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38. Evidence of HONY. SURGEON-MAJOR J. E. HARRISON, Retired List, and
Civil Surgeon, Kalahundi.
1. My long service in the medical profession in
India of over 40 years.
2. Charas is not used or obtained in these parts.
The ganja sold here by contractors under excise
rules consists of the loose leaves and tops of the
plant obtained from Government Stores, Raipur,
and known locally only by its name "ganja."
3. During the Maharaja's time ganja used to be
cultivated in this State; but since it has come
under Government management, the cultivation
has been stopped. I have not observed it grow-
ing spontaneously.
5. I should consider the climate of these parts
favourable for its cultivation, with an average
rainfall of 54".
7. None.
13. Yes, restricted in this State now.
14. None.
15.
When very old, the leaf deteriorates; but
ganja and its resinous portions keep the active
principle good for years. The leaves deteriorate
by damp and moisture. To prevent this, it should
be kept in well covered vessels. I have been
informed that it keeps well in leather bags strung
up in the roof of houses.
16. Charas is only used in the Upper Provinces
for smoking; it is unknown in these parts.
17. I cannot give the proportion of people who
smoke ganja, but mostly all classes smoke the
ganja, Brahmins, especially those coming from
Puri and Cuttack, Rajputs. Paiks, Mahuntis,
Gonds, "Konds Katchina," but not the Kutia
Konds inhabiting the hills, and most of the lower
castes, the Doms and Ghassies (sweepers).
18. The old hands prefer the round ganja, being
stronger in its effects.
19. None used in these parts.
20. The word "bhang" is not used in these parts,
but ganja only.
21. Many of the Hindus and lower classes chew
ganja with tobacco, and a large number of
Brahmins and Mahuntis use it in drink, ground
up with black pepper and sugar or jaggery, and
some mix spices and milk, when it is called
"kúsúmba," and is offered in the temples.
22. The ganja is used only for smoking,
chewing, and drinking, and is on the increase, as
already shown below, and to my own knowledge
of over nine years' residence here, many non-use
r s o f t h e g a n j a h a v e c o m m e n c e d i t s u s a g e .
The sale of ganja since the introduction under
Government excise rules commenced here from the
6th August 1884, and the yearly increase is
shown below:—
Date of introduction.
Years.
Quantity of ganja
yearly consumed.
Mds. Seers. Chs.
6th August 1884 .
1884
...
21
8
1885
3
5
7
1886
4
22
...
1887
4
10
...
1888
3
18
8
1889
3
10
...
1890
3
32
...
1891
4
31
...
1892
5
32
...
1893 up to 30th
September.
4
1
...
26 and 27. I am unable to furnish the answers
to these questions, not being able to get the pro-
portions of the consumers.
28. (a ) Habitual moderate consumer's average
is about one pice to half anna per diem.
( b) The habitual excessive consumer's is about
one anna per diem.
29. Opium is sometimes mixed with ganja in
smoking, and also tobacco. I know of no pre-
paration such as bhang massala.
30. The extent of consumption is very small
in company, and occasional, but most in solitude.
It is chiefly confined to the male sex, and not used
by the children.
31. The habit of consuming any of these drugs
is easily acquired, and not so easily given up; but
many of the subji drinkers can abstain from it.
The ganjaries or ganja smokers rarely give up the
habit, and gradually increase to excess.
32. With Hindus it is often made into a
potion with sugar, pounded black pepper and
sometimes spices and milk are added, and called
"kúsúmba," and drunk by many, especially the
Brahmins in the temples. This is also much used
during the Hindu festival of Holi. In native
feasts and merriments, a conserve or sweet is made
of sugar and strong infusion of bhang of a pale,
green or yellow colour, coated with silver or gold
leaf. It is also used by evil-disposed men to
overcome the modesty of women, and for theft.
34. I do not consider it would be a serious
privation to forego the consumption of these
drugs; but probably they would fall on other
narcotics, such as opium and liquors, especially
opium.
35. Yes, of all these drugs the use should be
prohibited gradually. Prohibition should extend
to the strict prevention of the cultivation in all
parts of India under Government rules, and small
cultivation should be allowed only for medical
purposes. The prohibition would cause discontent
to the consumers, but not any serious danger.
The prohibition would, no doubt, be followed by
recourse to alcohol and other stimulants.
36. No, not in these parts.
37. Charas is more potent, and stronger in its
effects than ganja.
38. None, but in the potency of each drug and
its quality.
39. None; each of these have their baneful
effects on the system. The three drugs affect the
brain and intellects. The smokers are prone to
chest diseases, and generally cough and asthma
and weakness of the heart. The drinkers suffer
from stomach disorders and indigestion, and most
suffer from dysentery and die. In fevers with
the consumer the brain is soon affected.
40. Yes, the baids administer it in dysentery.
For cattle and horses, it is given in the massalas,
or mixed with jaggery to overworked animals.
41. In my opinion, none.
(a) In the beginning of its usage in drink it
increases the appetite.
(b) It has no staying-power; the consumers
are soon tired in labour or exercise.
(c) It is no safeguard to malarious diseases;
they suffer as much or more than the non-
users.