CH. XI.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 207
produced by the continual inhalation of its fumes, giving rise to sore-throat, bron-
chitis, and carbonaceous phthisis
It has long been a tradition in our
country that the ganja-khors always die of dysentery, their intestines gradually
sloughing away." In his second paper the witness states: "Ganja smokers gen-
erally die of bloody dysentery, asthma and phthisis, and hæmoptysis." And in his
last paper he says: "It produces bloody dysentery and chest diseases, blood-
spitting, bronchitis, asthma, and phthisis." Kailas Chundra Bose, L.M.S. (witness
No. 135), is a private medical practitioner in Calcutta with an extensive practice.
He states that no ill effects are produced by the moderate use, and that, instead of
causing bronchitis, dysentery, or asthma, it relieves these affections. The witness,
however, states in his oral examination: "My experience is not to any large extent
what I hav e gathered in my practice, but rather what I have learnt from smokers."
Assistant Surgeon Akbar Khan (witness No. 124) is another Teacher in the Patna
Medical School. He states the habitual moderate use of any of the drugs does not
produce noxious effects, but that charas and ganja cause dysentery, bronchitis, and
asthma if the consumers are not well fed. Witnesses Nos. 126 and 138 consider
that no ill effects are produced. Assistant Surgeon Upendra Nath Sen (witness
No. 118) states that bronchitis and asthma are common complaints of ganja smok-
ers. Madhab Krishna Dass, L.M.S. (witness No. 158), a private practitioner in
Calcutta, considers that smoking may cause dysentery, bronchitis, or asthma. As-
sistant Surgeon Durga Nath Chakravarti (witness No. 150) considers that "ganja
causes dysentery after a long run." Annoda Prasanna Ghatak, M.B. (witness No.
148), a private medical practitioner, considers that digestive complaints are caused
when good food is not procurable. Rakhal Das Ghosh, L.M.S. (witness No. 149),
a private practitioner in Calcutta, had apparently seen no ill effects caused by the
drug. The remaining witnesses in this class clearly failed to discriminate between
the moderate and excessive use, and their evidence has not been considered.
Three hospital assistants were examined. One gave no reply regarding
moderate use. The other stated: "The habitual moderate use of ganja or charas
does not produce any noxious effects-physical, mental, or moral; but the use of
ganja impairs the constitution in some way or other
and has a tendency
towards bronchitis and asthma." Witness No. 145 is a vernacular class hospital
assistant, but not now in Government employ. According to this witness, moderate
use of ganja leads to excessive use. "The habitual moderate consumers, as
well as the excessive consumers, suffer in their lungs and become insane
No
intoxicant can be taken in moderation except when administered medicinally."
Fifteen native practitioners were examined. Bijoya Ratna Sen (witness No.
151), a kabiraj practising in Calcutta, considers that the habitual moderate use of
ganja or charas, but not siddhi, may in some cases cause bronchitis, dysentery, or
asthma. Witness No. 152, also of Calcutta, gives the same reply couched in
the same language. Witness No. 126, of Nattore, in the Rajshahi district, and
witness No. 153, of Calcutta, both consider the moderate use harmless. Piyari
Mohan (witness No. 154), a kabiraj, states: "I know it causes dysentery, and I be-
lieve owing to its heating power it can cause bronchitis and asthma." Kedares-
war Acharjya (witness No. 137) remarks: "Those ganja smokers who cannot com-
mand abundant wholesome food suffer from dysentery, but it is difficult to deter-
mine how far it is due to ganja or to improper food. As to asthma, I have not seen
any typical case originating from ganja smoking. I know that a chronic catarrhal
condition of the air passages with a certain amount of spasm is the misfortune of