CH. X.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 179
short the cold stage in fever. There appears to be but little doubt that when
bhang is used by natives in fever, the benefit accrues on account of its diuretic
action, and not because it possesses any real febrifuge properties. It is not
known to possess the latter.
Tonic and other effects.
465. The tonic, digestive, stimulant, antispasmodic, astringent, and alterative
effects of the drugs are mentioned by some witnesses.
It is probably on account of the supposed hæmosta-
tic effect that powdered charas is used as an application to cuts to check bleed-
ing and induce healing, and possibly the use of the drugs in menorrhagia is
based on similar reasoning. In this connection, however, it is interesting to note
that Dr. R. L. Dey, a medical officer of the Eastern Bengal State Railway, in
1866 reported the successful treatment of a number of cases of obstinate
menorrhagia with tincture of Indian hemp and liquid extract of ergot, although
he could obtain no benefit from the use of ergot administered with sulphuric and
gallic acids and other hæmostatics. The use of the drug as an ecbolic is also
mentioned. According to Stillé and Maisch (National Dispensatory), there is
evidence to show that Cannabis appears capable, directly or indirectly, of causing
uterine contraction, as in many cases of uterine hæmorrhage, and it is also said
to cause contraction in the pregnant uterus with as much energy as ergot, but
with less persistent action. Some witnesses refer to the purgative action; it is
quite possible that a chillum of ganja may act in the same way as the morning
pipe does with many Europeans.
Aphrodisiac action.
466. The use of the drug in cases of impotency is, no doubt, based on its
supposed aphrodisiac effects. The experiments of
Prof. Wood indicate that the drug does not possess
any aphrodisiac power; and Lauder Brunton remarks ("Text-book of Pharmacy,
Therapeutics, and Pharmacology"): "Cannabis indica has been regarded
as an aphrodisiac, but the trials of it made in this country seem to show that it
does not, itself at least, have any such action, and merely induces a condition of
partial delirium in which Easterns may possibly have visions of a sexual nature, and
indeed they try to give a sexual direction to the mental disturbance which the Can-
nabis produces by mixing with it musk, ambergris, or cantharides." O'Shaugh-
nessy, on the other hand, speaks of the drug acting on the "generative apparatus,"
and in experiments, which he tried on some of his pupils, he states that, "with
scarcely any exception, great aphrodisia was experienced" from administration of
the extract. Physiologically the active principle of hemp drugs has, so far as is
known, no aphrodisiac power whatever; and, as a matter of fact, they are used
by ascetics in this country with the ostensible object of destroying sexual appe-
tite. But taken as a stimulant to assist in the execution of a specific purpose,
its indirect effect is perfectly intelligible. Like alcohol it gives strength and
free course to the predominant desires of the animal nature. This effect will be
considered more fully later. Meanwhile it is enough to say that the alleged
aphrodisiac action seems to be merely the indirect effect of the drug as a stimulant.
This effect explains the use of these drugs in the houses of prostitutes, regarding
which there is a good deal of evidence, just as alcohol in one form or another is
used in similar houses in Europe.
The following are some of the minor cases to which ganja is applied. Occa-
sionally the drug is burnt as a disinfectant and used in lieu of carbolic acid. It
is also applied to sores for healing, and ganja ash is used to stop ulceration. By