CH. XI.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 213
nourishing food seldom suffer from any ill effects. Witness No. III stated that the
habitual use of ganja or charas does not cause bronchitis, asthma, or dysentery,
but cures these diseases. Witness No. 106 gave no information of effects induced
by the excessive use; with regard to the moderate use, he stated the effects are
"not much marked," and that bronchitis and asthma might be caused after long
use. Nobin Chandra Mitter (witness No. 148) is a retired assistant surgeon. He
stated that during a period extending over thirty years he has treated thousands
of persons habitually addicted to the use of the drugs, and has had ample oppor-
tunity of observing the effects. He is of opinion that the habitual moderate use,
provided good rich food be procurable, does not induce any physical effects for
a long time. The ultimate effects of prolonged use of bhang, though moderate,
weaken the nervous system and occasionally gives rise to palpitation of the
heart. Ganja under the same conditions he has known to have caused bronchitis
and dysentery. Witness No. 108 has had over 23 years' experience, and has never
seen any noxious effects induced by the moderate use of any of the drugs.
Assistant Surgeon Munna Lall (witness No. 123), who has had twenty years'
experience, and witnesses Nos. 110 and 102 give similar evidence.
Eight hospital assistants were examined. Jamal Khan, witness No. 113, is
one of the old class of vernacular hospital assistants. He considers that daily
use of the drugs in moderate quantity induces noxious effects. On oral examin-
ation he stated: "Out of one hundred ganja smokers who come sick to the dispen-
sary, I find that seventy-five have chronic bronchitis or dysentery and twenty-
five have some mental disorder." Witness No. 121 is described as a pensioner,
native doctor, and health officer, Aligarh, and gave evidence to the follow-
ing effect: "It is not injurious to the constitution otherwise than by causing
thinness...
At the time of their use the man suffers from asthma
and bronchitis; after leaving their use, he suffers from diarrhœa and dysentery."
Witness No. 114 considers that no ill effects are induced. Witness No. 118, a re-
tired hospital assistant, considers "that charas and ganja alone produce bronchitis
and asthma, and bhang does not; none produce dysentery." Witness No. 119,
another retired hospital assistant, replies to the question in precisely the same
language and to the same effect. Witness No. 115 states the drugs do not cause
dysentery, but bronchitis and asthma result from continued use. Witnesses Nos.
116 and 117 state that charas and ganja cause bronchitis and asthma; the latter
witness states he is not aware whether dysentery is produced or not.
Fifty-two native practitioners were examined, of whom 26 failed to discrimi-
nate between the moderate and excessive use of the drugs. Their replies are not
further considered. Three gave no reply. Witness No. 122, of over 15 years'
experience, considers that no ill effects are induced. Witness No. 124 speaks only
of bhang, and considers that it does not injure the constitution; he is silent,
however, as to any alleged physical ill effects. Witness No. 125 is a hakim,
and considers that ganja and charas produce bronchitis and asthma. Wit-
ness No. 126, a private medical practitioner, gives similar evidence. Witness
No. 164, a hakim, stated that bhang causes no injury, but the moderate use of
ganja and charas causes bronchitis, asthma, and dysentery. Witness No. 165,
a hakim, remarked: "Injures soul and body, impairs semen, and impairs
digestion no doubt." Witness No. 167, a hakim, considers that use causes
dysentery, bronchitis, and asthma. Witness No. 132, a vaid, considers that ganja
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