH OMAS, Civil Surgeon, Moulmein.
1. My experience of these drugs is very limited ;
they are not used at all in South India, where I
never saw any cases for eleven years ; and in Burma,
except from two or three Indian prisoners, I can
gather no information from persons who have used
these drugs. These drugs are obtained privately
by natives of India, but now it is practically not
known to the Burmese, who use opium, if. possible.
Charas in Burmese Sĕjao ăse.
Ganja=Sĕjao.
Bhang = Bhén
These two latter names seem to be used for
ganja or bhang.
19. Ganja is sometimes eaten with sugar and
milk, when bhang is not procurable ; ganja and
charas are usually smoked by the lower castes, four
or five times a day, 20 grains each time. Some-
times mixed with stramonium seeds.
23. No ; it is only eaten. In Central India and
North-Western Provinces, rarely in Madras, and not
now in Burma ; some have taken to opium, as
ganja is obtained with difficulty. Bhang is eaten
by Brahmins and better castes, one drachm daily to
four drachms.
29. Ordinarily, with sugar, milk, etc. ; betel
leaves, also, for taste. Exceptionally, nux-vomica,
which creates greater intoxication. Dhatura rarely,
as it dries up mouth and. tongue. Spices, sugar and milk.
30. Smoking in company; eaten in private;
chiefly confined to males. Prostitutes are the only
females who indulge in it. Children in Upper India
are given these drugs to induce sleep.
31. Easily formed. Difficult to break off volun-
tarily. There is a tendency for the moderate habit
to develop into the excessive.
32. Fakirs and hermits use these drugs largely,
but there are no religious customs or rules which
encourage the consumption of these drugs, but the
reverse.
36. Not to my knowledge.
37. No difference in effects.
39. All equally injurious in excess, and also in
excess tend to produce insanity.
40. Not to my knowledge. No.
44. (a) Improves appetite in small quantities.
(b) Yes, beneficial.
(c) Not useful as a febrifuge.
(d) Unknown, except to temporarily alleviate
pain (rheumatic, etc.).
42. Harmless in moderate doses, otherwise it
would hardly be used so extensively by various races
and castes in Upper India..
44. It is refreshing and causes pleasant sensations.
Intoxication, yes. They both allay hunger and
in small doses they create appetite. After-effects,
headache, if much is used.
45. (a) , (b) and (c) Not in moderate doses.
(d) No.
(e) Not in moderate doses.
( f ) Personally I have not known the use of these
drugs produce insanity permanently, but I have
not had charge of a lunatic asylum. I have only
met a few cases of temporary excitement from the
use of bhang.