207
28. (a) ¾ tola, costing three pies.
(b) Three tola, costing an anna.
29. V ide answer 15. It is not known that
dhatura is so used.
30. (a) Can't say.
(b) Chiefly males, 20 to 40.
(c) Very rarely, except as medicine.
31. Yes to all the queries.
32. Bhang is prepared by Bandilis, Rajputs,
and Mahrattas on the last day of Dessara (Durga-
puja), and worshipped before being used by the in-
mates and friends. It is also used at funeral
ceremonies of such as were consumers of it when
alive. Among the males on the day of the cere-
mony some is placed in the grave and some given
to the assembled guests, at least such of them as
are consumers. It is an essential part of the above
ceremonies. It is also used at weddings, but it is
not essential. The use of the drug on the above
occasions is often carried to excess, but I can't say
whether it is likely to lead to the formation of the
habit.
33. Ganja and bhang.—The practice is un-
doubtedly looked down on from a social point of
view, and I attribute this chiefly to the fact that
the consumers are so largely of the poorest and
most wretched classes, who can't afford more
ex-pensive stimulants, such as arrack and opium. I
know of no custom of worshipping the hemp
plant, but believe it is held in a certain sort of
veneration by some classes.
34. A very serious privation indeed to the
poorest classes, who can only afford this cheap
form of stimulant.
35. (a) Very difficult.
(b) Yes.
(c)
By increasing the already enormous staff
of the Salt and Abkari Department.
(d) Yes.
(e)
Not is this presidency.
(f) Probably.
36. No, I believe that, broadly speaking, those
who have adopted the hemp drug habit have done
so chiefly because they cannot afford alcohol.
37 to 39. Don't know.
40. Considerably. Both the Hindu and Muham-
madan doctors largely use ganja in their medicines
for various diseases. Ganja mixed with water is
given to cows which will not allow themselves to
be milked. The ganja is also given to women in
protracted labour pains.
41. Majum is said to assist digestion, to give
staying-power, and to act as febrifuge. In
diarrhœa it is also said to be used. I refer to
moderate use.
42. The moderate use of the drug I consider
harmless, and often even beneficial for the pur-
poses mentioned in the preceding answer. Alcohol
or opium might be preferable, but many who use
the ganja drugs can't afford the more expensive
stimulants mentioned.
43. Yes, as a rule.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use
in the habitual consumer is that he is refreshed,
slightly intoxicated, and his appetite increased.
The effects of a smoke are said to last for an
hour, and those of a drink of bhang for three or
four hours. The want of ganja causes great
uneasiness, and a man deprived of his smoke loses
his appetite and desire for food, and cannot settle
his mind to anything till he gets his smoke.
45 and 46. So far as I can gather, the habitual
moderate use of ganja does not produce any
bad effects: the danger lies in the excessive
use of the drug. The excessive use of ganja
makes a man lose all self-respect, abandon his
usual business, and live by begging. It also
brings on insanity. A peon of this department
from being a moderate habitual consumer, became
an habitually excessive consumer, was dismissed,
and is now wandering about Kurnool begging
what food he can and spending any money obtain
ed in ganja. A man of the Balija caste of
Atmakur was sent into Kurnool insane from the
same cause. He was kept under observation in
the Kurnool jail and recovered in about a month.
After his liberation he took to the drug again,
and now is quite off his head again wandering
about Kurnool. A police constable, Tippana, is
also wandering about begging in Kurnool insane
from the same cause after deserting his appoint-
ment. Another man of the Balija caste, Kula-
nagalingam, went off his head from ganja smok-
ing, was kept in the Kurnool jail for three months
without any good results, and was afterwards
sent to Madras, whence he returned cured. After
nine or ten months he took to the drug again,
with the result that he is again insane, begging
about. This man was a fairly well off trader
before taking to ganja.
47 and 48. Not as far as I can learn.
49 and 50. Opinions differ. The excessive
habitual use is said to produce impotence.
51 and 52. Can't say.
53. I think the excessive use of the drug leads
to unpremeditated crime. A pensioned sepoy of
Kurnool, who was an excessive habitual smoker,
when under the influence of the drug, murdered
his daughter-in-law, her brother, and sister, and
I have heard of other eases just as one hears of
such being the effect of excessive indulgence in
alcohol.
5 4 t o 5 7 . C a n ' t a n s w e r .
58. With regard to the questions in chapter
VII, I am acquainted with the present system of
excise administration in this presidency in respect
of hemp drugs, and I do not think the consump-
tion is large enough in this presidency to call for
any further interference than that now in force.
Oral evidence.
I have been twenty-five years in the service, and
am Deputy Commissioner of Abkari and salt in
the Central Division. I have been thirteen years
in this Department.
Question 7.— I have not seen any of the culti-
vation referred to in my answer No. 7. What
I have said is based on the statements of
subordinates. I have never seen field cultivation
in my life. I have only seen a few plants in
back-yards.
Question 45.—The cases of insanity quoted
here were merely reported to me by my Inspector
at Kurnool. I have not seen any of them. The
Inspector has no medical knowledge.
Question 59.—I think that cultivation is here so
small that the extra expense and what I may