166
112. Evidence of MUHAMMED SHAIQ,* Sheikh, Retired Assistant Surgeon,
Gorakhpur.
1. I was for twenty-five years in charge of the
Gorakhpur Charitable Dispensary, with an atten-
dance of nearly 150 per diem. I had an extensive
private practice also. I am naturally very inqui-
sitive even for trifles. From these sources I have
gained my information.
2. These definitions may be accepted for this
district also. The different products of the hemp
are known by the same name as mentioned by
Dr. Prain.
3. In many parts of this district hemp grows
wild abundantly.
4. Hemp is known by the name of bhang or
ganja plant, Yes; they do apply to the same
plant.
5. The wild hemp grows in damp and hot cli-
mates, mixed or fluvial soil, and where there is
abundant fall of rain.
6. The growth of the wild hemp is generally
dense.
7. Hemp is not cultivated in this district of
Gorakhpur for any of its preparations, but the
leaves of the wild plant are used as subzi or
bhang.
8. No cultivation.
10. No special castes cultivate them.
12. The wild hemp is not cultivated anywhere
in Gorakhpur.
14. Only leaves are collected in this district
for bhang and nothing else.
17. By all classes.
19. Ganja and charas are used only for smok-
ing; but bhang is used as medicine also.
20. Ganja and charas are used specially by the
lower classes of people, and extensively by the
monks.
22. Foreign. Brought generally from Amber-
ser in small quantities.
23. Sometimes it is used for smoking also by
the lower classes all over the district.
24. Bhang is used for smoking, eating and
drinking, particularly for the latter; generally by
the Brahmins, Chattris and Kayasths pretty ex-
tensively.
25. On the increase; but the difference is not
much perceptible. Facility of travelling and the
consequent admixture of the various classes of
people.
26. Habitual moderate consumers are on the
increase.
27. The bhang or its artificial preparation,
majun, a kind of sweetmeat (barfi), is used by
the middle and upper classes of the Hindus. It is
used by the well-to-do and idle people, who have
an independent source of living,
28. A few pice (2 pice) per diem for the bhang,
and a little more (5 pice) for the ganja, and
charas is very seldom used.
29. Fennel and black pepper and, with the
exception of very poor, a little sugar are gene-
rally mixed with bhang by almost all classes of
people. With these a few almonds are mixed by
the rich only. Dhatura is not so used. Sugar
is generally mixed to increase its narcotic proper-
ty.
30. Bhang is sometimes used in company,
but ganja and charas are not so used, except if a
friend be present, he is also offered. With a very
few exceptions these are confined to the male
sex, and used generally after the age of puberty.
Not usual for children.
31. No; easier to break off the habit than
that of opium or spiritucus liquors. The moder-
ate habit can be developed into the excessive.
32. During the Dasahra and the Holi festivals,
bhang is very frequently used, and friends are
often invited. Its use is not regarded as essenti-
al. Generally temperate. Neither it forms the
habit, nor it is in any way injurious.
33. The use of ganja and charas are generally
regarded as indications of meanness; but bhang
is free from such stigma. Among the Muham-
madan religion the use of these or any other nar-
cotics is sinful. But in the Hindu religion,
with regard to the use of these narcotics, I have
no knowledge. The use of ganja and charas is
in disrepute, very probably being generally used
by the low castes only. Some of the lower
classes of the Hindus offer them on the shrines of
certain saints and deities.
34. It would not be a serious privation to any
class of consumers, as their use can be easily given
up without much inconvenience.
35. It would not be feasible to prohibit the use
of any or all of these drugs. The drugs will be
consumed illicitly. Certainly it would occasion
serious discontent among the consumers. The
discontent would not amount to a political dan-
ger. Very probably the prohibition would be
followed by having recourse to alcoholic stimu-
lants or others.
36. I have no knowledge.
37. As the effect produced by charas is more
powerful than that of ganja, and therefore it
is preferred.
38. Chur is the best of all, as it is free from
leaves and twigs, and consequently its effect is
more powerful.
39. The smoking of any preparation of hemp is
not less injurious than drinking of the same, as
the narcotic principle contained either in smoking
or drinking is the same in kind and quantity.
40. Bhang is used medicinally both for men
and animals, sometimes with good effects.
41. The moderate use of bhang is beneficial: (a)
it increases the appetite; and (b) gives staying-
power under severe exertions and alleviates fati-
gue; (c) yes, it is preventive.
The villagers generally in large numbers.
Moderate occasional use for (b); moderate habi-
tual use for (c).
42. The occasional or habitual moderate use is
beneficial as stated above.
43. The moderate consumers are always inoffen-
sive to their neighbours.
44. It relieves the craving and soothes the mind.
Yes; it is refreshing. Yes; it does produce intoxi-
cation, but slightly. It does allay hunger to
some extent. The moderate use of bhang creates
appetite. The effects of these narcotics last much
onger than that produced by the moderate use of
pirituous liquors. The after effects are slight
* Invited to attend at a meeting of the Commission for oral examination, but failed to appear.