78
Question 54 —I remember two cases, one in
1889 and one in 1890 or 1891. The men were
executed.
Question 55 .—My opinion is based on enquiries,
and I refer only to ganja smoking. Bhang, they
say, is never taken to such excess as to produce
stupefaction, and that it would not be possible to
rob a person while he was under the intoxication
of bhang or ganja.
40. Evidence of APOTHECARY GEORGE MURPHY
, Civil Surgeon, Mandla.
1. I am Superintendent of the local jail and have
held charge of the Native Lunatic Asylum, Calcutta.
I have also had numerous interviews with consum-
ers of the drugs.
2. Dr. Prain's definitions obtain throughout the
district. Charas is known as the resinons extract.
Its use is confined to a very few individuals in the
town, and it is not retailed by vendors. Bhang is
the dried leaves and a few capsules without stalks.
Ganja is dried flowering tops together with the
smaller leaves of the hemp, generally flatly com-
pressed, but also met with in bundles. Chur is
the semi-powdered, crushed waste which accu-
mulates in retailing both bhang and ganja.
19. Ganja is used only for smoking. But occa-
sionally the crushed waste (chur) is employed in
preparing a drink similar to the bhang draught.
This, however, is only done when bhang is not
procurable and is pronounced very injurious by old
bhang drinkers, from the resulting potent intoxi-
cation.
23. Bhang is not used to smoke, as it is too
mild in effect.
28. Ganja —(a) 1/6 to 1 tola—cost 3 pies to 2
annas, (b) 1 to 3 tolas—cost 2 to 6 annas. (The
last quantity—3 tolas—is used by exceptionally
excessive consumers). Bhang—( a ) 1/2 to 2 tolas—
cost 3 pies to 1 1/4 annas, (b) 2 to 4 tolas—cost
to 2 1/2 annas.
29. With ganja, tobacco only is used in very
small quantities.
With bhang—( a ) almonds; melon and cucumber
seeds; black pepper ; cardamom, dill, aniseed and
other spices ; sugar ; gūr ; (b) dhatura and opium
in addition to above ingredients. These drugs
are mentioned by fakirs and vendors as being
sometimes used to increase intoxication ; but no
case has been examined who indulged in these
admixtures. " Bhang massalas " are not prepared
for sale here.
30. Ganja smoking is generally carried out in
company. Very moderate, habitual smokers occa-
sionally consume the drug in private to prevent
their weakness from being publicly known. Bhang
draughts are prepared laboriously, hence its con-
sumption is more usually accomplished in private, or
amongst family members. Both habits are confined
to males, women and children not being allowed
to partake. Boys working with boatmen, or in
coolie gangs, are sometimes included in ganja
smoking bouts and become habituals.
31. The ganja habit is easily acquired but most
difficult to give up. The tendency is to regular
consumption, two or three times a day. The ordi-
nary labourer, or artisan, seldom exceeds a fixed
moderation ; but fakirs rapidly attain to excess.
32. The strolling fakir (bairagi ; prikamba-bashi)
acquires excess in ganja and bhang under the
impression that it enables him to repress sexual
desire, overcome fatigue and narrow his ideas
within religious limits. This result is only to be
attained by constant and excessive indulgence.
During " Holi " the ganja, chillum, bhang
a
draughts and majum are partaken of to remove
fatigue and create enthusiasm in the singing and
posturing processions. But these drugs are only
used by the lowest castes and as an adjunct to the
alcoholic liquors freely imbibed.
The use of the drug is not essential to any religi-
ous or secular ceremony ; but habitual consumers
often date their habit to such periods.
36. The substitution of alcohol for hemp drugs
is not appreciable. Cheapness, rapidity of effect,
and the surface warmth induced by ganja smoking
make it a special boon to Dhimars, Kachis, Koles
and other low castes who are much exposed to
climatic influences. They state that ganja enables
them to work, while alcohol or opium can only
induce enervation and sleep.
37. Ganja smoking differs from bhang drinking
in the quicker and more active intoxication produc-
ed and in the invariable mental confusion that
occurs. The moderate bhang draught permits of
clerical and mercantile work, subsequently ; whereas
ganja inhalation produces immediate intellectual
aberration, which lasts till the fumes have dissipated.
40. Bhang and charas are occasionally prescrib-
ed by local " baids" in very small doses for their
stimulating, tonic effect, and also as antispasmodics
in colic and asthma.
41. Ganja and bhang are both used as diges-
tives. Ganja is ofen smoked to allay hunger
during long journeys and to counteract the effects
of intense cold and fatigue. Neither is used for
febrifuge effect.
42. The moderate use of ganja and bhang is
practically harmless. Most of the very poor, who
are constantly subjected to excessive exertion,
insufficient food, and exposure to cold and damp,
partake of the drugs from early youth to old age
without developing any evil symptoms. Moderate
consumers of the better classes also show no signs
of bodily nor mental decay.
44. Ganja induces exhilaration, banishes fatigue,
and causes a variable amount of intoxication which
lasts from 2 to 4 hours. There is dryness of mouth
and a tingling of the body surface, very marked
in the early stages of the habit. It allays
hunger, but does not prevent the consumer from
enjoying the usual meal. The appetite is not sti-
mulated.
Bhang gradually produces a pleasant sense of
refreshment and bodily ease, with an inclination
to happy thoughts. This goes on to intoxication
and culminates in sleep. It is usually taken after
food and does not injure digestion. The effects
last from 3 to 5 or more hours.
The habitual use of both drugs produces an
appreciable amount of languor and a desire to
repeat the indulgence ; but these sensations are
easily controlled.
45. The moderate use of ganja and bhang does
not ordinarily produce any noxious effects. Ganja
sometimes causes a thickening of the mucous
lining of the throat and larynx producing chronic
catarrh. The constant mental enervation, conse-
quent on ganja inhalation even in moderate doses,
does not seem to induce further aberration, or
culminate in laziness and immoral habits.