220 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. XI.
any of these cases, because I did not attach sufficient importance to the state-
ments made to me, and was not sure that they were correct." This evidence, reject-
ed at the time, is the only basis of the opinion now expressed. Surgeon-Major-
General Turnbull (witness No. 63), of 33 years' service, Surgeon-General with
the Government of Bombay, stated: "I have no personal experience of the
effects of the hemp drugs on the people." Surgeon-Major D. C. Davidson
(witness No. 71) stated: "So far as I can learn, the moderate use of ganja in
smoking does not appear to be either physically or mentally injurious, gene-
rally speaking."
Eleven officers belonging to the assistant surgeon and qualified private prac-
titioner class were examined. Witness No. 76 stated: "I think it does not cause
dysentery, bronchitis, or asthma." Witness No. 90 stated: "It does produce
dry cough eventuating in bronchitis or asthma, but it does not seem to produce
dysentery, so far as my experience goes." Witness No. 91 gives a negative reply
to ill effects being caused by moderate use. Witness No. 79 stated: "I have
not noticed any other disease to result from occasional or moderate use of ganja
or bhang in any form." The disease referred to was general atrophy, and death
from the use of majum. Witness No. 77 stated that no ill effects are produced.
Witness No. 78 stated that he has had no opportunity for observing effects.
Witness No. 82 stated that injurious effects are produced. "It is a popular belief
amongst the ganja smokers that a long-continued habit produces diarrhœa and
dysentery, unless these evils are counteracted by an abundant supply of wholesome
food, with especially a liberal allowance of ghee and other oleaginous materials.
My experience supports the above made statement." Witness No. 80 stated that
no ill effects are produced. Witness No. 81 stated that the use does not cause
bronchitis or dysentery. Witness No. 97 stated: "It causes dysentery and other
derangements of the bowels;" but the witness fails to discriminate between the
effects of the moderate and excessive use. Ismail Jan Mahomed, L.M.S.,
(witness No. 96), stated: "Many cases of chronic diarrhœa and dysentery, as
well as chronic bronchitis and asthma, are seen in those who use ganja." The
witness, however, does not answer the question dealing with results of excessive
use, and does not discriminate between the two uses of the drug.
Seven witnesses of the hospital assistant class were examined. Witness
No. 83, of nearly 30 years' standing, stated: "I have not sufficient information to
answer this question." Witness No. 84 does not discriminate between the moder-
ate and excessive use of the drugs. Witness No. 85 stated: "I do not think that
habitual moderate use of any of these drugs produces any noxious effects."
Hospital Assistant Sudashio Waman (No. 86), of twelve years' service, stated that
the habitual moderate use of the drug in certain constitutions produces noxious
effects, causes bronchitis and asthma, but not dysentery. On cross-examination
the witness stated: "The constitutions affected injuriously by the moderate use
of hemp drugs are nervous and weak constitutions. In small quantities the drugs
would do no harm to a healthy person." Witness No. 87 stated that ganja
causes bronchitis and occasionally asthma. Witness No. 88 stated that no ill
effects are caused. Hospital Assistant Purson Singh (witness No. 89) has had
nearly 25 years' service in the Medical Department. He stated: "It causes
chronic bronchitis and asthma, but cures dysentery."
Eight witnesses of the unqualified native practitioner class were examined.
Witness No. 111 is a druggist and chemist, and stated that no ill effects are