425
consists of melon, cucumber and pumpkin seeds,
rose petals, cardamoms, almonds, black pepper
and poppy seeds
30. The drugs are commonly consumed in com-
pany in the same way that alcoholic drinks are
consumed by Western nations. Females use the
drugs, but not commonly. They are rarely re-
o-tilar consumers. The lower classes of prostitutes
are, however, large consumers. The children of
fakirs not uncommonly take to the use of the drugs
early in life.
31. The habit is probably easily formed, and as
regards ganja and charassmoking there is, I
fancy, a tendency to increase the quantity con-
sumed. The discontinuance of the moderate use
does not occasion more than moderate discomfort.
32. At the time of Jag, bhang is given by
Brahmins to all persons visiting the shrine of
Mahadeo. The use of the drug on this occasion
is not regarded as essential ; but it is considered
that its use is pleasing to Mahadeo. The use at
this ceremony is temperate and not likely to lead
to the formation of habit.
33. Fakirs and sadhus commonly use the drugs
with the objects of allaying sexual desire and of
fortifying themselves against exposure. Among
the better classes the use of bhang in moderation
is not considered disreputable. Any one smoking
ganja and charas sacrifices the respect of his
fellows. It is considered unmanly for a young
man to use these drugs. I suppose, however,
chamars and other low class people may use them
without suffering socially. Speaking generally a
charas smoker is considered by native society to
be a dissipated fellow.
34. 1 fancy fakirs and other excessive consum-
ers would feel it to be a serious privation to fore-
go the use of the drugs. But ordinarily the dis-
continuance of the drugs does not involve more
than moderate temporary discomfort.
35. The plant from which they are obtained
grows so commonly in parts of the country that
the use of the drugs could hardly be stopped
without great difficulty and increase of expendi-
ture. However, it is to be remembered that the
majority of the consumers in this province are
Hindustanis inhabiting our large cities and can-
tonment bazars.
36. I am not prepared to offer an opinion on
this point. The general impression among natives
appears to be that the use of alcohol has increased
and is increasing. The people of every country
use some intoxicant, so that it comes to be a choice
of evils.
39. From the inquiries I have made I have no
doubt whatever that the smoking of ganja and
charas is much more likely to prove injurious than
bhang drinking.
Intoxication is much more
quickly and effectually produced by either charas
or ganja than by bhang. Bhang is commonly
taken as a beverage, whereas charas is commonly
taken for the purpose of producing intoxication.
40. Yes. Hakims commonly use bhang com-
bined with other drugs in the treatment of
dysentery, diarrhœa, dyspepsia, impotency and
malarial fevers.
41. Bhang is said to be tonic, astringent and
aphrodisiac in its action.
Ganja and charas-
smoking alleviate fatigue and fortify against
exposure. Used in moderation they may perhaps
help the poor man to encounter the hardships
incidental to his life with greater fortitude.
Charas is generally smoked during the early morn-
ing and evening hours during the cold season for
the sake of the relief it affords from the painful
sensations produced by excessive cold. I fancy
the drug is resorted to much in the same way as
spirits of sorts are resorted to by the poorer classes
in cold climates,
42. The strictly moderate use of bhang does
not produce intoxication and it can hardly be
said to be harmful.
44. Charas and ganja smoking in moderation
produces rapid intoxication, which passes off
quickly. It also allays hunger and alleviates
fatigue. Bhang-drinking in moderation is re-
freshing and exhilarating; compared with charas-
smoking the effects pass off more slowly. 1 believe
the moderate use of any of the drugs can be
discontinued without any great difficulty.
45. While in charge of the Delhi Lunatic Asy-
lum I saw many cases of insanity in which the
patients and their friends attributed the condition
to the use of one or other of these drugs. In my
experience such cases recover quickly. I believe
that mental anxiety, excessive ganja or charas-
smoking and insanity constitute a not uncommon
sequence of events. Persons suffering from mania
induced by the use of these drugs are generally
talkative and not uncommonly indecent in their
behaviour. Many of the persons I saw suffering
from the use of these drugs, were of indistinctly
weak intellect, but I am unable to say to what
extent this condition was natural or induced by
the practice.
46. There can, 1 believe, be no doubt that the
excessive use of these drugs is distinctly harmful.
Charas smokers not uncommonly present a very
cachectic appearance ; but it is difficult to say how
far this may be due to the habit or to some other
condition of life. It may often be the ease of a
weakly individual taking to the habit for the tem-
porary relief for strength it affords him.
47. The fact that the use of these drugs is
generally practised away from the home tends to
protect the children from the example of charas-
smoking parents. The children of fakirs not un-
commonly take to the practice at a very early
age.
48. I believe the habitual excessive use of
these drugs renders the consumers more or less
impotent. Excessive charas smokers commonly
remain celibate.
49. The drugs are used by hakims as approdisi-
acs, and they are thought by European therapens-
tists to possess this action. Low class prostitutes
consume the drugs a good deal.
50. So far as I can ascertain, the excessive use
of the drugs causes impotency.
51. A large proportion of the prisoners in our
jails are consumers of intoxicating drugs of one
kind or another. The use of these drugs begets
lazy habits which may sooner or later lead to
crime.
52. The excessive use of the drugs may lead to
thieving, but not, I fancy, to serious crime.
54. In moderate quantity they are used in this
way.
55. Bhang is sometimes used as a blind by
criminals wishing to administer dhatura to persons
whom they intend to rob. Ganja or charas ad-
ministered by the mouth will produce complete
stupefaction.
vol. v. 3 M