209
80. Bhang is used in solitude, whereas ganja
and charas are used in company. Boys do not
use any of these three drugs.
81. The habit of consuming ganja, charas and
bhang is easily formed, and the habit can be
easily broken. But any of the above drugs can
be wholly left off after using it for some time.
The moderate habit can be developed into the
excessive by means of company.
32. There is no custom, social or religious, in
regard to the consumption of any of these drugs.
33. The use of bhang is generally regarded as
useful to digestion of meal as well as to give rest
in fatigue. Among the gentries ganja and
charas are regarded with disrepute. The hemp
plant is never worshipped.
34. The fakirs will suffer if they forego its
consumption. Ganja is useful to the people of
the district where the climate is so cold that if
they will forego they will suffer.
35. It would be feasible to prohibit the use of
either ganja or charas. It will not be consumed
illicitly. The prohibition can be enforced through
police preventing its plantation. It will cause
discontent, but there can be no political danger.
(a) and (b) No.
36. Those who drink wine as well as ganja,
bhang and charas can remain content with wine
only if they forego consumption of these drugs,
37. Ganja produces phlegm and cough, and
patients suffering from cough and asthma have
come under my treatment. Bhang is in no way
injurious, but is useful in diarrhœa and piles.
39. Whatever is smoked is injurious. There
is no other form of consuming ganja and charas
than smoking. Bhang, if reduced to powder and
mixed with water and taken, is useful.
40. In native medical books bhang is pre-
scribed along with other medicines in spleen
diseases, piles and dyspepsia. I have not seen
the mixture of ganja and charas in any medical
books. In health as well as illness, bhang is
given to cattle, such as bullocks, horse and
elephants.
(a) Bhang is digestive.
(b) Bhang alleviates fatigue.
(c) As preventive in piles.
Hindu and Muhammadan by 25 per cent. use
bhang as digestive, and by 10 per cent. during
illness.
42. Ganja and charas are injurious.
43. Inoffensive to their neighbours.
44. Those who take ganja and charas are im-
mediately affected, and those who take bhang
feel its effect after 15 minutes.
58. Working well.
59 to 61. No.
143. Evidence of HAKIM RAM CHANDRA, Mahajan, Medical Practitioner, Agra.
1. Forty years' practice in Agra.
19. Smoked. They are also used as flavouring
for sweetmeats.
Bairagis and fakirs are the largest consumers
of ganja ; labourers, of charas.
23. Never.
24. Chaubes mostly drink bhang. Bhang is
eaten very little.
25. The use of all drugs is on the increase,
especially bhang, which is used as an appetizer.
31. The habit is easily formed and easily
broken off. The habit goes on increasing.
32. There are no caste or religious customs.
33. Consumption of ganja and charas is gene-
rally disreputable ; bhang less so.
34. There would be no serious privation.
36. No stimulant is being used as a sub-
stitute.
37. The effect of charas is greater than that of
bhang.
40. Bhang is largely prescribed in the books
and is used in cattle disease.
41. Bhang is used as an appetizer.
43. No.
44. Charas makes the breathing quick. Ganja
has the same to a less extent. All have the
effect of intoxication.
45. Charas and ganja produce weakness,
anæmia, and various diseases. Excessive use
produces insanity.
47. Not hereditary. The children of consum-
ers are feeble. This refers to both ganja and
bhang.
49. Not used as an aphrodisiac.
55. Charas can produce complete insensibility.
57. Charas is sometimes given to eat in order
to produce insensibility.
59. I would have the price raised very high
so as to prevent its use.
144. Evidence of HAKIM MUKARRAB HUSEN KHAN, Sayid, Physician, and Member
Municipal Board, Meerut.
1. My information regarding hemp drugs comes
from seeing and treating those who have come
under their influence, in the ordinary course of my
business.
2. Bhang is known as sabzi, sabza bunti,
thandai, falak-ser, dudhia, work-ul-khiyal, nishat
afza, falaktaz.
Charas, also known as sulfa, comes from Ladakh,
Kandahar and Bokhara, also Khatmandu in Nepal.
The latter kind is known as "Momia," but is not
used in Meerut.
3. I have seen it growing in Meerut, Naini
Tal, Mussoorie, and Saharanpur.
4. Vide No. 2. The same plant is referred to.
5. I have usually seen it in sandy soil, but
have not observed the conditions necessary for its
growth.
7. I know of none,
15. The leaves of the bhang plant are pounded
up in a little water, and then more water is added
for drinking the preparation.
vol. v.
2 H