322

cases the patient had a fit in the ward. This
tends to show that it is impossible for me to find
out any cause that I do not see. That is the case.
By enquiry I may ascertain the use of a drug; or
by seeing a fit of epilepsy I may find out that
cause; but, apart from that, it is almost impossible
for me to ascertain a cause.

I know of no literature dealing with hemp drug
insanity. I am teacher of Medical Jurisprudence,
Campbell Medical School.

124. Evidence of ASSISTANT SURGEON AKBAR KHAN, Teacher, Temple Medical
                                                            School, Patna.

1. I have had no other and better opportuni-
ties of obtaining information regarding the matters
connected with hemp drugs in regard to which
my answers are framed than that I have at times
observed some accidental cases, and that I have
referred to many persons using these drugs
moderately and excessively, especially some jogis
and habitual smokers of ganja.

2. The definitions given of siddhi or bhang,
charas and ganja by Dr. Prain appear to be cor-
rect, and may be accepted for this province.

Baluchar ganja is sold here generally. Bhang
is known here by the name of bhang or sabzi,
charas by charas, and ganja by ganja.

19.  Ganja and charas are used only for smok-
ing. They are not put to any other use.

20.  Jogis, sanyasis, fakirs and lower classes of
people smoke ganja largely.

21.  Flat ganja, which is called baluchar ganja
in this place, is preferred for smoking.

22.  Foreign charas is chiefly used, and it is
obtained from Nepal, Kashmir and other high
lands.

23.  Bhang is generally used for drinking and
not for smoking. But when the habitual smoker
of ganja and charas has got none in his possession,
he then, with great reluctance, uses bhang for
smoking only to satisfy his mind; but this does
not satiate his craving so much as ganja or
charas would do.

28.  The average allowance and cost of each of
these drugs is per diem to—

(a) Habitual moderate consumers, allow-
ance or weight from 1/8 to ¼ tola, cost
from ½ to 1 anna. (b) Habitual ex-
cessive consumers, allowance or weight
from 1 to 2 tolas, cost from 4 to 8
annas.

29.  (a) Dried tobacco leaves are ordinarily
mixed with ganja, khamira (of to-
bacco) with charas, and black pepper
with bhang. (b) Nothing is mixed
exceptionally with ganja and charas.
Raisins, pistachio nuts, almonds, etc.,
milk, sugar, saffron, seeds of cucum-
ber, leaves of rose flower, rose water,
cardamom, musk, aniseed, black pepper
etc., are exceptionally mixed with bhang.

The admixture of bhang in (a) is used by the
poor and that in (b) by the rich who can afford
to buy all these. Dhatura is never mixed with
any of these drugs. The object of admixture in
ganja and charas is to diminish their intoxicating
power to some extent. As regards bhang,
the admixture makes it cool, refreshing, and
palatable.

Preparation of bhang massala is generally sold
by grocers. The ingredients are almost the same
as mentioned in (b).

30.  If the consumption of each of these three
drugs is practised in solitude small quantities are
used; but in company large quantities are con-
sumed. It is mainly confined to the male sex.
Females, but very few, perhaps only 5 per cent.
use these in some disease. Men in youth use
these more than at any other time of life. It is
not usual for children to consume these drugs.

31.    The habit of consuming these drugs is
formed easily; but it is difficult to break it off
when once acquired. There is a tendency in the
case of any of these drugs for the moderate habit
to develop into excessive.

32.  There is no custom, social or religious, in
regard to the consumption of any of these drugs.

33.  The consumption of each of these drugs
is generally regarded as only a thing of habit.
It cannot be said that there is any public opinion
(social or religious) in regard to the practice.
There is no custom of worshipping the hemp
plant.

34.  I think a consumer of the drug he uses,
would feel somewhat dull and unmindful of his
duties if he have to forego the consumption. I
do not think that any thing serious would happen
to him.

36.  There is no reason for thinking that alcohol
is now being to a certain extent substituted for
any of these drugs.

37.  The effects of charas-smoking differ from
those resulting from ganja-smoking in a larger
amount of heat and excitement being produced

by the former than by the latter. Charas is
more heating than ganja. And the drinking of
bhang differs in its effects from either or both
of these in its being cool and refreshing, and bhang
is milder in effect than any of the two.

39. Charas and ganja are not eaten or drunk.
They are only used for smoking. Bhang is drunk
and is not so much injurious, while its smoking
has no effect at all. The general effect of the
drugs on the constitution is not injurious. There

is no tendency towards producing insanity.

40. Preparations, such as tincture and extract
of Cannabis indica, are prescribed on account of
their medicinal properties. Bhang is sometimes
used for its soothing effect in the form of poultice
and fomentation in piles. Ganja and bhang are
used in the treatment of cattle disease.

41. The moderate use of charas, ganja or
bhang is supposed to be beneficial in its effects—
(a) as digestive; (b) as refreshing after fatigue
and exposure; (c) as a febrifuge to some extent;
(d) as a producer of excitement in doing works
promptly and willingly.

42. I consider the moderate use of any of these
drugs to be harmless for reasons described in 41.

43. The moderate consumers are inoffensive
to their neighbours.

44. The immediate effect of the moderate use
of any of these drugs on the habitual consumer is