216 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. XI.
causes asthma and bronchitis, but not dysentery. Witness No. 52 stated that
"charas, of course, causes loss of appetite and bronchitis and asthma." Witness
No. 53 merely stated: "The mischief is done by charas and ganja." Hakim
Ghulam Nabi, of Lahore (witness No. 54), of twenty years' experience, stated:
"I have not found even a single person during the last twenty years who com-
plained of these drugs. There are more takias outside the Mochi Gate, Lahore,
than in any other parts of the city which are reserved for the consumption of such
drugs; and as the resorters to these takias generally come to me for treatment,
and as none of them has during the last twenty years complained to me of having
suffered from any disease in consequence of using bhang or charas, it shows
that the moderate use of these drugs is harmless."
Central Provinces.
504. In the Central Provinces three commissioned officers, one Honorary Sur-
geon-Major, and two senior apothecaries were examin-
ed. All these officers are of long service and con-
siderable experience. One, an officer of forty years' service, did not discriminate
between the effects induced by moderate and excessive use of the drugs, and his
replies to questions dealing with the moderate use are consequently valueless.
One witness stated that the moderate use of ganja and bhang does not ordinarily
produce any noxious effects, but that ganja sometimes causes chronic catarrh. A
second witness stated that no evil effects are induced; then added that bronchitis
and asthma may be caused by ganja smoking, but not dysentery. Surgeon-Major
Quayle (witness No. 37), who had resided four years in a district where the drug is
extensively cultivated, and where it is easily procurable in the adjoining Native
States, alleged that he had no evidence that the moderate use of the drug produces
any noxious effects-physical, mental, or moral. Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel
McKay (witness No. 36), after twenty years' service in the country, gives no reply
to the Commission's questions dealing with the effects of moderate or excessive
use of the drugs. Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Gaffney, after 25 years'
service as a Civil Surgeon in the Central Provinces, stated: "I do not think the
moderate use produces any of these ill effects."
One assistant surgeon was examined in the Central Provinces, a man of 22
years' service, who was of opinion that, while the moderate use of bhang would
not cause bronchitis, dysentery, or asthma, these remote effects might be induced
by ganja.
One hospital assistant who was examined stated on cross-examination:
"I have never seen an asthma, bronchitis, or dysentery case arising from ganja."
Another pensioned hospital assistant was of opinion that the moderate use of
ganja, charas, and bhang does produce noxious physical, mental, and moral
effects; ganja causing dysentery, bronchitis, and asthma; bhang making a person
unusually fat, affecting the urinary system, and causing bronchocele and hydrocele.
One vaid was examined, 55 years of age, who had known hundreds of ganja
smokers, and had never known a case in which it did any harm. He had himself
been a steady ganja smoker for thirty years, consuming six to eight chillums
daily.
Madras.
505. In Madras twenty commissioned and uncovenanted officers, of whom
eleven either failed to reply or did not discriminate
between the effects of moderate and excessive use, were
examined. Surgeon-Major King (witness No. 85), nineteen years' service, sixteen