202
30. Women of loose character also use charas
and ganja, as well as the lower class children ; but
such instances are rare.
31. The habit of consuming ganja and charas is
not easily formed, but, when formed, is difficult to
break off. The habit of consuming bhang is easily
formed and can also he given up easily. There is
a tendency for moderate habit to develop into the
excessive.
32. On festivals, chiefly in summer, bhang is
used, while in winter, ganja and charas are made
use of a great deal,
33. Commonly the lower class of people consider
ganja smoking is a good thing, and those of the
same class who do not use the drug are taunted with
the proverb : " He who does not use ganja-kali
(ganja flower) is worse than a woman." On the
Sheoratri festival, ganja and bhang are offered to
god Shiva, and also partaken of by the people.
34. There is no doubt that those who are addict-
ed to its use will, on breaking off their habit, feel
much inconvenience.
35. To force the consumers to give up the use of
these drugs will be troublesome to them, as well as
be the cause of their annoyance, which annoyance
cannot be supposed to cause any danger. The only
thing to be feared is lest the use of other liquors
should take the place of these two.
36. No other intoxicating drug is used instead
of these three, as they are the cheapest.
39. Ganja and charas smoking is more injurious,
as it is said that the smoker of charas, soon after
its inhalation, becomes insensible, because his brain
becomes affected with the shock of its effect. In
some cases it leads to insanity and ends in death.
40. The native hakims prescribe bhang in the
following diseases :— ear diseases, to destroy lice,
diarrhœa, catarrh of the stomach, astringent to
seminal fluid, diuretic, chronic ulcers, piles, pains,
swellings, etc.
41. The moderate use of these drugs is beneficial
in the beginning as (a),(b) and (c), but after a time
it proves injurious, as will be described under
question No. 42.
42. It is medicinally beneficial in those diseases
mentioned in answer No. 40. Otherwise, when
practised moderately or excessively, proves injuri-
ous, producing the following effects :— loss of ap-
petite, dullness of brain, dryness of the humours
of the body, impotence, congestion of the brain,
insanity, melancholia.
44. In the beginning the effect is immediate, but
in habitual use the effect is not immediate.
45. Yes ; it produces noxious effects, physical,
metal and moral. It impairs the constitution ; it
injures the digestion, and causes loss of appetite ;
it produces dysentery, bronchits and asthma. The
latter two diseases are particularly produced by the
use of ganja and charas. Yes ; it impairs the
moral sense, induces laziness or habits of im-
morality or debauchery. Yes ; it produces insanity ;
it deadens the intellect.
47. It is not hereditary.
49. In the beginning it acts as an aphrodisiac.
Prostitutes use them and also make their lovers use
them. The use of hemp tends to produce impot-
ence.
51. The consumers of these drugs are generally
debauchees, but it has never been heard that they
ever committed any criminal offence.
53. When by the excessive use, the consumer
becomes insane, it is possible that he might tend
to commit criminal offence, but no cases of com-
mitting murder have been heard.
57. Sometimes charas is mixed with majun (a
compound of hemp) to increase the intoxicating
effects.
136. Evidence of LACHMAN, Kasamdhan, Medical Practitioner, Gorakhpur.
1. From personal experience as a doctor.
4. Hemp is also called bhuti, sabzi, patti,
bhang.
5. In moist soil such as bhat and kachhar.
7. None in this district except some bhang.
14. Drug contractors cut any wild bhang that
grows in this district.
18. Intoxicating effect diminishes after being
kept for a year. Applies to all three. No method
of preservation, as they go bad in the rains owing
to the damp.
19. Ganja and charas are only smoked.
20. Principally fakirs.
21. Baluchar is preferred.
22. Ganja and charas come from Punjab.
23. Not smoked.
24. All classes of people, and especially fakirs,
drink bhang, and in all places.
27. Fakirs.
28. Moderate smoker up to 3 pies. Excessive
smoker from 3 pies to 2 annas.
29. Ganja is mixed with chewing tobacco.
Charas is mixed with smoking tobacco.
30. Only used by men above 20 years of
age.
31. Easily acquired and difficult to get rid of.
32. No customs.
33. Has a bad name. Not worshipped.
34. Very great privation to fakirs, who are the
chief consumers,
35. No other intoxicant drug could be given.
Sudden stoppage would cause injury.
37. Ganja has less powerful effect than charas.
38. Baluchar causes greatest intoxication.
40. Bhang is used in medicine for men and for
cattle, ganja and charas are not.
41. Bhang is a digestive and gives staying-
power. Ganja and charas alleviate fatigue. Not
preventive of disease,
42. Beneficial in moderation,
43. Cannot cause any offence to others,
44. Ganja and charas take effect immediately,
but bhang does not take effect at once.
45. Unless used as digestives, cause asthma,
deafness and thinness. In great excess, cause
insanity.
47. Not hereditary.