104 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. VI.
Regarding the keeping properties of charas, the information must necessa¬
rily be inexact, as it is an imported article, and it is practically impossible for the
real age of any particular sample to be known. From its physical properties
charas admits of being readily adulterated, and the strikingly marked differences
in the physiological value of charas resin as determined by Dr. Evans would also
appear to support this view. From the various modes which appear to be adopt¬
ed for the preparation of commercial charas, it must always be a drug of more
or less uncertain composition, and not undeserving of the appellation—"A foul
and crude drug, the use of which is properly excluded from civilized medicine,"
which was applied to it by the famous pharmacologists Flückiger and Hanbury.
Some witnesses appear to consider that charas is perhaps more stable than ganja.
Gujar Mal, Punjab Witness No. 93, a drug vendor for twenty years, states that
charas is very strong during the first year; after that it gradually loses its strength
until the fourth year, when it becomes quite useless. Some witnesses refer to
the deterioration being more rapid in the plains than at hill stations. A witness
refers to charas produced in Bokhara which can be kept for six years in India
without going bad.
275. The causes of the deterioration of ganja and bhang are usually ascribed
to (a) damp and natural decay; (b) ravages of insects,
and also popularly (c) to volatilization of the
narcotic principle. Regarding the two first causes of deterioration, they are
common to all vegetable substances; but the third cause is not tenable because
hemp resin on which the narcotic property of the drug depends is non-volatile.
There is no doubt, however, that by prolonged exposure to air the aroma of the
drug is dissipated to a considerable extent, the aroma being due to the presence
of a volatile oil. The popular view of the value of ganja is based on its physical
appearance, and very largely also on its aroma; but it does not necessarily follow
that because the aroma has been lost, the drug is therefore weaker in narcotic
property; but it may be less pleasant to smoke than ganja which has retained
its bouquet. The mere effluxion of time without other disturbing factor, such as
damp, as a cause of the impairment in the narcotic value of the drug is a point of
some interest. In medical circles there is a fairly general idea that the extract
of Cannabis indica is an uncertain drug, and this is believed to be due to varia¬
tions in age of the preparations which have been prescribed. This assumption
may or may not be correct. Dr. Evans' experiments indicate that the physiological
values of similar doses of all alcoholic resinous extracts from various ganjas are
not the same, and, moreover, individual idiosyncrasy on the part of the patients
as influencing the action of the drug has perhaps not been always recollected. The
alleged diminution in power of the drug by ellluxion of time might be ascribed as
being really clue to a slow oxidation process, and that this might readily occur
in ganja is explicable. But as regards the extract of Cannabis indica, direct oxida¬
tion would only occur superficially in the stratum exposed to air. But there
is no evidence of any value to prove that ganja, which has been carefully protect¬
ed from damp, and say five years old, is not as active physiologically as the
fresh drug. The value of ganja for use has always hitherto been determined
solely by its physical appearances. With evidence of mould and the effects of
continued damp, the physical appearances are sufficient for an opinion to be
arrived at; but when those signs of deterioration are absent, mere loss of aroma,
Causes of deterioration.