170
meat were suddenly to command that no man
should ever consume beer, wine, or spirits. I
think that it would result in very deep discontent,
though it is too much to say that it would amount
to a political danger in these parts, because the
consumers of the drugs are in a minority. It
would be felt as an utterly unreasonable attack on
a man's liberty to please himself so long as he
does no harm to others. Prohibition to consume
these drugs would probably lead to increased con-
sumption of alcoholic stimulants and other drugs.
36. I gather not, but on the contrary that the
drugs are being substituted for alcohol.
39. Tahsildars all think that smoking is more
deleterious than eating or drinking, because it
appears to affect the lungs.
40. All Tahsildars say that native doctors pre-
scribe ganja for diseases of both men and cattle.
41. The majority of Tahsildars consider that
moderate use is beneficial. The only two Brahmin
Tahsildars in the district aver that it is never
beneficial, but always hurtful. My own opinion
is that it has a distinct effect as a febrifuge in
feverish tracts, and that natives often use it for
that purpose. For instance, the people in the
Godavari district, which is feverish, are great
consumers of tobacco. In the streets of Coconada
the smell of tobacco-smoke is everywhere. Child-
ren are made to smoke, and the reason probably is
that the natives believed smoking to be a good
preventive against fever. I think they consume
these drugs for the same reason, very often.
43. I think so, quite. So do all the Tahsildars,
except one, a Brahmin.
44. Moderately used it is refreshing. It is
slightly intoxicating, allays hunger, increases
appetite; effects last about six hours ; want of
subsequent gratification produces a longing and
uneasiness. In fact it is very like alcohol in its
effects, when alcohol is taken moderately.
45. Opinions differ, but I think that the
general belief is that moderately used, the drug
produces no noxious effects. It all depends on
how much is taken. One Tahsildar of much
experience says that moderate consumers find that
the drug excites the mental faculties and enables
a man to concentrate his attention on a subject
that he wishes to study. Similarly it is said to
be of great effect in enabling a religiously-minded
man to concentrate his attention on religious sub-
jects, and isolate his thoughts from things around
him.
46. Habitual and excessive use produces all the
bad effects mentioned in question No. 45. It
produces languor and insensibility to what is going
on. I have frequently spoken to men, as witness-
es, or in village streets, who seem unable to under-
stand questions or frame answers, who seem as if
their faculties were all asleep, and this has been
accounted for by the remark by a bystander, or
some one in court, that the man is under the
influence of ganja or bhang.
49. All Tahsildars, except one, say that it
is so.
51. I believe that the drug is constantly con-
sumed by criminals in order to deaden their
feelings and excite them, but whether use for such
purposes would be moderate or excessive, I cannot
say. Probably not immoderately, for that would
cause drowsiness and laziness.
53. I believe not. All my Tahsildars say that
it does not have this effect.
55. Yes; constantly when they want to rob
their victims completely and effectually, but
without personal injury to them. In these days
thuggee is non-existent, but the thugs dealt
largely in these drugs; and lesser criminals often
find them very useful. I am told that complete
stupefaction is only attained by admixture.
58. The present system is vend rent, licenses
being issued for sale publicly in shops. I think
it is working well.
59. 1 see no need for change.
60 to 63. See answers to 3,14 and 16 above. I
do not see how control is possible. We cannot pry
into every man's backyard and see what he is
doing there. To try and obtain a Government
monopoly (like salt) would necessitate an immense-
ly expensive staff of officials, and the enhance-
ment of cost would be excessively unpopular for
no compensating advantage.
63. None.
64. None.
65. Yes.
66. I see no reason for any change in the
present system.
67. No.
68. Shops are licensed, and consumption on
premises is not forbidden. I see no reason to
make a change. I have never had any complaints
of rioting or gambling or misconduct in those shops.
69. Yes
. Y e s .
70. None.
7. Eviclence of MR. H. M. WINTERBOTHAM, Collector of Tanjore.
1. I have twenty-four years' experience as a
revenue and magisterial officer in nine districts.
Locally I have consulted the divisional officers,
medical subordinates, missionaries, licensed ven-
dors of bhang and others.
2. On actual inspection of the shops, I find
that " flat ganja" is the only form of hemp used
as raw material. It is simply called ganja.
3. The hemp plant is not cultivated in Tanjore.
Stray plants may be found here and there in
gardens. The wild hemp plant is not found to
the best of my information.
4. It is only known as ganja shedi, 'the hemp
plant.'
7. No.
14. Ganja is imported. Charas is unknown.
Bhang is not sold, but the local shopkeepers say
it is prepared from flat ganja by some consumers
in their own houses.
15. Flat ganja is imported ready prepared.
Its subsequent treatment is described in answer
29.
16. The local shopkeepers (licensed vendors
of ganja) say that bhang is a liquid, prepared by
mixing ganja with milk, sugar, pepper and spice.
In this form it is only prepared for private con-
sumption, and not for sale.
17. Our licensed vendors (of whom there are
16) are Hindu Sudras (Naiks, Pillais, Chettis