449
of Hindus and inferior classes of Musalmans use
these drugs moderately, in order to obtain refresh-
ments. There is no distinction regarding the
classes of any of the races who use these articles
occasionally in excess or moderate. As far as I
think, it is used for medicinal purposes, but all
through ignorance.
28. The average daily amount of bhang taken by
a habitual moderate consumer is from six mashas to
one ounce, and from one masha to six mashas that
of charas and ganja. The cost for bhang from half
pie to three pies per day, charas from one pie to six
pies per day. Ganja not known. That for habi-
tual excessive consumers from one ounce to two
ounces, bhang; from six mashas to two tolas,
charas and ganja per day. The costs are : bhang
from three pies to six pies per day, charas from six
pies to two annas per day, ganja not known.
But this quantity is not taken at a time; such
people take it from two to four times a day.
29. The poorer classes of people take (drink) the
bhang alone, and an addition of a few black peppers
and a little common salt is considered as a luxury
in them. The well-to-do classes mix badam, kaho,
kasni, khashkhash and sugar, in order to make it a
cooler and delicious drink. Dhatura is exceptional-
ly added with bhang and only by jogis and fakirs,
the object being to make it stronger in its effect.
The undersigned does not know whether opium, nux
vomica, cantharides or betelnut are ever used as an
admixture. No admixtures of ganja and charas are
known to the undersigned. There are not any pre-
parations known as bhang massala in this part of
country. The articles mixed here with bhang are
called thandai (cooling agents), which contain the
following ingredients, viz., badam, kaho, kulfa,
kasni, kheyaren and gulsurkh.
30. Generally speaking all the three drugs are
used in company and moderately, but speaking of
them separately, bhang stands first and charas as
second, and ganja the third or the last. Besides
this, their uses differ in extent in different parts of
the province, especially that of bhang, which is
commonly used in the hill stations and in the south-
western parts. Charas is more common in hills or
throughout the province in south-western districts,
and the ganja is nearly unknown in these localities.
All these drugs are mainly confined to the male sex,
but in exceptional cases amongst females, and speci-
ally the charas and ganja, which is taken by the
females but very rarely. In exceptional cases the
bhang is given to children, but ganja and charas
are never given to children or in any form. The
bhang is used till very old age, but ganja and
charas are hardly used above fifty.
31. Yes, the habit can easily be formed and is
not so difficult to break it off. Yes, there is a ten-
dency in all of these drugs to develop into the exces-
sive from moderate habit.
32. Actually there is no such custom, social or
religious, in regard to these drugs being consumed.
But still amongst some classes of Hindus, on some
religious festivals, the use of bhang is considered as
a religious custom. Amongst Sikhs at some of
their religious stations the bhang is used very
freely and offered to every one present there. Un-
dersigned has heard on several occasions that Guroo
Gobind Singh, the great leader of Sikhism, has
praised it on some occasions. Of course when Sikhs
were fighting against the Mughal army, they were
able to stand their fatigue, hunger and exposure to
heat and cold through the influence of bhang, and
the practice prevailing amongst Sikhs is probably
to that effect.
vol. v.
33. The consumption of these drugs is religiously
unlawful for Musalmans, Hindus generally hate its
habit, and the Sikhs are at liberty. The public
opinion of all the classes, whether social or religious,
for this practice is not in favour generally. The
reason for disrepute of the consumers is that they
are in general lazy, inattentive to their business and
always fond of bad society. Undersigned does not
know regarding the worship of the hemp plant by
any of the classes of the people.
34. It would not be a serious privation whatever
to any class of the consumers to forego the con-
sumption of the drug they use; if any, it would be
for the excessive habituals, but only the matter of a
few days, as no ill consequences are produced after
leaving the practice. The consumers generally con-
fess that after a few days' trouble they can leave
the habit altogether. The probable number of each
class has been given in question No. 26.
35. It is feasible for the Government to prohibit
the use of these drugs, excepting bhang. It would
be possible that they would be consumed illicitly
after their prohibition. The country itself produces
bhang without its cultivation, and charas is a foreign
drug whose import can be stopped by the Govern-
ment. In prohibiting these drugs no serious dis-
content is expected among the consumers; if any,
it would be for a few days. No political danger is
expected from their discontent, excepting that they
would long for it and raise a noise for a little while.
The prohibition would not be followed by recourse
to (a) alcoholic stimulants or (b) other drugs, be-
cause the former are expensive and the latter not
equal in effect.
36. No.
37. The effects of smoking the charas are nearly
the same as those of ganja, and those of the bhang
differ so much that they come on gradually and last
longer; while those of the charas and ganja come
on immediately after smoking, and are very strong
than those of the bhang and fade away very soon.
38. Ganja is rarely used in this province.
39. As the smoking of any preparations of the
hemp is speedy and stronger in effect than those
used by drinking and eating, hence the former are
more injurious than the latter.
After smoking the hemp preparations soon affect
the nervous system, so that the consumers feel
giddy and hardly able to keep up their position;
very soon after they fall down, become unconscious
for a few minutes; while by drinking and eating
of the preparations the effect is gradual and slowly
goes off. In this way a sudden change and greater
shock is rendered to the nervous system, while it is
far less in eating and drinking. The smokers are
generally found weak, anæmic and with their sickly
faces, while the constitution and general appearance
of the drinkers and eaters of bhang is not affected
to such extent. In excessive use of hemp prepara-
tions there is tendency to intellectual defects and
insanity, which is found more amongst smokers.
40. Only bhang is used in some instances for
medicinal purposes. It is supposed to increase the
appetite. Its poultice is used to allay the pains in
cases of piles, boils, abscesses and in other painful
local diseases.
The bhang is also used for the treatment of
cattle diseases in dysentery, in dyspepsia and
diarrhoea.
41. If not made a habit, then—
(a) Yes ; as a food accessory but not digestive.
(b) Yes.
3 v