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The alkaloid cocaine, we are informed, was discovered by Niemen in 1859. It is highly poisonous, and its physiological action induces a series of symptoms affecting the nervous, respiratory, circulatory and vaso-motor glandular systems. In recent years it has been found useful as a local anesthetic for minor opera- tions, particularly in ophthalmic and dental surgery. It is sometimes injected, but is ordinarily eaten in India with lime or betel. The cocaine is rubbed with or without lime on the lips or guins, licked off and swallowed. Cocaine sniffing, as practised in America, has not been noticed in India. The action of cocaine is threefold. It stimulates, then depresses, and finally paralyses the nerves. A very rapid tolerance is induced, and 30 or even 60 grains may be consumed daily. The practice is often begun by morphinists and alcoholics, and instead of replacing the other vice is superadded to it. The cocainist becomes ema- ciated, the skin shrinks and becomes pallid, the eyes become hollow and sunken, appetite and digestion fail, and there may be constipation or diarrhoea. Sleep- lessness is an early and marked feature, and insanity a common ending.
34. The result of the latest medical enquiry undertaken under our instruc tions into the drug habits shows the terrible havoc already wrought by cocaine in India. Although its vicious use was only brought to notice eleven years ago, it has spread with alarming rapidity in the large towns. The most disquieting symptom is that it has fastened upon the rising generation represented by young men of the student class. It is a potent factor in inciting to crime and murderous outrages. It is used in the lowest forms of sexual vice, and is said to be instrumental in spreading sexual disease. The effects of cocaine are infinitely worse than any evils noticed in the experience of medical men as due to opium in India.
35. The necessity for restrictive action in regard to cocaine in India first came to the notice of the Government of Bengal in 1900. The drug was reported to be sold in Calcutta by native tobacconists and betel sellers and in opium-smoking saloons, and to be used as a narcotic by men, women and even boys. The provincial Government declared cocaine to be an "intoxicating drug" for purposes of the Excise Act, and with effect from the 1st March 1902 prohibited its sale except by licensed chemists and druggists, and for bona fide medical purposes. Burina followed suit with legislation in 1904-5, but in addition to internal regulations, the import and export of cocaine into or out of Burma, except by persons duly anthorised in that behalf, were prohibited under section 19 of the Sea Customs Act. Further stringency in the regulations will be introduced by the new Excise Act for Burma. Similar action has followed in Bombay, the United Provinces, Madras, Punjab, and the other provinces. The Government of India Notifications of 1906 and those issued subsequently, prohibiting import by means of the post, restricting import by other means, and giving powers of search to certain postal officials, have been superseded by the more comprehensive Notifications issued this year (1911), which will be found in Appendix I and Appendix II.
36. Our difficulty in dealing with cocaine is increased by the numerous forms in which the drug is put on the market, and the production of numerous synthetic substitutes and allied drugs similar in physiological action to cocaine. Thus tropacocaine, acoine, encaine, beta eucaine, beta eucaine lactate, holocaine, alypin, nirvanine, novocain, anesthesine, stovaine, orthoform, and scopola- mine are already known in India Many of these drugs have been brought under regulation at different times, but the list is by no means the same in every province of British India. It has been recently reported from Hong Kong that a new alkaloid called Yohimbine, made from the bark of Yohimbeke or Yumbchoa, bas come into vogue in that colony on account of the severe restrictions placed on cocaine; and the arrival of the first consignment in India has just been intimated to us. The problem has been to discover a comprehen- sive definition which will cover all such drugs, as the prohibition of a few makes no difference to the spread of the vicious habit. The solution at which we have arrived will be found in the schedule to Appendix I, where the prohibition or restriction of the imports of drugs is extended to the following:
(1) Opium and all alkaloids of opium, and all intoxicating drugs made
from the poppy.
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(2) Ganja, bhang, and charas, and every intoxicating drink or sub- stance prepared from any part of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).
(3) Coca leaves, alkaloids of coca, every other intoxicating drink or substance prepared from the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca), and all drugs, synthetic or other, having a like physiological effect to that of cocaine.
(4) All preparations and admixtures of any of the above.
37. The present law governing cocaine and its congeners will be found in different provincial regulations which are set out in extenso in Appendix VIII. As already stated, import by post into India is altogether prohibited and import by other means is severely restricted. Inter-provincial import and transport are similarly restricted by provincial regulations. Sale wholesale may be made to licensed dealers only and any quantity above a certain limit (which is 20 Licenses grains for cocaine in Bengal) is included in the term "wholesale." are given free of charge or on payment of a nominal fee to chenists or druggists. These may only sell to private persons for bona fide medicinal purposes and on the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner. In some provinces sale on the authority of a prescription is allowed only once, unless an order to repeat and the number of times to be repeated are endorsed on the prescription. In Madras the use of a prescription for over six months is prohibited. Private possession, except under a medical prescription, is generally prohibited. Quali- fied medical practitioners (including dentists) may possess quantities generally up to 1 ounce, and in some provinces they are allowed to sell for medicinal purposes.
Under the new Excise Bill for Burma it is proposed to follow the law in Ceylon and to prohibit the making or selling of any hypodermic syringe or other apparatus for injecting any intoxicating drug, or the possession and use of such syringe or apparatus except on the prescription of a medical practitioner. The only exemptions are in favour of a medical or veterinary practitioner and a pharmacist holding a license.
38. Looking to the divergences in provincial regulations, we have recently considered the question of unifying the law about cocaine and similar drugs, There are no varying local conditions to be allowed for in the case of these drugs, while the differences are a source of weakness to the administration and inay be of advantage to the smuggler. With a view to unification we addressed all the provincial Governments and Administrations, and laid down the follow- ing general principles for guidance :-
(1) The adoption of a comprehensive definition like that referred to above is recommended. At present the provincial lists vary and are incomplete.
(2) The small areas in British India in which the drugs have not yet
been brought under regulation are to come into line.
(3) Local cultivation where it exists is to be watched, and the method of disposal of the produce is to receive particular attention. So far as is known at present, coca has not yet been grown for the production of cocaine or allied drugs in India. The now Excise Bill for Burma proposes to prohibit definitely the cultivation of the coca plant except under a special license.
(4) Further co-ordination is to be introduced between the Excise and
the Customs authoritities.
(5) The limits of possession should be as far as possible uniform, and the following amounts are recommended: (a) for licensed drug- gists 1 ounce or less according to the standing of the firm, subject to exceptions sanctioned by the Chief Revenue Authority or the Excise Commissioner; (b) for medical practitioners and dentists, oz. subject to exceptions as in (a); (c) for private individuals, such quantity as they may have purchased on the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner, or where a quan- tity has to be fixed, th of a grain.
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