224
57. My answer to this question is given in
answer to question 19.
In conclusion, under the circumstances stated
above, I am of opinion that the use of ganja and
charas in this country should be prohibited alto-
gether.
The consumption of these drugs is
positively injurious in its effects ; but I would not
prohibit the use of bhang, as its consumption in
moderate quantities is beneficial.
157. Evidence of BRAJ LAL,* Kayasth, Medical Practitioner, Muttra.
1. My profession and my being a native of
Muttra, where these drugs are mostly used, have
given me the opportunity of knowing the effects
of these drugs.
2. In addition to the definitions given by Dr.
Prain for bhang, (1) bijiya, and (2) buti are mere
extra names for it here.
This product (charas) is also called sulpha
locally.
19. Ganja and charas are here used only for
smoking and for no other purpose.
23. Yes ; very seldom, i.e., when ganja is not
at hand, some people smoke a quantity of bhang
to allay the keen longing of it to some extent.
28. Bhang. (a) Two annas† per day for a
habitual moderate consumer.
(b) From four annas to a rupee † per day for
an excessive consumer.
Charas.—The same cost is for this drug also.
29. (a) With charas and ganja tobacco is or-
dinarily mixed. With bhang spices, such as pep-
per, cardamoms, saffron, souf, almonds, and loaf
sugar, are ordinarily mixed.
(b) Excessive consumers, and sometimes moder-
ate consumers, mix opium, charas, tobacco, saffron,
and betel leaves with ganja for smoking. It is
called 'tamol.'
People sometimes make an exceptional prepara-
tion of bhang, consisting of bhang, opium, arsenic
(very little), dhatura (a few seeds), and kaner
root. It is called pachratni. Another such pre-
paration is made of bhang, honey, milk, curd, ghi,
and sugar. The object of these admixtures is to
make the drugs more intoxicating and palatable.
Also a kind of confection is generally made of
bhang mixed with sugar and ghi ; this is called
majum.
30. Ganja and charas are used commonly by
one man, at one pice worth at a time, in solitude ;
but it is used in company up to a rupee, worth at
a time.
Bhang in solitude is used up to two chittacks at
a time by one man, but in company up to 1 seer
at a time. All the three drugs are most commonly
used in company and rather seldom in solitude.
Male sex do use these things mostly during any
time of life. Female sex also use it, but very
few. It is not usual for children to use it, but
boys at the age of seven or eight years sometimes
begin to consume them.
31. Yes ; by a short use the habit is formed ;
it is difficult to break off. Yes ; there is a
tendency in all the three drugs for a moderate
consumer to grow into an excessive one.
32. On the festival of Holi it is a custom
to consume bhang socially. It is not essential
to use it socially or religiously. Yes ; it is likely
to form a habit. If it is used once or twice on
social occasions and afterwards given up, it is
not injurious.
36. No.
37. The effects of charas and ganja are nearly
the same, the latter being stronger. Bhang-
drinking has a different effect from both of the
drugs. The intoxication of charas and ganja is
instantaneous, and affects the brain more than
bhang.
39. Charas and ganja are generally used for
smoking. If excessively, they may produce in-
sanity. If drunk or eaten, they get poisonous
and injurious. Cf. questions 45 and 46.
40. Only bhang is sometimes prescribed in
native mode of treatment. It is also used for
cattle-disease.
41. The moderate use of bhang only is some-
what beneficial.
(6) Also a moderate use of the three drugs
alleviates fatigue and gives staying power under
fatigue and exposure and severe exertion.
(c) Bhang only is used as a febrifuge in mala-
rious fevers.
(d) Bhang is used in the treatment of blind
and bleeding piles, both internally and externally.
42. The moderate use of bhang is always bene-
ficial, but that of charas and ganja, though
slightly beneficial to remove fatigue, etc., is in-
jurious to health, and causes several diseases of
chest and brain.
44. The immediate effect of the use of them to
the habitual consumer is refreshing and stimulant.
It produces intoxication, it allays hunger, and
it creates appetite. The effect of bhang lasts
longer than that of charas or ganja. The effect
of the former lasts about 6 or 7 hours, while of
the others about an hour or two only. The want
of subsequent gratification produces a longing
and uneasiness
45. (a) The charas and ganja produce noxious
effects physically, mentally and morally to a little
extent. In old age they impair the constitution.
(c) Yes.
(d) Yes, when infirm and old.
(e) It produces immorality or debauchery in
youth, but when the body gets infirm it pro-
duces laziness.
(f) When a long whiff is taken, the brain
gets confused and heated. The people of nervous
temperament sometimes become temporarily insane
by the long whiff.
46. The excessive use of these drugs produces
a kind of insanity.
47. The habitual moderate use is not a here-
ditary habit, but the children of moderate con-
sumers are commonly born nervous.
48. The habitual excessive use also is not a here
ditary habit.
49. It is temporarily aphrodisiac. It is also
* Invited to attend at a meeting of the Commission for oral examination, but failed to appear.
† This cost includes the spices mixed with bhang and allowance also.