CH. XI.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 217
of which have been spent in civil employ, stated that in the habitual moderate
smoker bronchitis is frequent. Cross-examined as to the basis of his observation of
the general effects induced by the drugs, he stated: "I have known the moderate
use in cases of sepoys and one private servant
Besides the above direct ob-
servations, I have derived general impressions
My general impression is based
upon the fact that persons alleged to have been ganja smokers have presented these
characteristics, but I have not specially inquired into the truth of the allegation
that they were ganja smokers. They were pointed out as notorious ganja smokers.
I did not discriminate in these cases between the moderate and excessive use
because I was not called upon to do so." Surgeon-Major O'Hara (witness
No. 93) stated that apparently no ill effects are caused, and that he has no inform-
ation regarding specific affections alleged to be induced by the drugs. Sur-
geon-Major Sturmer (witness No. 99), of nearly nineteen years' service, said
regarding effects of moderate use: "In time, I believe, it leads to mental and
moral degradation." Cross-examined as to the basis of his information, the wit-
ness said: "I have never been into the question of ganja. I have never seen it
scarcely. My first sentence (the one quoted above) is based on what a ganja
smoker said. He said: 'It is a bad thing. I should like to leave it off, but
I cannot.' I have really no experience as to the effects of either moderate or
excessive use." Surgeon-Major W. F. Thomas (witness No. 96), of fifteen years'
service, only three of which have been passed in civil employ, stated that users of
the drugs suffer from dysentery, bronchitis, and asthma. On cross-examination the
witness said: "I had to treat three cases of ganja poisoning. These men
drank liquor and indulged in ganja. In all these cases there was congestion of
the lungs present
These are the only three cases in which the evil effects
of the drug have come directly under my notice. The symptoms in all three
cases were the same, and for that reason I concluded the pulmonary affection to
be the result of the drug. I have learnt from enquiry from medical subordinates
and people in villages that dysentery, bronchitis, and asthma result from the
drug. I have no personal experience on the point." Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel
Hyde (witness No. 86) stated that, so far as he knew, no ill effects were caused.
Surgeon-Major Lancaster (witness No. 90), twenty years' service, nineteen of which
have been passed in civil employ, in his oral examination said: "I have had
no opportunity of noticing the effects of the moderate use of hemp drugs; they
have not come before me." Surgeon-Major Pemberton (witness No. 98), of fifteen
years' service, and in civil employ continuously since 1885, stated that evil effects
are induced, but asthma is relieved, and bronchitis and dysentery are not caused.
Surgeon-Major N. Chattarji (witness No. 88), of nearly seventeen years' service,
nearly all in military employ, stated: "It does not produce any particular disease
except a peculiar cough, the result of a kind of chronic bronchial catarrh." On
cross-examination the witness said: "I cannot in the case of any sepoy attribute
thinness or cough to ganja, for I cannot be certain. I have no proof
What I have said in my written answer about thinness and cough is my
impression; but I could not assert it about any particular case." Civil Apothecary
A. Wells (witness No. 105) has about nine years' service. He stated that bronchitis,
asthma, and dysentery are not caused by the drugs, but relieved by them. Dr. K. J.
Naidu (witness No. 106) stated that no ill effects are caused. Surgeon-Captain
C. Fearnside (witness No. 97) considers that the drugs "impair the constitution,
causing weakness of the limbs and other tissues, and hence the drug has
55