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33. The consumption of any of these drugs is
generally regarded with suspicion : only the
chaubes socially consider the practice of bhang
eating and drinking good. There is, however, no
religious necessity for it. The use of narcotic is
held generally disrespeetable, for it muddles the
brain and weakens the intellect, and when such
is the case a man who uses narcotics must commit
actions far from being acceptable, and is therefore
viewed as detestable by the people.
34. It would go hard for a man if he gives up
at once the deep-rooted habits of taking any of
these drugs, but he can, of course, abandon it by and
by. I cannot quote any instance in which men have
suffered serious privation in leaving off the habit.
35. Prohibition is feasible. The drug cannot
be used illicitly if hard-and-fast rules are laid
down. Prohibition can be enforced by enactment
of an Act. There would be some discontent, but
it will not last long. There can be no political
danger unless religious feelings are interfered
with. Yes ; a measure to abolish stimulants may
be apprehended, since the people seem to be fer-
vently inclined towards wine; hut apparently there
is no fear of the use of other drugs.
36. The use of bhang is generally, though
secretly among those who have religious scruples,
substituted for that of wine. While ganja and
charas are openly superseded by opium smoking.
The evidence for the use of wine and opium
smoking in excess is the increase in the contract
for their sale. Formerly there never existed so
many liquor and chandu shops as at present.
37. The effect of charas is stronger than that
of ganja ; it is productive of bronchitis and
asthma, and leads in the end to impotency.
38. All the species of ganja lead to bowelish
affections and impotency, but baluchar is stronger
than murra, and murra than chur.
39. As far as I know, bhang is only eaten or
drunk, and ganja and charas only smoked. It
cannot be said, therefore, with certainty whether
smoking of all these will be less injurious than
eating or drinking.
40. Yes. Bhang is sometimes used for medical
purposes, and it is very largely administered in
the treatment of cattle diseases.
41. (a) Bhang if moderately used on occasions
and not habitually taken is stimulant but never
digestive.
(b) None of the drugs has staying-power or
alleviates fatigue.
(c) It is not proved that any of these drugs
are febrifuge or preventive of malarious diseases.
(d). The native hakims use bhang often for
the purpose of snuffing, rubbing over the body,
and bathing. Persons of all rank use bhang
occasionally for the purposes set forth in (a) and
(d) ; but charas and ganja, except being intoxi-
cating, serve no end.
42. Habitually, if used even in moderation,
the drugs are never harmless. No book on medi-
cine I have read ever recommends the use of the
drugs.
43. Never.
44. At the outset the effect of bhang is rather
refreshing if taken moderately, but for a habitual
consumer nothing but intoxication is the only
result. It is also for a time productive of appe-
tite. It has no after-effects, nor does the want
of subsequent gratification produce any longing
or uneasiness. Charas and ganja produce no
effect save that of intoxication as far as I know.
45. (a) Yes, it does.
(b) Yes, the constitution is seakened.
(c) Bhang injures digestion, and charas and
ganja cause loss of appetite.
(d) Ganja and charas produce bronchitis and
asthma.
(e) All the three drugs impair the moral sense
and induce laziness; but though at first they
tend towards forming the habits of immorality
and debauchery, they render impotent in the end.
(f) The use of the drugs deadens the intellect
and produces temporary insanity; but the symp-
toms are reinduced by the use of the drugs after
liberation from restraint. Insanity by the use
of those drugs is in my opinion due to weakness
of mind and brains as well as to deficiency in
self-control through weakened intellect. Two
cases of insanity caused by the examination of
bhang, charas, and ganja came under my treat-
ment. In both of these were found symptoms
of melancholia, fear, sleeplessness, loss of appe-
tite, and taciturnity. The effects remained for
six months, after which a perfect recovery was
effected. Whenever after this the use of any of
the intoxicating drugs was made, the symptoms
aforesaid generally reappeared.
46. The habitual excessive use of any of these
drugs leads to a more powerful degree of insanity
by causing the loss of the senses and weakening
the intellect.
47. There is no reason to believe that the effect
of any of these drugs is hereditary, nor does the
habitual moderate use affect the children of the
consumer in any way.
49. Bhang is at first aphrodisiac, but subse-
quently its effects are quite the contrary. Charas
and ganja are in no way aphrodisiac. The prosti-
tutes sometimes use bhang for intoxication, but
ganja and charas are very rarely used by them.
Really the use of the drug is very injurious and
produces impotency.
50. But the excessive use leads to impotency
is proved beyond doubt. Almost all the old
physicians agree in the statement, and experience
confirms it.
51. The bad characters themselves often use
intoxicating drugs very little, but they generally
administer them to persons on whom they crimi-
nally wish to lay their hands.
53. No, as far as I know.
54. No.
55. Perhaps, but no case in the district ever
came to my notice. I do not think anything is
mixed with ganja and charas, but bhang with
the admixture of dhatura renders one insensible,
but not completely stupefied.
56. The effect of bhang mixed with aniseed
and pepper, together with milk and sugar, is
rathar modified if taken moderately, but the ad-
mixture of dhatura intensifies the effect and pro-
duces insensibility. As to ganja and charas, I
do not think anything is mixed with them. Ex-
cess is always injurious.
57. Ganja and charas, as far as my knowledge
goes, are only smoked, and never eaten or drunk.