INSANE THROUGH SMOKING.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17106, 30 March 1921, Page 10

INSANE THROUGH SMOKING.

"DAGOA" WBBD'S SF7BOT. Much alarm-is felt in Soirtih Africa at the spread of "dagga" smoking. The use of this noxious-weed for such a purpose ia described la responsible circles as barbarous, bat, in view of' the unrest among the natives, this is net the worst feature of the reprehensible Jjabit. 'TMgga" does not require culirWtion, as it grows wild. Tears ago the only people who smoked the weed were old Hottentots or bushmen, but the habit has spread, and boys and girls now dope themselves in this way. It is the root of the weed which is used. After inhaling deeply e few times the individual is ia the grip of the "dagga.". The effect vanes. gome smokers become unconscious, but often the man or woman ia thrown into a state of wild excitement. Ihe human beinjfcrhaoomea ■&. brnte- and cannot ba

held responsible for his actions. A»>» 1 thing may happen with a victim of tfie | poisoning. •..•■'.;■' f\ The victims are as easily recognisablo; \ as the weed. The young men aid girtsare imperfectly developed, and deficient) , in muscular power. They suffer' much ~ from nervousness, palpitation?»and in- \ somnia. A man who is hungryjmey apv| pease his desire for food hy using % W«?| bacco, but "dagga" creates au appetite. The victims just want to oat.« Theta, when the whole system is' affecte'lll they loeo interest in all but tho weediM Hysteria-, follow, and soon *af forwards! insanity. . _ . . ' ■ ' M In.one instance, a vouug burnt every bit of clothes and fuMU-|| ture ho possessed, except the rags h<j| had on. «The woman and children uving';| near were Ihi constant fear of him.' "j| Resolutions denouncing , "dagga' 'M smoking have been passed it represon-|| tative ecclesiastical and temperancefl conferences. Responsible inen like IhYvf police, magistrates, clergymen, andf? especially doctors, know what "dagga". f| smoking means to the victinw. • | It is now urged that, t the inatter | should be dealt with under a special | Act, which; would impose very severe '■] fines (with .alternative imprisonment), to be.doubled for each succeeding offence, upon any person permitting the i plant tb exist on land owned or occupied by him; or being found in yos- 1 session of any portion of the plant, 1 either fresh or dried, or nny powder or J liquid extract madp - therefrom; or| found guilty of aiding and'abetting in| the smuggling of "dagga" mto the| Union. '. 'J =—= ■■ i