171
49 Somewhat aphrodisiac. Yes; the prosti-
tutes use it as refreshing.
50. The excessive use of these drugs causes
impotence.
56. It becomes very intoxicating by mixing
dhatura with charas. No other medicine is mixed
as far as I know.
57. Ganja and charas are not caten and drunk,
except bhang, which is eaten and drunk.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.—I studied medicine in the Agra
Medical School, and have got the diploma of Hos-
pital Assistant in 1871. I smoked charas with
the police, to whom I was attached as a com-
pounder in 1861. I kept up the practice for nine
months. When I was transferred and ceased to
associate with the smokers, I dropped the habit.
Question 2.—Traders from the north bring a
liquid which is smeared upon the chillum and pro-
duces great intoxication. I have never seen this
stuff, which I have called essence of charas.
"Tnattia" is a name for bhang. It comes from
Ulwar or that direction. I have never seen this
kind of bhang that I know of.
Question 29.—I have never heard of vendors
mixing dhatura with bhang. It is the seed of
dhatura which is mixed with bhang. I never
heard of the leaves of dhatura being used.
Question 24.—The drugs are not consumed by a
very large proportion of the police. Some 10 per
cent, or 15 per cent. smoked charas when I was
with them. Some 30 or 85 per cent. drink
bhang.
Question 37.—Charas is very exhilarating. It
makes all the senses more acute for the discharge
of work. There is subsequent depression. On a
man accustomed to the drug it will not produce
giddiness; but on one who is unaccustomed to it
it produces giddiness, and all the symptoms of in-
sanity may supervene if an excessive dose is taken.
I speak from personal experience. The very first
time. I smoked I felt stupid, and a pleasurable
sensation followed, After smoking two or three
days, I got accustomed to it. Ten or fifteen days
is enough to accustom most people, so that they
feel no effects except exhilaration. Body and mind
feel active, and the appetite for sweet things is
excited. There is no appreciable effect on the
sexual organs, and it is not taken for that purpose
When I took charas, I was 18 or 19 years of age.
Question 39.—My experience in the asylum en-
ables me to say that smoking of the hemp drugs is
worse than drinking.
115. Evidence of HOSPITAL ASSISTANT MOHAMAD BUX, NO. 3, Zakhira, Bareilly.
1. 1 answer the questions through the ex
perience of my over thirty years' service.
2. Dr. Prain's definition holds good in these
provinces, except that bhang is not known by the
name of siddhi.
19. Yes.
23. No.
28. (a) Charas 10 to 20 grains consumed per
diem, which costs about 3 pies.
(b) 150 grains or more, costing nearly 2 or
2½ annas.
(a) Ganja is obtained from jungles, and 1½
chittack costs 3 pies only; it is not generally
sold in bazar here.
(6) A tola or two of ganja is consumed by
the habitual excessive consumer, which costs less
than 3 pies.
(a) Bhang—½ chittack bhang costing 3 pies.
(b) A chittack or more costing 6 pies or more.
29. (a) Tobacco with charas and ganja alone,
bhang with different refrigerants.
(b) Dhatura seeds and leaves
sometimes
with ganja in order to increase intoxication.
The object of the admixtures is to increase in-
toxication.
"Bhang massala" is called majun.
30. All are generally consumed in company,
except bhang, which often in solitude. It is
mainly confined to the male sex. In female, by
prostitutes, and in festivals by women of even
respectable families. Not usual for children, but
some in Muhammadan community give a little of
confection of bhang to a child while his Khatna
ceremonies go on for the purpose of anodyne.
81. Habit of consuming of these drugs is by
and by and easily formed, which is difficult to
break off; but less tendency to develop soon info
the excessive.
32. There is no religious custom, but bhang is
used in some Hindu festivals as Hoh, Divali,
chiefly in Shivratri, when it is thought essential
and used in excess. This occasional use does not
lead to the formation of the habit, but injurious,
owing to temporary disorder of brain caused by
it.
36. In my opinion, alcohol cannot be substi-
tuded for any of these drugs.
37. Charas and ganja affect lungs and heart,
but the former more than the latter. Yes; the
effect of bhang is milder than the above two.
39. Charas and ganja are not used otherwise,
but smoked; bhang never smoked, but drunk.
40. Charas is prescribed by native practitioners
as an antispasmodic. Bhang is used in the treat-
ment of cattle disease,
41. Moderate use of bhang may be—
(a) Beneficial in its effects, as a food.
(b) Accessory or digestive and to alleviate
fatigue.
(d) No.
42. Considering the above effects of bhang, I
should say that the moderate use of bhang is harm-
less, but not of charas and ganja.
44. The immediate effect of these drugs is in-
toxication which lasts according to the strength
Yes; bhang is refreshing. Yes; it produces in-
toxication. Bhang creates appetite. The effect
lasts from three to four hours. Giddiness and
weakness, the after-effects. No longing produced.
45. (a) to (c) No.
(d) No; it does not cause dysentery, but
bronchitis and asthma from continued use of
the above.
(e) No.
vol. v.
2 c 2