159
special occasions, or under exceptional circum-
stances, by habitual consumers.
The drugs are not sold mixed with dhatura or
any other admixtures. But those who require
to produce exceptional intoxication, mix ganja and
charas together, and if that does not suffice, add
dhatura, Dhatura is also mixed with bhang to
produce the same effect, and sometimes insensi-
bility.
30. Bhang is seldom used in company; while
ganja and charas are as seldom smoked in soli-
tude. But habitual consumers of the last two
drugs sometimes smoke when alone. The use of
none of these drugs is confined to the male sex;
females (generally of the lower classes or of ill-
repute) are now and then seen to use them. Per-
sons who have not attained puberty are seldom
found to indulge in the use of these drugs. But
the children (almost always male) of fakirs and
vagabond mendicants are sometimes seen to get
into the habit of using these drugs as soon as or
soon after they pass their childhood. It is,
however, not usual for children to do so.
31. Yes, by association in the case of ganja
and charas. It is not difficult to break off at
once for moderate consumers; and in the case of
habitual excessive consumers, they feel a certain
craving for the drug, and uneasiness, lassitude,
and languor for a fortnight or a month for want
of their daily allowance, after which they do not
much feel the want of it. The moderate habit
has sometimes a tendency to develop into a habit
of excess.
32. There are Hindu customs both in Bengal
and the North-Western Provinces and Oudh in
regard to the use of bhang during the Durga
Puja and the Holi festivals, respectively. In
Bengal bhang, triturated and dissolved very freely
with water and mixed with bhang massala, as
described above (i.e., thandai), is served out in
very small quantities only on the last day of the
Durga Puja, when after the submersion of the
idol in the evening, friends, acquaintances and
relations visit each other with greetings. In the
North-Western Provinces and Oudh the custom
is exactly the same, only it is observed during the
Holi, and majum instead of thandai is generally
preferred. The custom is religiously observed as
essential in Bengal, and, as far as I know, also in
the North-Western Provinces and Oudh. The
use of bhang on such occasions is always moderate
and temperate, and is neither injurious, nor likely
to lead to the formation of the habit. I know of
no custom with reference to ganja and charas.
36. Yes; to a certain extent. I attribute the
substitution of alcohol to the more advanced ideas
and enlightened views held by young men and.
others in imitation of European habits. I have
known some instances where people have prefer-
red alcohol, and would use it rather than any
form of hemp if they had the necessary funds or
opportunity.
37. The effects of charas-smoking are lighter,
more pleasant, and shorter in duration than those
of ganja-smoking. The charas smoker feels
exhilarated and cheerful and gay, is inclined to
find humour and comicality in all his surroundings,
becomes very polite and courteous, and sometimes
benevolent and generous; while the ganja smoker
feels exhilarated but not cheerful, is disinclined to
talk, and becomes rather rough is manner and
temper. Ganja is stronger, charas is mild. The
effects of bhang-drinking are much milder than
those of charas-smoking.
39. The drinking of bhang is the least inju-
rious. Charas-smoking is more harmful, but
less so than ganja smoking. The eyes and chest
of the habitual excessive ganja smoker become
contracted, hollow and sunken; the whole form
becomes emaciated and wrinkled, and sometimes
bent. The lungs and liver become impaired, and
not unfrequently subject to disease. Charas-smok-
ing has similar effects but much less in intensity.
The charas smoker has no such faded look as the
ganja smoker. One might come across a plump
charas smoker of the better class, but no ganja-
smoker even of the better class will be found
so. It requires a very prolonged course of indul-
gence in the most excessive use of bhang to
produce similar results. As regards tendency to
produce insanity, see answer to question 46.
40. Yes, so far as I know, both by baids and
hakims. Native baids and fakirs and sadhus
also frequently use bhang in the process of oxidis-
ing certain metals. Bhang is also externally
used as an anodyne in the form of poultice and
other applications. It is also prescribed by
Hindu baids practising in villages in the interior
in cases of cholera. For such uses of ganja, vide
answer to question 19. Ganja and bhang are
both used in the treatment of cattle disease; but
I do not know about charas. Hemp possesses
anti-spasmodic and anodyne properties.
41. The moderate use of any form of hemp may
be beneficial in its effects—
(a) As a digestive.
(b) To give staying-power and to alleviate
fatigue.
(c) As a preventive of disease in malarious
and unhealthy tracts.
I refer to the moderate habitual use. The
classes of people who habitually use them are
labourers, agricultural or other, fakirs, and those
who are liable to exposure and hard labour.
42. I consider the moderate use of the drugs
to be harmless for reasons given in answer to
question 41.
44. The immediate effects of the moderate use of
any of these drugs on the habitual consumer are
productive of a slight intoxication accompanied
with exhilaration of spirits and refreshment (see
also answer to question 37). Instead of allaying
hunger, it creates a good appetite. The effects
last for one to two hours. To a slight extent
the after-effects produce a sort of lassitude.
The want of subsequent gratification hardly
produces any longing or uneasiness.
45. As far as my experience and knowledge
go, I have never known any noxious effects pro-
duced by the habitual moderate use of any of
the three drags.
46. Continued and habitual excessive use of
any form of hemp does produce noxious effects.
Ganja and charas produce noxious effects phy-
sically, mentally, and morally as well. Bhang,
however, does not blunt the moral sense; while
it impairs the physical and sometimes the mental
faculties also. Ganja, charas and bhang, used
habitually in excessive quantities, impairs the
constitution by producing premature wrinkles in
the face, sunken eyes, hollow cheeks, sunken
chests, emaciated forms, and a faded withered
look. It impairs and injures the digestion, as
no food can be eaten with relish or good appetite.
It does cause, after a long course of indulgence,
dysentery, bronchitis, as well as asthma.
Ganja and charas impair the moral sense; but