167
in some eases, and produces insanity by smoking,
but in drinking or eating it would not produce
such harmful effects. It appears to me the pre-
disposing cause of insanity, as well as exciting.
It generally produces furious mania, dipsomania
in the young, who have contracted the habit since
a short duration and dementia affectata in aged,
and generally temporary. The symptoms be re-
induced generally by the use of the drug after
liberation from restraint. Generally the typical
symptoms are :—Ideas confused, incoherent, un-
fixed; unconnected talk, no recollection of time,
place, quantity, etc., and forget what is seen or
heard and told, manners silly, conversation inco-
herent.
Insanity, primary, never tends to indulgence of
these drugs ; but when the brain has been suffi-
ciently weakened by the habitual use of the drug,
intellect becoming deficient, the habit is more
and more indulged in, which does ultimately lead
to insanity. So the indulgence is primary, and
insanity is the secondary or sequence of it.
Not having kept the accurate notes of the cases
which would be worth while quoting, I regret I
cannot give an account of such cases except two,
since I took charge of this institution, both male
sex, whose insanity was due to my knowledge to
excessive indulgence in hemp drug smoking for
some time past.
NAMES. CASTE. RESIDENCE. OCCUPATION.
Bhimji Pepji Hindoo, Koli Mansa Labourer.
Naina Ghela Do. Maratha Do. Do.
46. Habitual excessive use of any of these
drugs would produce very noxious, physical,
mental or moral effects, and that within a very
short period of the indulgence, and the same
effects and injuries, etc., stated in the last ques-
tion within a very short period.
47. The habitual moderate use of the drug does
not appear to be hereditary habit, nor it affects the
children in any way.
48. The habitual excessive use of any of these
drugs does not appear also the hereditary habit.
I am not sure, but I conjecture that the children
of habitual excessive consumers should be weak in
body and perhaps in mind.
49. It is occasionally practised as an aphrodisiac
by the male sex specially ; and also it is seldom
used by prostitutes ; but I am informed that it is
given as a sweetmeat by prostitutes to their
paramours and vice versá. Yes ; I think the use
for this purpose is more injurious than the use of
ordinary narcotic, because there is more exhaustion
of the muscular power and nerve centres during
the act of sexual intercourse. Yes, it does tend
to produce partial impotence indirectly.
50. It is never practised as an aphrodisiac in
excessive use and nor used by prostitutes also, and
it is much more injurious than other narcotic, as
the consumer could not control on his body, the
nerve centres getting paralysed, intoxication, furi-
ously delirious and sometimes tingling and numb-
ness of the whole body, and in severe cases
general anæsthesia.. It would produce general im-
potence.
56. When it is used in the form of mixtures it
modifies more or less the effect. When mixed
with dhatura it soon brings on an extraordinary
intoxication within half au hour or so of a pecu-
liar character. With opium it brings on narco-
tism ; with nux vomica strong sexual excitement.
I have not heard of its being mixed with cantha-
rides or betel-nut. (b) When used in excess the
effects are very harmful. It is used for personal
consumption generally and occasionally for ad-
ministration to others, perhaps with some objects,
or to have excessive intoxication.
57. Ganja, charas are used in smoking so far
I know in this part of the country, but charas is
generally not in use this side.
In conclusion, in addition to what I have stated,
I am of the opinion to lay before the Commission
that those who indulged in the preparation of these
drugs have generally no honour, and no one will
like them or trust them in this part of the country,
and the habit of these drugs would lead a man to
commit serious consequences, as well as loss of
health, sometimes intellectual power, and ulti-
mately insanity. In my opinion the existence of
hemp drug or preparations of the drug stated, is
not at all advisable to use so generally and exces-
sively, as the consequences are very serious and dan-
gerous sometimes to human life from the state-
ment made, and I think there should be legal
restriction for it for the use of the public, except
boná fide use for medicine.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.— I studied in the Poona Medical
School and obtained Hospital Assistant's certi-
ficate. I have been in the service for twelve years.
I have never been attached to any asylum.
I have taken ghota or bhang. I was not accus-
tomed to it and took a large quantity for a begin-
ner. It made me intoxicated. I took about a
dram of powdered leaves with spices. I was under
the influence of the drug for twelve hours. It
made me refreshed and then stupid. After half an
hour I felt a feeling of new spirit or refreshment
and a tendency to talk. I felt giddy as I was
walking, so I returned home. I was not insen-
sible, but had a restless changing or confusion of
ideas. I took it from courtesy, as it was offered by
a friend who took it in the hot weather. I was
able to walk and answer questions. I ate food,
but not more than usual. I have no recollection
of any diuretic effect. Next day I felt exhausted
and slight headache. I took milk and tea and felt
better. I did not observe any pupils next day.
My vision was not affected, except that the lights
or lamps seemed more in number. I was nervous
and easily startled.
Question 39.—The "reasons " here stated are
not based on my experience in treating cases. The
whole statement is theory.
Question 45.—The constitutions affected injuri-
ously by the moderate use of hemp drugs are
nervous and weak constitutions. In small quanti-
ties the drugs would do no harm to a healthy
person.
When. I speak of the use of the drugs producing
insanity, I mean the excessive use. I refer mainly
to excessive smoking.
In the last seven months I have had the two
cases quoted at the end of this answer. I have no
record, however, to show how long they have been
suffering. But I have seen them within the last
two or three months. They are still in Mansa—one
in the district, and one in the town. 1 have no
notes except the out-door tickets on which I have
entered the disease and treatment. I can give the
history of no other case.
Bhimji Pepji was brought to me by some rela-
tions in a violent state one day, about three
months ago. He was about 23 years old. I had.
never seen him before. The relatives gave me the
history of smoking ganja for the last three or