164
use of hemp from the other forms; but there is a
clear history of excessive use of the drug in al-
most every such case.
46. The habitual excessive use impairs the con-
stitution to a great extent, and the consumers
are lean, sparely built, emaciated folks. It causes
bronchitis and asthma, and deranges the diges-
tive functions, and produces dysentery of a severe
type. It induces laziness, but not immorality or
debauchery necessarily.
47 and 48. The habit of the use of these drugs
appears to be hereditary in some cases; but I
think the children of the habitual consumers get
the habit by following the example of their guard-
ians more than by any inherent tendency.
49 and 50. Yes. Prostitutes seldom use these
drugs. It is more injurious when used as such, be-
cause it tends to venereal excesses, and impairs the
constitution, both directly and indirectly. It tends
to produce impotence indirectly by over-stimul-
ating the sexual organs, which must necessarily
lead to reaction, and by tending to excessive in-
dulgences in the sexual act.
51 and 52. Yes, about 70 per cent. No special
connection.
53. No.
54. Yes, in some cases by refreshing the con-
sumers.
55. Yes, specially bhang secretly administered
with sweetmeats. Complete stupefaction might
be induced in those who are unaccustomed to its
use.
56. Some substances increase and some correct
the injurious effects. Dhatura is generally mixed
with bhang by veteran drinkers for personal con-
sumption, and is mixed with bhang by criminals
for administration to others to produce complete
stupefaction.
57. Nil.
58. It is working well, in my opinion. No
material improvement could be made to the
present system,
62. The thorough controlling of hemp plants for
the production of bhang is not feasible, as it grows
wild in the jungles and waste lands of most dis-
tricts.
65. In my opinion, the taxation is reasonable, as
compared to alcoholic and other intoxicants.
67. The taxation seems to be heavy, as the con-
sumers are generally poor.
68. There is no such house licensed for the
purpose of entertaining the consumers at the very
premises; but there is a licensed shop where
people buy these drugs and take them to their
houses.
69. No, generally a shop is opened at a popular
place. It is not necessary to consider public
opinion before opening a shop, as these shops are
not authorised to allow people to use these drugs
at the premises.
111. Evidence of ASSISTANT SURGEON PRASANNA KUMAR BANERJI, Brahmin,
Azamgarh.
1. As an Assistant Surgeon I have been serv-
ing under Government for the last seven years
nearly in these provinces.
2. Yes; these are called here ganja dali, ganja
pamrhi, and ganja roha, respectively.
3 to 6. Nil.
7. No.
8 and 9. Nil.
11 and 12. Nil.
14. No.
16. (a) Yes. (b) Yes; it can be prepared from
the hemp plant grown anywhere. (c) Yes.
17. Nil.
18. Bhang and ganja deteriorate by keeping.
If they are not aired, they go bad and become
quite unfit for use. But if they are aired two or
three times a month, they will keep for a whole
year and no longer. A sort of worms attack
them and cut them to pieces and eat them in part.
Their colour is also changed to that of ash, and
after a year they produce no effects at all in the
consumer. As to charas I have no experience,
as this drug is not prepared in the country, but
comes from Kandahar, Yarkand, etc.
19. Only for smoking.
21. Flat; but its price being higher, the chur
is generally preferred by the people at large.
22. Foreign, Kandahar, Yarkand, etc.
23. No.
24. The priestly classes of holy cities, such as
Mathura, Allahabad (Prag), Gaya, etc., use bhang
to a larger extent than any other classes.
28. (a) about a pice
worth
(b) about one anna
I mean bhang or ganja.
29. With bhang are mixed ordinarily the fol-
lowing:—milk, sugar, sweet almond, cardamoms,
and black pepper, to make it stronger in its
effects and to give it a good flavour. Dhatura is
exceptionally mixed with it by excessive consum-
ers to make it stronger. With ganja dry to-
bacco leaves and dhatura seeds are sometimes
mixed by the habitual moderate consumers to
make it least expensive.
I know of no such things as bhang massala, sold
in the bazar.
30. Mostly bhang and ganja are used in com-
pany and also charas. All the three are mainly
confined to the male sex. Not usual for children.
31. Yes; easily formed. Yes; especially ganja
is very difficult to break off, and also bhang.
Only in ganja there is a tendency to develop into
excessive for the moderate habit.
32. It is a custom in Bengal to drink bhang
invariably on the evening of the last day of the
Durga Puja, called Bijaya Dasami. Yes; it is
regarded essential. It is generally temperate, and
mainly confined to the male sex. No; it is not
likely to lead to the formation of the habit.
33. People generally hate the consumers of
ganja and charas. As far as I know, there is no
public opinion (social or religious) in regard to
the practice except mentioned as above, I know
of no such a thing as worshipping the hemp plant.
But the god Mahadev is worshipped with the
leaves of hemp plant during the night called
Shivratri.
The goddess Shidhesswar is also
worshipped on certain occasions with the leaves
of the hemp plant.