457
Swelling (or inflammation).—One prescription in
" Yakuti," at page 96, under the letter swad.
It is similarly used in many other cases. But
its permanent or habitual use is not justifiable, as
it is injurious.
Bhang is also used in the treatment of cattle.
(For example) two half tolas of dry leaves or ten
tolas of the green leaves with a little salt and
ajvain (a species of lovage) given to cattle would
sharpen the appetite.
I know nothing about charas.
41. Bhang is food accessory and digestive. Its
use does enable the consumer to bear up under
severe exertion or labour. It also does alleviate
fatigue, and is a febrifuge. It can be of use in
several other cases, as noted in answer to question 40.
The use of bhang is beneficial in poisonous (mala-
rious) climates; and bhang and harmal are burnt
during cholera epidemics for disinfecting the air.
42. The moderate use of both bhang and charas
is far from harmless ; the use of bhang, however,
is less injurious than that of charas, because the
latter affects the heart, brain and liver.
By affecting the heart and brain it impairs the
intellect, and its effect on the liver prevents
the preparation of healthy blood. For the juice of
food which passes from the stomach to the liver in
the form of chyle is left unabsorbed owing to the
weakness of the liver; and as blood is the sole
support of the organs, they are weakened in conse-
quence. Hence is it that charas-smokers are weak,
lean and pale. I have had occasion twice or thrice
to notice smokers of charas with enlarged livers,
swollen hands and feet, and inflated bellies.
Bhang affects the brain only and not the liver;
hence the drinkers of bhang are not pale-looking.
44. Charas produces its effect immediately, and
stupor follows intoxication. It is attended some-
times with fatal consequences. The face and eyes
turn red.
Bhang does not operate immediately, but after
30 minutes. It then refreshes and slightly intoxi-
cates. It is also food accessory, unlike charas.
Charas keeps the consumers under strong in-
toxication for an hour and a half, and bhang under
light intoxication for five hours. There is a feeling
of perturbation after the intoxication is over—
more in case of charas and less in that of bhang.
45. The consumption of the drug, whether mo-
derate or excessive, is productive of evil results—
physical, intellectual and moral.
It has on many an occasion come under observa-
tion that the bodies of charas-smokers, though
stout and strong (originally), become gradually
emaciated and lean notwithstanding their taking
rich diet. Their complexion grows pale, as if no
blood were left in the body, and they become feeble.
It (charas) also impairs the intellect and affects the
understanding.
The use of bhang does not alter the complexion
of the face, but brings about all other consequences.
Unlike charas, bhang does not impair the appetite.
Diarrhoea is not induced by either bhang or
charas.
Asthma and cough are caused by charas in
consequence of its affecting the lungs.
Their use impairs the moral sense and leads to
idleness and debauchery. Bhang impairs the in-
tellect and charas destroys it altogether and brings
about insanity. Four persons have here become
insane through the use of bhang and three persons
vol. v.
through charas. It does also cause a predis-
position to insanity. One who becomes insane
through the use of bhang is very timorous and is in-
offensive to others. He fears lest some one should
kill him. Such insane persons have been seen
chattering about religious matters and are called
kntrab. Those suffering from insanity induced by
charas have been seen prating much and angrily,
even using abusive language and causing trouble.
They are styled mania (? maniacs). Insanity con-
tinues so long as the drug is used. The patient
recovers in a few days after giving up the use of
the drug. Insanity would be re-induced if the
use of the drug were again resorted to.
During early stages, while they are yet in posses-
sion of their intellect they confess their use of the
drugs.
The drug has nothing to do with the diseases of
the brain, but is most injurious, as noted already
in the foregoing part (of this answer), in connection
with its effect on the intellect.
In cases of sangrehni (a peculiar form of diarrhoea),
indeed, its habitual use is beneficial.
47. The habitual use of the drugs does not
descend to the offspring. The children of those
consuming them are, however, lazy and stupid.
49. During the early stages of the habit, bhang
and charas produce an aphrodisiac effect, and many
people resort to their use originally for carnal
pleasure. Prostitutes also use them for this pur-
pose. Their use for carnal pleasure and for retard-
ing the discharge of the semen is more injurious
than the ordinary use. For it will then increase
the desire for sexual intercourse, which will result
in the discharge of a great deal of semen; and
this discharge must debilitate the vital parts and
weaken the constitution, which must inevitably
predispose the consumer to every kind of illness.
In the end bhang and charas bring about im-
potence.
56. The moderate use of bhang is not so injur-
ious as its excessive use, which results in forget-
fulness, fear, inability to bear up cold, etc., loss of
appetite, prating, and insanity.
The moderate use of bhang is attended only by
loss of memory. The mixture of other articles
alters the effect; for instance, the mixture of
dhatura, poppy and sugar increases the intoxicating
power ; of almonds and the four kernels diminishes
the drying property ; of an acid article diminishes
the narcotic effect; of milk and sugarcandy gives
it a pleasing flavour.
Dhatura is mixed for personal use to make the
intoxicating power of the bhang stronger; it is
administered by criminal people to others for rob-
bing them.
57. So far as I know, charas is not used in this
province for eating or drinking; it is mixed in
certain medicines for retarding the discharge of the
semen. It has no other property excepting that.
In conclusion in my opinion, the habitual use of
these drugs is in no way beneficial. It is injurious
not only physically, but brings about the financial
and moral ruin of the consumer. Many families
have been ruined by it and many wealthy people have
been rendered homeless. The scions of worthies have
been reduced to beggary and brave men brought
to ruin. Genteel people have become insane, kings
have turned fakirs, and the rich poor, through its
consequences, and many a promising youth dis-
abled from achieving the end for which he seemed
to be destined.
3 Q