Medicine - Drugs > Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895 > Volume VIII
(90) Volume [8], Page 86
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I am consequently unable
to answer any of
these questions.
45. I do not know.
I do not know.
I do not know.
I do not know.
I do not know.
I was in medical charge
of the Madras Lunatic
Asylum for five years, and during that time I saw
numerous cases of insanity supposed to be caused
by the abuse of ganja, chiefly amongst sepoys.
It produces temporary
acute mania, often with
suicidal and homicidal tendencies. I should say the
drug was the exciting cause. Typical symptoms:
excitement, delirium, dilated pupils, sleep.
The symptoms are
re-induced by the use of the
drug.
I have seen re-admissions
amongst individuals
addicted to its use. They confessed to the use of
the drug.
I do not know.
I do not know of any evidence.
I know nothing about the
use of the drug ex-
cept as stated above.
46. I can tell nothing of
the effects of the drugs,
as I have no knowledge of what would be the
moderate or excessive use of them.
[Questions 45 and 46
answered by Medical
Officer.]
Answer No. 127
20. (a) Combatants—
Muhammadans |
435 |
|
Sikhs |
335 |
|
Dogras |
111 |
|
Brahmins |
2 |
|
Dhanak |
1 |
|
Christian |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
885 |
(b) Non-combatants—
Muhammadans |
32 |
|
Hindus |
28 |
|
TOTAL |
60 |
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Hindus |
34 |
Muhammadans |
31 |
TOTAL |
65 |
It is believed that about
35 Hindus and 25
Mussalmans smoke charas, ganja is not used, and
that about 20 Sikhs drink bhang.
25. Increasing.
28. About one pice in
weight of charas daily,
the cost varying according to the market rates.
32. At the festival
of Nimami Ekashti bhang is
supposed to be consumed by the Sikhs.
33. In moderation
the use is not held in disre-
pute.
39. Smoking is more
injurious than other me-
thods of consumption.
41. Only when used medicinally.
42. The moderate
use of any of these drugs is not
considered to be injurious provided the consumer
does not become addicted to the habit.
43. Yes.
44. (1) The
immediate effect of a moderate
quantity is that of an appetiser.
(2) It does refresh.
(3) It stimulates the appetite.
(4) This effect lasts for about two hours.
(5) After this
period (two hours) if no food
be taken, a feeling of exhaustion and giddiness
ensues; but if food be taken soon after no unplea-
sant results follow.
(6) To those accustomed
to its use as an appe-
tiser the want of it causes loss of appetite.
45. (1) The moderate use
produces some bad
effects, as shown in (4) and (5).
(2) It
predisposes to some chest affections, such
as asthma and bronchitis.
(3) To
habitual consumers it becomes neces-
sary as an appetiser.
(4) In
habitual consumers, it tends to pro-
duce asthma and bronchitis in old age.
(5) It tends to
impair activity, both physical
and mental.
I have no experience of
its having produced in-
sanity, and believe that its moderate use does not
do so in those who have no predisposition to mental
disease.
In military practice I
have seen no cases of bad
effects resulting from its use. In civil practice I
have seen one case,— a youth aged about 20, who
was brought into a jail for restraint and observa-
tion. His friend said he had become very violent
and threatening, the result of over-indulgence in
smoking charas. I could get no information as to
the amount he used to smoke or the length of
time he had been addicted to it.
He was markedly wanting
in cranial develop-
ment. Beyond being morose and untruthful
when questioned about himself, he had no symp-
toms of any kind, and was released after ten days'
detention. I heard nothing more of him.
46. Not having any
experience of the habitual
excessive use of any of these drugs, I am unable to
discuss the question.
49. No, and their use is
said to act as an aphro-
disiac.
51. They are largely
consumed among the crim-
inal classes.
53. Not necessarily
so; occasionally it may act
in this manner.
54. Not in my
experience, but it is believed that
the uses of these drugs for the purposes of acts of
violence are resorted to amongst certain classes.
55. If they did,
the effect would be much less
than if a strong narcotic was used.
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