211
56. Dhatura is mixed with bhang to produce
greater intoxication. It was so used by thugs ;
from the admixture of milk the dryness caused by
hemp is lessened. The intoxication is diminished
by eating bitter things after taking hemp.
Oral evidence.
Question No. 29.—The
Arabic name of
Hyoscyamus is "baj-ul-banj." The seeds are used,
not the leaves. Dhatura seeds are but seldom
mixed with bhang. The habit of mixing dhatura
is not confined to any class. Persons of any class
may use it if they wish to render the mixture
more powerful. Hindu fakirs are more given to
the use of dhatura than other people.
Question No. 45.—I have never known a case
of any one dying from the use of the drugs. I
can remember treating a Brahman who had gone
mad. He was addicted to charas. He was a
young man, 35 years of age, not a fakir. He
was not addicted to liquor. There was no sus-
picion that he mixed poisons with his charas,
either dhatura or anything else. It was not said
that he did so, and it was denied when I enquired
of the man himself when he recovered his senses.
The man said he did not know how he became
mad ; he took nothing but charas. I did not
enquire if there was any history of insanity in
the family. It was eight or nine years, and I
cannot remember what his means of livelihood
were. He was under my treatment for a month,
and got quite well. I never heard of his getting
insane again, but his mind was never restored to
its previous soundness. I can't say whether he
was a steady liver. He recovered after 20 or 25
days. I did not hear of any previous attack.
But I now remember he had not been in good health
for some time. That was probably the effect of
charas. I cannot recall any other case of positive
insanity, but I have known men whose brain
appeared to have been more or less affected by the
use of charas.
145. Evidence of UPENDRO NATH GANGULY, Medical Practitioner, Meerut.
1. I lived and practised as a medical prac-
titioner for ten years in the district of Bogra
(North Bengal), a place close to Naogaon, where
the cultivation of hemp drugs is being extensively
carried on.
19. I have seen people smoking only ganja
and charas.
93. Yes ; bhang is used for smoking. I have
seen men of the lower order smoking bhang by
admixing it with tobacco ; but this practice is not
an extensive one.
29. The bhang massala which is sold in the
bazar for the purpose of being mixed up is of an
inoffensive character. Sometimes dhatura is mixed
up with bhang to make the preparation more
strong.
30. Ganja-smokers generally smoke it in com-
pany invariably. In my opinion it is generally to
the male sex, though I have seen females smoking
it, but very seldom. Generally men of an ad-
vanced age, i.e., after 35 or 40 years, begin
to smoke. In some eases young men smoke it
very frequently. I do not think children ever
consume it.
31. When once this habit is established, it is
very difficult for the individual to break it off. A
moderate ganja smoker ultimately turns an in-
veterate one.
32. The Bengalis invariably drink bhang during
the day of Bijaya, i.e., on the 4th day of Durga
Puja. They take in a diluted form and very spar-
ingly. This custom is regarded by every body,
and is considered to be essential.
36. I do not think that alcohol is being sub-
stituted for these drugs ; but I know one or two
instances in which persons who were inveterate
drunkards left their drinking habits and sub-
stituted it by drinking bhang.
37. In the main the result of charas and ganja
smoking is the same. Both of them, especially
ganja, produce instantaneous stimulation, and
afford abnormal strength and energy ; on the
other hand, bhang produces dulness and lethargy.
39. I have seen the inveterate ganja-smokers
turn insane in the long run. In almost all cases
the individual loses his brain power to a certain
extent. Ganja has a pernicious influence over
the lungs; hence cases of consumption are gener-
ally seen amongst them. In Bengal ganja is
generally smoked by lower order of men, such as
palki-bearers, drivers of carriages, porters, &c. ;
but cultivators as a class never indulge in it.
40. The native physicians sometimes use ganja
and bhang for medicinal purpose. Bhang is
generally used for cattle diseases.
41. (a) and (b) Yes.
I have seen people smoking ganja in a mala-
rious climate never suffering from malarious fevers.
42. In my opinion the habit is altogether pre-
judicial to health. They may give temporary
relief, but in the long run they tell very seriously
on the system. They generally increase the
appetite at the beginning and afford staying-power
under severe exertion or exposure ; but after a
certain length of time the appetite fails, and
hence he is compelled to increase the dose. In
this way he is compelled to be an inveterate
drinker and smoker.
44. It is refreshing no doubt. Yes ; it allays
hunger, because it is a sort of complementary food
to those who take it.
45. (a) and (b) Yes.
(c) Not at the beginning, but after the lapse of
a certain length of time.
(d) Yes.
(e) It induces laziness.
(f) It deadens the intellect, and in some cases
produces insanity. In most of the cases the in-
sanity is curable ; in exceptional cases only per-
manent insanity is seen. There was one case
under my treatment some ten years ago in which
the individual became insane by taking a large
quantity of bhang. He was ultimately cured
thoroughly after 6 months' treatment. A relapse
took place after a year and half. The individual
is still living, but a perfect picture of an idiot.
47. No.
49. Yes ; it is used as an aphrodisiac. I have
no experience whether the prostitutes take them ;
put I have heard from reliable sources that elderly
prostitutes generally smoke ganja.
vol. v.
2 H 2