204
31. It is said that under the influence of bad
company the habit is easily formed, and that it is
not very difficult to break off the habit gradually.
There is a tendency to go from moderation to ex-
cess. It is usual to increase the dose from time to
time, but it does not necessarily follow that the
increased dose is excessive. The dose is usually
increased owing to the diminished effect produced
by the drug in the course of time.
32. None.
33. The consumption of these drugs is gener-
- a l l y r e g a r d e d a s d e g r a d i n g . T h i s i s t h e p u b l i c
opinion (social and religious). The use of intoxi-
cants is prohibited by both Shastras and Koran,
and is therefore held in disrepute, social opinion
being in conformity with religion. There is no
such custom.
34. No. It is said that the habit can be broken
off much more easily than the opium habit.
35. Prohibition of the use of any or all these
drugs would cause discontent, but only amongst
the consumers. If the use of these drugs be pro-
hibited, recourse will be had to opium or alcoholic
stimulants. The discontent amongst the con-
sumers would not amount to a political danger.
Non-consumers would rejoice. The consumers
are too few to be formidable.
37. Charas is a more powerful intoxicant than
Charas is occasionally used by those on
whom ganja has ceased to exercise its former
effect. It is so powerful that nobody would use
it in the first instance.
38. It is said that flat ganja is stronger than
chur ganja.
39. Ganja smoking is more injurious than
drinking bhang massala. The smoking of ganja
(or charas) affects the breathing, and produces
chronic cough.
4 0 . G a n j a i s u s e d i n a m e d i c i n e , c a l l e d y a k o t i ,
for producing sexual appetite. It is eaten. Can-
not be bought at the bazar. Hindus call it
"Madanakameswara Leghyam." Ganja is also
prescribed as a digestive.
41. (a) Yes.
(b) Its effect is refreshing.
(c) No.
42. Beneficial when used as medicine, otherwise
even the moderate use of these drugs is injurious.
They increase bile, cause loss of blood, and emacia-
tion. If consumers fall sick, they readily suc-
cumb.
44. Bhang allays hunger temporarily, ganja
causes intoxication at once, while bhang does so
after a little time. The effect is said to last for
two or three minutes. No after-effects. The
use of these drugs is refreshing.
45 (a) Yes.
(d) Yes; causes asthma after four or five years
.
(e) Causes laziness.
(f) Deadens intellect Ganja produces insanity
when taken in excess.
(g) Not used to relieve mental anxiety.
47. No. Children are said to be somewhat
weakly.
49. (a) Yes.
(c) No.
(d) Ganja produces impotence after three or
four years.
51. I have not observed any connection between
the use of these drugs and crime.
57. Ganja is eaten and drunk, charas is only
smoked.
27. Evidence of Mr. H. F. W. GILLMAN, Acting Head Assistant Collector, Nilgiris.
1. By enquiries in the South-East Wynad divi
-sion of the Nilgiri district.
2. The dried leaves of the plant are not used
for any purpose; but the green leaves, which are
known by the name of bangi soppu (ganja leaves)
are used in the preparation of a liquor to be here-
after described. Charas and ganja are known in
the division by the same names and have the same
meaning as is here given.
3. The hemp plant grows spontaneously in this
(the Nilgiri) district. It is fairly abundant in the
South-East Wynad division.
4. As ganja seddi (shrub) and (bangi). Yes.
5. I am not aware of the existence of wild
hemp in the division, or that any of the hemp
drugs are manufactured from it.
7. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
(c) Yes .
(d) No.
In the South-East Wynad division above
referred to in the backs-yard of houses.
8. There has been no great increase, so far as I
can ascertain.
9. No particular trouble, such as ploughing,
manuring, transplanting, etc., is taken about the
cultivation of the plant. The seeds are sown in
April and May, and the plants come up with the
rains in June. The male plants are cut out when
distinguishable. The female plants are left alone
until they reach maturity in the next January and
February, when they are cut and dried.
10. No. The classes who smoke the drug in this
division are Chetties and Muhammadans, and the
aboriginial tribes, Koters, Kurumbers, etc.
11. I do not think so.
13.I do not think there is any restriction
of cultivation to districts. I cannot say if the
cultivation is common to all districts. The cultiva-
tion of hemp for ganja is possible in all parts of
my division.
14. All these products are prepared in my divi-
sion; but the extent is not ascertainable, as the
preparation is not recognised or permitted by
Government.
15. Flat ganja, the only kind known in the
division, is thus prepared. The mature female
plants are cut into lengths of 1 to 1½ feet and are
made up into bundles. These bundles are then
placed under weights for several days, the result
o f w h i c h o p e r a t i o n i s t h a t e a c h b u n d l e o f t w i g s
and leaves is made into a sticky mass by the help
of the resinous gum exuding from the leaves.
Ganja is only used for smoking. The flowers are