440
Son, if does not indulge in bhang, is not a son but
a daughter.
Bhang consumers can abstain from it without
much unpleasant effect, and is said to be the least
prejudicial of all the intoxicating beverages used.
Among the Akalis, Nehangs and fakirs in
charge of shrines and temples, the habit from
moderation to excess is easily formed. The former
acquire the habit purposely, and offer to their
visitors as a sort of entertainment, or it is offered
by the visitors who prepared the same. The same
applies to charas.
32. On Shivratri day, which falls in February
each year, bhang is used in small quantities by
Shivites after it is offered to Shiva, and from this
custom alone its name, Shiv-ki buti, is derived, and
this is considered religious. Socially, bhang in
different forms is used on the occasion of "Holi"
days, etc. It is temperate, and does not lead to
the formation of habit, nor it is otherwise injurious.
33. Different sects of fakirs think it a part of
their religious duty to take a dose to compose their
mind and thought, as other intoxicants, such as
spirituous liquors, are strictly prohibited (except in
one or two sects, i.e., Suthras and Jogis), accord-
ing to their religious beliefs.
Charas is rather in disrepute, especially in its
large doses, when it becomes abuse, as it then has
a tendency of deteriorating health mentally and
physically; otherwise the consumers of hemp
drags being inoffensive, no sentiment of disrepute
is attached to them.
Bhang plant is never worshipped, at least in this
province, as far as I know.
34. It would undoubtedly be a serious privation,
especially to fakirs, Nehangs, Akalis and Pandas
and Brahmins, because the majority of them
cannot use alcohol, which is strictly forbidden,
socially and religiously.
Regarding the probable number of each class
who will suffer, I beg to refer to No. 26.
35. The Indians as a rule being a law-abiding
people, it is feasible to prohibit the use of these
drugs, and in very rare instances it would be con-
sumed illicitly; but such a course will lead to
serious discontent amongst the classes which use
them, and in a way the said classes have more or
less a hold on the general public.
Again, its prohibition may be followed by re-
course to more harmful narcotics, such as dhatura
and muddak or alcohol; the latter amongst classes
who can use it.
36. It is a known fact that formerly the people
were more bound to orthodox doctrines, when the
use of alcohol was considered more degrading, both
socially and religiously, and therefore the other
innocent narcotics were brought into use; but now-
adays, in upper classes, the use of bhang is con-
sidered below their social position, and therefore
alcohol was substituted; but even the use of this
latter is now falling off, especially in the educated
community, which is due to liberal English educa-
tion—one of the great blessings of British Govern-
ment.
37 and 38. Not known.
39. Bhang drinking is the least injurious. This
way of its use hardly contributes any additions to
the inmates of the lunatic asylums. Charas smok-
ing is less injurious than when taken internally,
because the internal dose is limited to about one
grain, while it can be smoked in much larger
quantities without any ill consequences.
40. Bhang in its different forms is prescribed
by the school of native doctors in cases of dys-
pepsia, bowel complaints, piles, and during cholera
epidemic as prophylactic. Snuff prepared from its
leaves is prescribed in the affections of head and
nose. Decoction of leaves destroys human para-
sites, i.e., lice, maggots in the ear, and relieves
earache. Internally the leaves act as stomachic,
diuretic and astringent.
The poultices prepared from the leaves and
young stalks act as anodyne and narcotics, and are
useful in inflammations, rheumatic affections,
orchitis and hydrocele.
Seeds are said to be useful in flatulency, and
also act as stimulant and astringent.
Oil from the seeds is used in earache to secure
relief from agonies of rheumatism, painful in-
flammations, glandular enlargements, and chronic
indurations or enlargement of the womb.
In cattle diseases bhang is prescribed as vermi-
cide to destroy maggots in sores, and also to free
the water affected with nose worms.
Charas in small doses is used to deaden pain of
chronic rheumatism and as an aphrodisiac.
41. Bhang is used (a) for digestion; (b) for
giving staying-power under severe exertion or ex-
posure and to alleviate fatigue ; (c) as a mild febri-
fuge and preventive of diseases, especially cholera
and summer and hill diarrhoea and other bowel
complaints during the unhealthy season"; and (d)
to deaden the pain of surgical operations, such as
circumcision.
For circumcision it is only used by the Muham-
madans, and for other purposes by almost all the
classes, particularly during the epidemics, and I
refer to moderate occasional use of the drug.
Charas is used to protect one from the severity
of winter cold.
42. Moderate use, especially of bhang in its
various forms, is harmless and beneficial. Hardly
a case is known where the consumer was quarrel-
some or offensive to his family members or the
neighbours.
Charas in moderation also does not induce the
smokers to become quarrelsome or offensive.
43. Yes.
44. After drinking bhang, inebriation com-
mences after about half an hour or so, and lasts
from three to four or more hours. The duration or
inebriation of course depends on the quantity, quality
and previous habits, during which period the. man
laughs, jokes, talks, and there is a feeling of re-
freshing happiness or sorrowfulness. Sensations
and feeling of flying to the skies or revolving of
earth, aphrodisiac desire, voracious appetite, and
then falls into sleep, but is not followed by any
costiveness or any of ill effects, such as headache
giddiness, weakness, etc.
Majum or butter are more fascinating in their
effects, and generally produce similar sensations.
Want of subsequent gratification may bring on
slight uneasiness or longing for the draught;
but, generally speaking, they can abstain without
any unpleasant effects, and is the least prejudicial
of all the intoxicants generally in use.
45. (a) Moderate habitual use of bhang is pro-
bably quite free from any noxious effects—physi-
cally, morally or mentally.