172 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. X.
But there are certain admixtures which are taken with the hemp drugs, at
least ostensibly, with the express purpose of intensifying their effects. Thus
opium is sometimes smoked with ganja. This is probably sheer vice, a dissi-
pated desire to mix intoxicants. Cantharides and nux vomica are sometimes
used in bhang. The object of this is apparently to produce aphrodisiac effects.
But nux vomica is also perhaps used thus as a tonic. This drug is apparently
sometimes smoked, when its effect would be nullified. Arsenic is similarly
used in bhang, probably from a belief in its prophylactic and tonic properties.
It is also stated to be smoked with charas or ganja. In this form it would be
very poisonous, but the evidence seems to show that it is smoked ostentatiously
by jogis and fakirs; and probably it is not really inhaled. It is also sometimes
stated that aconite is occasionally smoked. All these admixtures, as well as
others of a more exceptional and extraordinary character, appear to be rarely
used. More common than any of them is dhatura. It is generally the seeds,
but occasionally the leaves, that are used. This drug is used by those debauchees
or other excessive consumers who either cannot afford sufficient ganja or bhang,
or who desire a stronger form of intoxication than either can supply. There is
also some little evidence of the occasional use by those who supply the drink of
an infusion of dhatura to strengthen bhang, perhaps sometimes without the
knowledge of the consumers. There is a good deal of evidence both generally
of the use of this drug by excessive consumers, and also in particular cases of the
gradual formation of the dhatura habit when ganja or bhang has failed to satisfy.
Dhatura is clearly more strongly intoxicant than the hemp drugs, and there can
be little doubt that the evidence which represents it as decidedly more injurious
may be accepted as in accordance with fact. There is a strong popular prejudice
against this drug, and it is not used by moderate smokers at all. It does not
seem likely that it would ever replace hemp drugs any more than it now sup-
plements them among moderate consumers, but only among persons who deliber-
ately desire intoxication and are indifferent in their choice of intoxicant. At the
same time the use of Hyoscyamns muticus (or "Hill bhang of the Western
frontier"), already referred to, does indicate the possibility of more general resort
to dhatura if ganja were not available. The active principle of this drug is
closely allied to that of dhatura in its physiological effects. There are also
many witnesses who believe that consumers of the hemp drugs (especially, but
not exclusively, excessive consumers) would take to dhatura if they could not
obtain the drugs to which they are accustomed, and this opinion is entitled to
considerable weight.
Dhatura.
457. Dhatura belongs to the same natural order as hyoscyamus and bella-
donna. The active principle of dhatura is hyoscya-
mine with small quantities of atropine and hyoscine:
the active principle of belladonna is atropine with some hyoscyaminc. These three
alkaloids are all closely allied in their physiological action. The action of atropine
has been fully studied. It is unnecessary, therefore, to say more of the physiological
action of dhatura. The leaves, and in even higher degree the seeds, form a very
powerful intoxicant; and the delirium which ensues from the use of the drug is
well known. The effects of dhatura as introduced into the system through
the stomach have hitherto chiefly received attention, but the effects of smoking
have also been observed. There have, however, been hitherto no physiological
experiments to ascertain the effects produced by the prolonged inhalation of