370
29. Generally tobacco is mixed with the ganja,
and spices, sugar, and milk are mixed with the
charas and bhang. These are mixed with the
drug either to make it cool or palatable. Bhang
massala is a mixture of many kinds of spices and
is sold to be mixed with bhang.
30. Most of the smoking and drinking seems
to be done in solitude, but there are public places
of resort where the drugs are consumed in
company. The drugs are used here only by men
of middle age. But the habit is frequently begun
early in life. The lungs must be strong to stand
the drug.
31. It is easily formed and given up with diffi-
culty, and the tendency is to increase the habit.
Consumers often say they can easily give it up,
but I think they are too sanguine.
32. It is a religious habit, and is formed for the
purpose of steadying the mind for religious medi-
tation.
33. Respectable people among the Hindus say
that the habit is a bad one and dangerous. Con-
sumers generally will not at first admit that they
use the drug.
34. To moderate consumers there may not be
much privation, but to excessive users much priva-
tion will be experienced. I am told that when a
man stops using the drug, he becomes intensely
anxious for it, and after obtaining it devours it
ravenously.
35. The consumers would be troubled, but
probably no riot would occur. They would probably
use other drugs too if available.
40. They often advise the smoking of ganja
for medicinal purposes as a cure of various
troubles.
42. The use of all these drugs as a habit is
certainly harmful. We have known of cases in
which men have lost their reason entirely by using
the drug.
44. It intoxicates. It does not refresh or allay
hunger, but it makes one insensible to hunger.
Sometimes persons will go without food for several
days when taking the drug. Smokers generally
use the drug twice a day. The especial effect lasts
for about half a day. After the immediate effect
is over, the consumer is weak and often has to lie
down. Yes; after using the drug there is longing
for it again.
45. Yes ; little harm physically, mentally, and
morally is apparent. We know of two cases in
one street (one a Government peon and the other
a constable). They have both become insane from
the use of ganja. They are mere skeletons and
imbeciles. Their insanity is permanent.
They used it moderately at first, but now use it very ex-
cessively. It produces bronchial trouble in some
cases.
49. We hear that it is so used.
51. The users of ganja are not really considered
as respectable people by the best members of
Hindu society.
53. We know of a Brahmin who, while intoxi-
cated with bhang, beat his child terribly. When
he became sober, he cried bitterly with his wife
because of what he had done, and lie confessed
that he did it while intoxicated.
60. We think that the hemp plant should not be
allowed to be cultivated, except by those licensed
by Government to grow it for medicinal purposes,
if it be so required.
68. We know that there are places here where
I the drug is consumed by those who attend the
place, and yet we do not know whether they are
licensed to keep such an establishment or not. One
man of whom we know is allowed to sell the drug.
He is licensed to do so. Certainly the houses or
shops where the drugs are consumed should be
closed up, and. licenses granted only to those who
are proper authorities for selling medicinal poi-
sons.
69. The wishes of the people are not consulted
at all, as far as we know.
151. Evidence of the REV. A. MARGÖSCHIS, Medical Missionary, S. P. G., Nazareth,
Tinnevelly District.
1. I have lived alone amongst the natives for
18 years, and have been in medical charge of a
hospital and dispensary all the time.
2. The dry flowering tips and twigs can be ob-
tained.
6. Not dense in Tinnevelly, but it grows sparse-
ly.
7. Yes. Native vydians grow it for use in
their treatment of patients.
8. Not that I am aware of. There is not
much demand for it.
1 0. No special caste, but native doctors chiefly
grow the plant.
12. Yes. To a very slight extent, a few plants
are sometimes cultivated in a garden amongst
other plants.
14. Yes. Your definitions under Chapters 1 and
2 are mixed and confusing. The wild and cultiva-
ted plant can be obtained as (a) resin, (b) dry leaves
and twigs, (c) a confection.
15. See above, 14.
17. By native doctors.
18. Yes. It quite loses its effects in time.
If carefully preserved from damp and exposed to
the air it will keep for months.
19. There is very little, if any, smoking in this
district.
23. See 19.
25. There are no signs of its being on the in-
crease.
26. See 27.
27. Nearly all native doctors are moderate
habitual consumers, and they prescribe it to their
patients, who are therefore occasional moderate
consumers.
40. Yes.
41. (b) Yes.
( d ) I t i s g o o d i n n e r v o u s a n d s p a s m o d i c d i s - e a s e s , c h r o n i c r h e u m a t i s m , n e u r a l g i a , a s t h m a , d i a r r h œ a , a n d d y s e n t e r y . T h e p o o r l a b o u r i n g c l a s s e s u s e t h e d r u g a s m o d e r a t e o c c a s i o n a l c o n - u m e r s .
V. As used in this district by the majority of
consumers, it is harmless and often beneficial in
sickness.
48. Yes.