CH. XI.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 217
of which have been spent
in civil employ, stated that in the habitual moderate
smoker bronchitis is frequent. Cross-examined as to the basis of
his observation of
the general effects induced by the drugs, he stated: "I have known
the moderate
use in cases of sepoys and one private servant.......Besides the
above direct ob-
servations, I have derived general impressions.......My general
impression is based
upon the fact that persons
alleged to have been ganja smokers have presented these
characteristics, but I have not specially inquired into the truth
of the allegation
that they were ganja smokers. They were pointed out as notorious
ganja smokers.
I did not discriminate in these cases between the moderate and
excessive use
because I was not called upon to do so." Surgeon-Major O'Hara
(witness
No. 93) stated that apparently no ill effects are caused, and that
he has no inform-
ation regarding specific affections alleged to be induced by the
drugs. Sur-
geon-Major Sturmer (witness No. 99), of nearly nineteen years'
service, said
regarding effects of moderate use: "In time, I believe, it leads to
mental and
moral degradation." Cross-examined as to the basis of his
information, the wit-
ness said: "I have never been into the question of ganja. I have
never seen it
scarcely. My first sentence (the one quoted above) is based on what
a ganja
smoker said. He said: 'It is a bad thing. I should like to leave it
off, but
I cannot.' I have really no experience as to the effects of either
moderate or
excessive use." Surgeon-Major W. F. Thomas (witness No. 96), of
fifteen years'
service, only three of which have been passed in civil employ,
stated that users of
the drugs suffer from dysentery, bronchitis, and asthma. On
cross-examination the
witness said: "I had to treat three cases of ganja poisoning. These
men
drank liquor and indulged in ganja. In all these cases there was
congestion of
the lungs
present.........These are the only three cases in which the evil
effects
of the drug have come
directly under my notice. The symptoms in all three
cases were the same, and for that reason I concluded the pulmonary
affection to
be the result of the drug. I have learnt from enquiry from medical
subordinates
and people in villages that dysentery, bronchitis, and asthma
result from the
drug. I have no personal experience on the point."
Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel
Hyde (witness No. 86) stated that, so far as he knew, no ill
effects were caused.
Surgeon-Major Lancaster (witness No. 90), twenty years' service,
nineteen of which
have been passed in civil employ, in his oral examination said: "I
have had
no opportunity of noticing the effects of the moderate use of hemp
drugs; they
have not come before me." Surgeon-Major Pemberton (witness No. 98),
of fifteen
years' service, and in civil employ continuously since 1885, stated
that evil effects
are induced, but asthma is relieved, and bronchitis and dysentery
are not caused.
Surgeon-Major N. Chattarji (witness No. 88), of nearly seventeen
years' service,
nearly all in military employ, stated: "It does not produce any
particular disease
except a peculiar cough, the result of a kind of chronic bronchial
catarrh." On
cross-examination the witness said: "I cannot in the case of any
sepoy attribute
thinness or cough to ganja,
for I cannot be certain. I have no proof............
What I have said in my
written answer about thinness and cough is
my
impression; but I could not assert it about any
particular case." Civil Apothecary
A. Wells (witness No. 105) has about nine years' service. He stated
that bronchitis,
asthma, and dysentery are not caused by the drugs, but relieved by
them. Dr. K. J.
Naidu (witness No. 106) stated that no ill effects are caused.
Surgeon-Captain
C. Fearnside (witness No. 97) considers that the drugs "impair the
constitution,
causing weakness of the limbs and other tissues, and hence the drug
has
55