CHAPTER XI.
EFFECTS—PHYSICAL.
Medical evidence regarding dy-
sentery, bronchitis, and asthma.
499. In regard to these definite physical results, the only evidence to which
much weight can be attached is the evidence of the
medical witnesses. From their training and oppor-
tunities of observation they are the only witnesses
qualified to give reliable evidence. It is proposed to examine this medical evid-
ence in detail.
Bengal.
500. In Bengal eight commissioned medical officers were examined on the
effects of the moderate use of the drugs. Surgeon-
Lieutenant-Colonel Russell (witness No. 105), 20
years in civil employ in Bengal and Assam, a witness whose evidence has frequently
been quoted by the Commission, stated that the use of the drug does not cause
bronchitis, dysentery, or asthma, and that scarcely any other noxious effects are
induced. Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Russick Lall Dutt (witness No. 107), an
officer of over 20 years' experience, stated: "Very moderate smoking of ganja or
charas or moderate drinking of siddhi in infusion do not produce any appreciable
effects
but these moderate cases are seldom long-lived. There is in them
a slow and insidious undermining process going on in their digestive, respiratory,
and nervous systems, which predispose them to acute diseases and cut their lives
short." Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Price (witness No. 108), of 21 years' service,
who had frequently come across consumers of hemp drugs, was unable to answer
the question regarding effects. Surgeon-Captain Prain (witness No. 113) stated:
"I do not believe that the habitual moderate use of any of these drugs produces
any noxious effects—physical, mental, or moral. I think that perhaps the use
of bhang does injure the digestion and impair appetite even when used moderate-
ly, but I am convinced that it neither causes dysentery, bronchitis, or asthma."
Surgeon-Major Cobb (witness No. 110) stated that the drugs did not cause
asthma, bronchitis, or dysentery; and in cross-examination he stated: "I have
no experience that the excessive use of the drug produces dysentery and
bowel-complaints." Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Flood Murray (witness No.
102), five years in military service and nineteen years in civil employ, quoted the
opinion of a pandit whom he consulted regarding the ill effects of the drugs.
In cross-examination he stated: "The general statement as contained in my
written answer is a statement made to me by this hakim and others to whom I
applied for information. My own experience in no way corroborates it." "Sur-
geon-Lieutenant-Colonel Bovill (witness No. 109), of 21 years' service, stated that
the habitual moderate use of bhang does not produce any ill effects, and in many
cases that of ganja is equally harmless. He added: "I know of no case where it
has caused bronchitis, dysentery, or asthma, but I have noted hoarseness of the
voice probably due to some laryngeal irritation among ganja smokers." Surgeon-
Lieutenant-Colonel Crombie (witness No. 104), of over 20 years' service, is not
aware of any ill effects being produced by the moderate use of the drugs; but he
added: "If any were produced, the use would no longer be moderate, but exces-
sive:" In cross-examination Dr. Crombie stated: "I have had no experience of
any diseases attributable to ganja. My experience has been chiefly in Eastern
Bengal, where ganja is largely consumed."
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