168 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. X.
conceals the smell. On the whole, then, it is easily intelligible that respectable per-
sons should have a very limited knowledge of the consumption of hemp drugs, and
especially of the smoking of ganja and charas, except by dissipated or excessive
consumers. As might have been anticipated from a careful consideration of the
circumstances, the experience of a large number of witnesses, even of those who
have seen something of the use of the drugs, is found to be confined to having
seen palki-bearers or boatmen smoke in the midst of hard work, or to occasionally
seeing a friend indulge. Some other witnesses have only known the habit as
practised by such persons as fakirs or by dissipated persons who consume to
excess. Some have only seen the drug used when they have gone in the way
of duty, or, in pursuance of this inquiry, to shops or other places where smokers
resort. The witnesses are very few who have any extensive and accurate
acquaintance with consumption. Witnesses were specially warned to confine
themselves to what they actually knew, and efforts were made, wherever the
evidence seemed to require it, to ascertain whether they had done so.
Bias of certain witnesses.
452. In estimating the value of the evidence as to effects, this generally very
limited acquaintance with the subject on the part of
the witnesses has had to be borne constantly in mind.
It has been necessary to decline to accept strong or dogmatic statements on one side
or the other without taking pains to ascertain on what basis of fact and actual
experience they have been founded. This careful inquiry into the actual basis of
statements made has been found necessary also in consideration of the different
points of view from which such a question as this may be regarded. Some wit-
nesses know only the medicinal use of the drugs, and are prepared to say nothing
but good of them, being really ignorant of their use as intoxicants. They know
only the use of the drugs as remedial agents, carefully prescribed when necessity
arises, or used as a domestic remedy in certain minor ailments. This use
is sometimes confounded with the use of the drugs as stimulants or intoxicants.
These uses ought to be very carefully discriminated. There are also witnesses
who do know the use of the drugs as intoxicants, but know only the moderate
use. These have nothing stronger to say of the drugs than would be said of
alcohol by the man who only had seen a glass of wine taken at his own table or
at the table of a friend. He knows nothing of the effects of excess. Others
again have only experience of excessive consumption. The moderate consumer
has not attracted their attention. The ruin wrought in certain cases by excess
has alone attracted their notice. They feel towards these drugs as that man feels
towards alcohol whose experience has been mainly gained among the social wrecks
of the lowest parts of a great city. In view of all this, the Commission were careful
to do what they could to ascertain the basis of the opinions and closely to examine
the facts laid before them. Striking statements made by some of the most
careful and intelligent witnesses as to the change in their views when they
became aware of the great extent of the moderate consumption of these drugs, the
effects of which they had only seen in cases of deplorable excess, will be referred
to later on in dealing with insanity and other effects. This ignorance of the
effects of hemp drugs on the part of some able, intelligent, and benevolent
men, however it may be explained with reference to the above considerations,
must still be regarded as indicating that the injury caused by the drugs is com-
paratively trifling. It must have attracted more attention had evil effects been
at all common in comparison with the extent of consumption.