( .34 )
distinct in the case of the samples of 1889-90, whose petroleum-ether extract was
quite inert, as in the case of the samples of 1892-93, where the corresponding
extract produced all the symptoms characteristic of gánjá. It appeared, therefore,
as if the effect was in no way due to these alkaloids, and this conclusion was
confirmed by the fact that the ether extract gives distinct traces of the existence
of the same or a similar alkaloid and yet the ether extract is quite inert in all
the samples.
Similarly, the alcoholic extract is quite inert, as is the watery extract.
Finally, the residue is equally inert, and as the time at my disposal did not
admit of a detailed examination of this, the investigation was not carried to a
point beyond the demonstration that it was, from the point of view of the
present enquiry, unnecessary.
The differences in the ash-analysis are of less moment, and indeed, with the
exception of that of the round gánjá of 1890-91, which was not a good sample,
the results are very uniform. The excess in the sample mentioned was due to a
small extra amount of silica, indicating probably that some of the heads which
yielded the sample had. come in contact with the soil.
The clue to the changes that occur in gánjá appear to me to be indicated by
the percentages of resin. With the exception of the flat gánjá sample for
1891-92 which, as has been explained, had been stored under less favourable
conditions during the preceding year, and the round gánjá for 1890-91, which
was a sample originally of indifferent quality, the amount of resin increases
steadily ; the different seasons showing to each other proportions of 11 ; 21 ; 27
33. The narcotic principle of ganjá resides entirely in the non-volatile petro-
leum-ether extract, and is therefore of the nature of a fixed oil. A fixed oil
becomes converted into a resin by being oxidised. The quantity of resin
increases as the age of the gándá increases, and this increase can only happen at
the expense of the substance that constitutes or at least contains the active
principle of the drug.
To carry to completion a series of experiments that would establish or
disprove this would require a much longer time than it has taken to obtain the
data on which the surmise is based; it seems to me, however, that it is in this
direction that a solution of the problem as to the precise changes that occur in
gánjá is to be sought. In the meantime there is no doubt as to what is probably
the best means of preventing the changes that certainly occur.
As it is at present stored, gánjá undoubtedly loses the substances that give
it the characteristic odour, and that not improbably produce some of the ex-
hilarating and ultimately exciting effects when the drug is consumed; these
substances escape by passing directly off into the air. And as the results of
the investigations recorded above show, it is extremely probable that the sub-
stances which produce the soothing and ultimately narcotic and depressing
effects which characterise gánjá, are altered by the action of the oxygen of the
air and converted into other substances which are inert. The only means of
preventing either of these actions is to protect gánjá completely from contact
with air. This can probably only be done effectively by sealing up the gánjá
in tins.
In order to test the effect of tinning up gánjá, the four check-samples of
each sort that have been placed in tin cases in order that they may be opened
for comparison when the corresponding samples packed in the ordinary way
are opened, will, it is hoped, prove effective as experimental tests of this point
also.
U M M A R Y O F R E S U L T S .
The bearing of the results obtained on the points of enquiry detailed in
the letter of instructions with which I was furnished have now to be briefly
reviewed
—
1. I was directed to ascertain the amount of waste that occurs under the present
system of manufacturing gánjá.
In previous reports the quantity of twigs that are rejected in the course
of manufacture have been treated as 'wastage in manufacture.' I have