477
Question 45.—Bhaug does not produce insanity;
nor does charas, though it makes a man useless.
What I say about the effects of the drugs in pro-
ducing insanity refers to dhatura. I understand
that I have said twice in my answer that insanity
results from the hemp drugs, but in both places I
was referring to dhatura. Dhatura is used with
bhang. I do not know of its being used with
charas. It is only a few who mix dhatura
with bhang to produce greater effect. It is most
exceptional for a person to use dhatura habitually.
65. Evidence* of SARDAR ARJAN SINGH, Zamindar, Amritsar District.
1. Bhang is used in this country from the
beginning, and especially by the Hindus. Charas
and ganja are used by many classes except the
Sikhs.
2. We have no perfect knowledge of this.
3. Bhang generally grows in hill countries. In
the Punjab it grows spontaneously in Kangra and
Gurdaspur.
4. It is known by the name of bhang.
5. Bhang grows on the sailab and high tracts
with sufficient rains.
6. It grows densely.
7 to 9. Bhang is not cultivated in this country.
10. There is no particular class of men for the
cultivation of bhang in this district.
11 to 13. No knowledge.
14. Each of the three drugs is produced in hill
countries.
15. No knowledge.
16 and 17. As above.
18. No knowledge as regards ganja and charas.
Bhang, if kept in a damp place, or if it gets wet,
goes bad.
19. Ganja and charas are used only for smoking,
and prevalent in large cities or towns.
20. Generally Hindu and Musalman fakirs are
used to such drugs. They are found in large cities
or towns.
21. No knowledge.
22. As above.
23. Bhang is never used for smoking.
24. Bhang is used by every class of Hindus,
and is used in drinking. Fakirs are much addicted
to bhang, and they can be found everywhere.
25. Increase in consumption of bhang is due to
increase in population, and its consumption is
larger than that of the other two drugs.
26. Fakirs are habituated to it.
27. Generally found amongst fakirs, and those
who associate with such fakirs use it.
28. No knowledge.
29. Consumers wishing to increase the intoxi-
cation of bhang mix dhatura. Dhatura is not
publicly sold at shops.
30. These drugs are sometimes used in solitude
and sometimes in company. The use is not
confined to any fixed time. The effects of society
produce this habit among children.
81. Habit is easily formed and increased by
evil associates. Difficult to break off.
32. The use of these drugs in these districts is
not based on any custom, social or religious. Use
is not obligatory. Largely used by fakirs.
Habitual use has a tendency to increase the quan-
tity, and thereby render it injurious to health.
33. General opinion is against the use of these
drugs, and there is no custom (whether religious
or moral) establishing their use. Excessive use
produces general debility, rendering the man per-
fectly useless in a very short time. In the districts
of this country there is no custom to worship
hemp.
34. Generally fakirs are addicted to these drugs.
Difficult to be broken off, except at the sacrifice
of great bodily discomfort. I know nothing
about the number of such consumers.
35. Can be prohibited, i.e., habitual consumers
should be allowed to continue the habit, but be-
ginners could be entirely prohibited. This pro-
hibition would not, I think, cause discontent.
Consumers of bhang, charas and ganja are not
likely to take to alcohol.
36. The consumers of these drugs have no in-
clination towards alcohol.
37. No knowledge.
38 and 39. As above.
40. Sometimes native physicians prescribe bhang
for ague. It is also given in the treatment of
cattle disease.
41. Moderate use of bhang (a) creates appetite
for food, (b) helps to bear up extra manual labour,
(c) is a preventive in malarious and unhealthy
tracts, (d) is used medicinally in many other ways.
42. Moderate use of bhang is harmless and
sometimes beneficial.
43. Those using bhang moderately are always
quiet and harmless to neighbours. Those using
ganja and charas are troublesome.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use
of any of these drugs produces intoxication and
liveliness ; it refreshes the mind. Bhang creates
appetite, Intoxication lasts according to one's
habit and constitution. The corresponding effect
creates uneasiness.
45. The habitual use of these drugs produces
evil effects, physical, mental and moral. In old
age, it injures impeding digestive powers. The
use of ganja and charas produces cough and
asthma, and gradually impairs the mental powers
and destroys manly powers, deadens the intellect,
and makes one talkative ; also produces temporary
insanity if it be considered curable. Long habi-
tual use of these drugs injures the whole system
rendering it incurable.
As regards remaining points I have no know-
ledge.
46. Discussed in No. 45.
47. Not hereditary; acquired in bad company.
48. As 45.
49. No reply to first sentence. Prostitutes take
it. Excessive use causes impotency.
50. As 45.
* Translation.