218
result of the prohibition will be that the Tow caste
people will be inclined to use wine in their stead.
36. Non-intoxicating liquor is used at present,
instead of these drugs. A person naturally prefers
the thing that he is accustomed to.
37. Those who use the aforesaid drugs report
that ganja and charas have the same effect.
39. The way of smoking by chillum is less
harmful than any other way.
40. Bhang is used in native medicines and to
cure cattle,
41. Bhang is useful, if it is used moderately.
(a) It is digesting and tends to increase the
appetite.
(b) Bhang and charas produce impotency.
(c) A little use of bhang in malarious fever is
useful.
Consumption of bhang for such purposes is not
confined to any particular classes.
42. Even the moderate use of charas and ganja
is not quite harmless.
43. Those who use them give inconvenience to
their neighbours, and habitual consumers some-
times commit thefts.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use
of these drugs on the habitual consumer is not
refreshing ; it produces intoxication ; does not
allay hunger. It gives rest to the weary during
the time of intoxication. The effect lasts for
four or five hours, and afterwards it causes uneasi-
ness.
45. The habitual moderate use of the drugs
produces noxious effects, physical, mental, and
moral. It impairs the constitution. The use of
charas and ganja injures the digestion and causes
loss of appetite. It creates cough and asthma,
impairs the moral sense, and induces laziness ;
causes loss of sense and produces insanity. It
produces temporary insanity. The chief symp-
toms are immorality, wildness of temper, and can
be cured by refraining from it. The symptoms
will not be re-induced after being cured and liber-
ation from restraint.
46. The habitual excessive use of these drugs
will be injurious. The chief symptoms are uneasi-
ness, pollution of blood, loss of sense, weakness of
principal organs and joints of the body.
47. The habitual use of it is not hereditary.
The beginners will suffer much by the use ; it will
spoil his growth.
48. The loss would be a considerable one, as
stated above.
49. The use of ganja and charas is not aphro-
disiac, but it is so used by the prostitutes, and
thus it is much injurious to them. By degrees
the sexual power disappears.
50. Would produce a very great loss.
51. It is frequently used by the bad characters.
53. Excessive indulgence in these drugs, though
giving transient pleasure, in some instance will
incite to crime.
54. They do so frequently.
55. The complete stupefaction can be induced
by these drugs without admixture.
56. The moderate use of hemp brings on intoxi-
cation, but if modified by the admixture of other
substances, specially dhatura, it produces disas-
trous effects in the extreme.
57. I have not known charas and ganja as be-
ing eaten; it is simply smoked; but if it be
eaten, I can say from medical point of view, that
it increases wind and causes distention.
153. Evidence of HAKIM AMBA. PRASAD,* Kayasth, Private Practitioner,
Furrukhabad.
10. They do not belong to any particular class.
They are of the same class as the common agri-
culturists.
14. Bhang is planted and prepared in enormous
quantities in tahsil Kanouj, District Farrukhabad ;
also in Shahjehanpur District. There is no
cultivation of ganja and charas in these provinces.
16. Bhang is not prepared by people in their
houses or gardens, the Government having pro-
hibited its cultivation without a license. Wild
bhang is the least intoxicating. Wild ganja is
not of a good quality, and neither good charas
can be prepared from it.
17. By the agricultural classes in general.
18. Bhang if kept for a year greatly loses its
power of intoxication. Ganja will keep good for
three years if kept with ordinary care. Charas
quite loses its effect after a year. These drugs
deteriorate in the rainy season. If special care be
taken to keep them safe from damp, air and
moisture, ganja and bhang will keep good for
four years, but the charas will wholly deteriorate
after a period of two years.
20. Ganja and charas smokers are generally
found in every district. It is commonly used by
the idle vagabonds and immoral persons.
21. In this respect, the tastes of the smokers
differ. One likes flat ganja, another round, while
a third prefers chur to both the flat and round.
23. Bhang is never used for smoking.
24. Brahmans are largely addicted to bhang,
specially those living in Mathura. Some of them
take it in large quantities. Hindus who abstain
from wine sometimes take bhang.
25. The use of ganja, charas and bhang is on
the increase. This I have come to know by
seeing the returns of contract for these drugs from
1850-92.
30. These drugs are often consumed in solitude.
Company is not essential for their use. However,
when they are joined by their fellow consumers,
they are not sorry for it. It is not confined to
the males only. Females also use it. But they
are very few as compared to the male consumers.
It is seldom that we find children using these
drugs, though there is no limitation of age.
31. The habit of consuming any of these drugs
is easily formed, and it is not very difficult to
break off. Any of these drugs taken in a certain
quantity will have a uniform effect for the first
two or three weeks. But as the consumer becomes
accustomed to it, and the brain begins to bear the
intoxicating effect of the drug, that quantity will
not satisfy him. He will resistlessly crave for
more. Thus a habitual consumer of these drugs
cannot help crossing the bounds of moderation.
* Invited to attend at a meeting of the Commission for oral examination, but failed to appear.