355
22. It is not imported here.
23.
Bhang is also used for smoking. The use
is not confined to any particular locality or to any
particular class here. It is freely made use of
by the Bairagi pilgrims.
24. It is both eaten. and drunk by the few
people that make use of the drug here.
25. It is on the increase now.
26. The few consumers in these parts are rather
habitual moderate consumers.
27. The use is not restricted to an y class.
People make use of it more on account of its dead-
ening effects on bodily ailments. It deprives
them of the feelings of pain, keeps their spirits up
while they are in a languid state.
28. It is one anna per day.
29. It is generally mixed here with an equal
quantity of tobacco. Dhatura is not used here.
Tobacco is mixed with it to season the effects of
bhang. Bhang massala is also sold here. Its
ingredients are not so well known.
30. Very few people practise it in solitude. It
is generally confined to the male sex. It is not
confined to any time of life. If once practised,
the consumer is constrained to use it till the end
o f h i s l i f e . I t i s n o t u s u a l t o ma k e u s e o f i t w i t h
children, but they are sometimes mixed with
country medicines in case of dysentery, etc.
31. It is easily formed. It is difficult to break
it off afterwards. There is a little tendency for
the habit to become excessive.
32. The use is not encouraged by any social or
religious customs. It is not considered to be essen-
tial in any way ; but, on the other hand, it is
deprecated by the society in general and forbidden
by religion.
33.
Vide answer above. There is no plant to
be worshipped here ; but it is generally used as
sacrifices to some of the minor Hindu deities.
34. Yes ; no doubt it will be a serious privation
to them, which may result in serious diseases.
35. It may not be feasible to prohibit the use
of these drugs with the excessive consumers.
There may be attempt to consume it illicitly. It
may create discontent among some of the con-
sumers, but not to such an extent as to apprehend
any political danger. Alcoholic stimulants and
other drugs are not considered to be good substi-
tutes for the drugs in question. Consumers can
in no way be satisfied with these in place of those
drugs.
36. No ; people do not change their drugs for
liquors on account of the comparatively high
price of the latter.
37. There is a difference between the effects of
the two ; but the former, which is very valuable,
is not imported to this part of the country.
39. Smoking is less injurious than eating and
drinking the drugs, as smoking is less intoxicating
than the latter two.
40.
The drug is also prescribed by the native
doctors on account of its medicinal quality.
41. (a) It is used as a digestive thing.
(b)
It cannot support a man under severe
exposure.
(c) and (d) No.
42. No doubt it is harmful, though moderately
used. It weakens the constitution by absorbing
the blood in the system.
43. They are more or less unconscious, and hence
inoffensive to their neighbours.
44. It is refreshing to a little extent. It also
produces a little intoxication. It cannot allay
hunger. It creates appetite in an hour and a half
in the utmost. The consumer gets languid after
that time.
45. Physically the man gets weaker when not
properly nourished. Mentally he gets absent
-
minded; morally he becomes useless. It does
impair. It injures the digestion and causes loss
of appetite in the long run. It causes dysentery,
bronchitis or asthma when not properly nourished.
It does so. No doubt it deadens the intellect, but
does not lead to insanity.
47 and 48. No.
49 and 50. Both the moderate and the excessive
use of the drug may tend to produce impotence
ultimately.
53. It does not incite to such crime, violent or
otherwise.
54. No.
60 and 61. It is not produced in this town.
68. There is only one shop licensed for the sale
of ganja.
144. Evidence of RUNGO SRINIVASA RAO, Brahmin, Chairman, Union Panchayat,
Madakasira, Anantpur District.
1. Local knowledge.
3. I know not much of any district.
14. (a) ganja, (c) bhang.
Madakasira taluka. Moderate.
16. (a) Yes.
(b) Not known.
(c) Not known in these parts.
19. Yes. They are also mixed with spices,
made into pills, and taken every morning and
evening.
20. Fakirs and Boyas, etc., lower class. In
places where no other intoxicating drugs are
available.
24. Vide reply to Question 20.
25. It is increasing. Some are under the im-
vol. vi.
pression that they will be relieved of the pains
in the joints, etc., if they take this.
28. One tola, 6 pies.
32. Not known.
33. The practice is held as bad. Many object
to take this. Not known. None worship in these
parts.
39. Not known.
40. To a certain extent by native doctors. Not
known.
41. Yes. It depends upon the nature of the
constitution.
42. Vide reply to Question 41.
43. Yes.
3 B 2