446
When he is all right he does his work very well
and speaks very civilly to everybody. The first
symptoms of the disease are shown by his consider-
ing himself a king or a god and by his going to
Marghat, a place near Jamna river where Hindus
burn their dead bodies.
42. Evidence * of HOSPITAL ASSISTANT JASSU RAM, Arora, Dera Ghazi Khan Dis-
pensary.
1. I am serving in the Dera Ghazi Khan district
as native doctor since the last thirty years. My
information is based on local knowledge and on
personal experience gained by coming in contact
with the general public.
2. In this district bhang is known by the names
(1) bijia and (2) sawi. The plant with the seed in
it is used here, and not the one without seed.
Cultivators, however, mix both for sale. The male
plant gives strong intoxication, and the female
plant is * called " khidar." Charas is not manufac-
tured in this district, but is available for sale in the
Hoshiarpur district, and therefore nothing is known
about its manufacture. Ganja is neither prepared
nor consumed or sold here.
19. Charas is only smoked in a kuka, and is
not put to any other use.
23. Bhang is never smoked.
28. The average allowance per diem is as fol-
lows :—
Habitual moderate consumers.
Habitual excessive consumers.
Bhang.
6 mashas.
1 chittack.
Charas.
6 ratis.
1 tola.
29. Ordinarily nothing is mixed with bhang,
but in special cases almonds, cardamoms, aniseed,
pepper, musk, melon seeds, milk and sugar-
candy. These ingredients are mixed to mitigate
its dryness and to increase the intoxication. On
the day of the Shivratri festival dhatura is mixed
with bhang in temples, and it is distributed to the
priests and visitors in small doses.
Charas is smoked with tobacco.
30. Bhang and charas are largely used in com-
pany, but much less in solitude. The use of bhang
is confined to labourers in this district. Prostitutes
and also women of ilaka Rojhan often use bhang.
These drugs are rarely used by children. The con-
sumers of these drugs are generally young people;
but as they become habituated to their use, they
cannot give up the habit when they get old.
31. The habit is formed in company. If any
one continues to take the drugs for a month or so,
the habit is formed. It is not difficult to forego it.
There is a tendency for the moderate habit to
develop into the excessive.
32. Bhang is largely consumed by the Hindus
on the occasion of Shivratri (a day set apart for the
worship of Shiva) and by the Muhammadans on
Id and other festivals. In the hot weather its con-
sumption as a cooling beverage is generally among
the two communities. With the exception of the
habitual moderate consumers, who take excessively
on the above-said occasions, the drug is used in
moderation. This occasional use does not lead to
the formation of habit, nor does it do any harm,
except that it produces languor and forgetfulness.
Charas is smoked excessively by the Hindu men-
dicants worshipping Shiva on the Shivratri festival,
and by the Muhammadans, fakirs and Sayads on
the occasion of Id and other fairs.
36. The substitution of alcohol for bhang and
charas depends on circumstances of the consumers.
When they grow rich, they feel inclined for drink-
ing. The tendency to substitute alcohol for bhang
and charas is very little in this district on account
of the religious and social restrictions. Some con-
sumers of bhang and charas have, however, taken
to drinking since they have become rich.
37. The effects of bhang drinking are different
from those resulting from charas smoking. Bhang
in the beginning sharpens appetite, while charas
allays it. The former is cooling, while the latter
is arid and heating.
39. The majum, which is prepared from bhang
by mixing it with poppy, ghi and sugar, is more
intoxicating than bhang.
40. Bhang is used by native physicians to cure
kidney and venereal diseases. It is also used in the
treatment of cattle.
41. The occasional moderate use of bhang is
beneficial as accessory of food and digestive. The
habitual consumer, however, does not feel appetite
unless he has taken the dose. In reality it causes
loss of appetite. The dose is also beneficial in giv-
ing staying-power under severe exertion or exposure,
and alleviating fatigue. The consumer, while
under the influence of the drug, does not feel incon-
venient under hard labour, though his strength is
actually diminishing. Bhang is sometimes used in
order to avoid the effects of unwholesome water and
of unfavourable climate.
42. The occasional moderate use of the drug is
beneficial for the purposes mentioned above. The
habitual use is, however, injurious. The moderate
use of bhang or charas certainly produces laziness
and carelessness.
44. The moderate use of bhang is exhilarating
and cooling. It also sharpens the appetite. The
intoxication commences within half an hour of the
dose and lasts for one hour. The moderate use of
charas at once intoxicates the habitual consumers,
and then allays his hunger. The intoxication lasts
for 15 minutes. Some physical uneasiness is felt
if the dose of bhang or charas is not procurable at
the usual time.
45. The habitual moderate consumer of bhang
becomes emaciated if he fails to get rich diet. In
every case the habitual use of the drug induces
laziness and debauchery. This drug is regarded as
destructive of intellect. It is generally seen that
the brain becomes weak if the consumer fails to get
good diet in sufficient quantity. The excessive con-
sumption produces cowardice and sometimes in-
sanity. Charas-smoking causes asthma, loss of
appetite, and brain diseases. It also induces de-
bauchery.
46. The excessive charas-smoking dims the eye-
sight, causes general debility. The same is the
case with bhang. Laziness and forgetfulness fol-
low as a matter of course. The excessive consumer
of bhang or charas cannot even earn his livelihood
to satisfy his wants.
* Translation.