264
uses, and only few who are fond of wildness use
it excessively ; whereas ganja, once habituated,
increases day after day.
27. It is generally taken by the priests (viz.,
the Chaubes of Mathura, and Pandas of Prayag
and Gya) and those persons who have very little
brain work to do, e.g., brokers, money speculators,
fakirs, pilgrims.
28. (a) Bhang=½ or ¼ of a copper pice.
Ganja=2 pice.
(b) Bhang=on the most one pice. Ganja=8
annas or a rupee.
29. The ingredient that is ordinarily used in
bhang is pepper (marich) only, but exceptionally
almond, cardamoms, rose flowers, and different
sorts of seeds, with sugar and other fruits, viz.,
pomegranate, grapes, ripe mangoes. Dhatura is
used for the increase of intoxication, but very
seldom used. There is no special massala that
goes with the name of bhang massala.
30. By wealthy persons it is generally used
in solitude, or in the company of a chosen few,
but among the poor it is used in company.
Generally it is used by the males only, in their
prime of life. Children are forbidden from its
use, but not so with Chaubes of Mathura, who are
said to give to the infants in their milk (ghunti).
It is only after some days' constant use that
people generally get into its habit. Bhang can
easily be discontinued, but not ganja. Ganja,
when once used, increases day after day, but not
bhang.
32. Bhang is generally used on two festivals :—
1. Shivratri (a day dedicated to the worship of
Mahadeva, who theologically is very fond of
these drinks) ; 2. Holi (in honour of the advent
of spring, when Whole nature rejoices). It is not
essentially necessary to use them. Bhang is
generally temperate and does not bring any
injury.
33. It is not regarded in good light, for it
begets laziness and sloth. But it is not regarded
as any evil. There is no religious worship of
these plants, but when the bhang is prepared and
ready for drink, the consumers generally cite
verses in memory of Siva, who is supposed to be
very fond of these drinks.
34. Though it may result in some uneasiness
for a certain time, but the result will not be
serious, as is generally seen in jail discipline.
35. It can be prohibited without any serious
consequences. But it can be used secretly, if the
spontaneously grown plants are available without
any difficulty. It cannot bring out any political
disturbances. No other drugs can be its substi-
tute. Alcoholic drinks cannot fill their places.
36. No ; for there is a strict religious prohibi-
tion on the higher castes (Brahmans, Kshatris
and Baisyas) for alcoholic drinks, so the latter
cannot be a substitute for these drugs. Moreover,
they differ in the nature of their intoxication.
37. Charas is a little bit milder than ganja.
The latter, when excessive, ends in a swoon as
soon as they smoke, while there is no such thing
in charas.
39. Ganja smoking is more injurious than
bhang, for the former affects the lungs, while the
latter does not.
40. Bhang is generally used for medicinal pur-
poses, as, for instance, in cold fever (ague) and
the first symptoms of piles and other stomachic
derangements. Bhang is usually given to the
cattle, generally the ox, cows, horses, for invigor-
ating them after fatigue, and to remove saliva
flow.
41. Bhang only when used moderately and
occasionally stimulates digestive organs and
staying-power, relieves fatigue, and is a preven-
tive against disease. The ingredient pepper,
when mixed with bhang, brings on motor chaos.
Persons of high position (jewellers, bankers,
mahajans) use half a rati of bhang powdered with
choicest ingredients, as referred to elsewhere, in
summer season occasionally. Ganja too is a
preventive of disease in malarious and unhealthy
tracts.
42. The moderate use of bhang is harmless,
but ganja is always injurious.
43. Yes ; they do not offend any way to their
neighbours.
44. (Bhang). It brings a hilarious effect on
the whole bodily system ; it is intoxicating and
stimulates imaginative powers ; poets have often
been known to compose verses when under its
intoxication better than when they were without
it. It adds a zest to the appetite, and one
relishes the food better in its intoxication, be the
food good or bad, poor or sumptuous. But the
after-effects produce sloth and drowsiness, and it
is for this very reason that it is generally taken
in the evening, so that the after-effects may
result in a sleep. There is a longing for it when
the fixed time comes.
45. The moderate use of bhang does not pro-
duce any noxious effects. No ; it does not impair
the constitution. No; it does not injure the
digestion or cause loss of appetite. Ganja when
excess causes bronchitis and asthma and so bhang
brings dysentery. Bhang and ganja produce lazi-
ness and sloth, but they do not stimulate one to
commit immoral acts. Ganja not bhang, when
excessively used, produces insanity, but temporary.
It benumbs the energies. Moderate use of bhang
relieves the mental cares to a certain extent, but
when one is suffering from some mental disease, it
makes it all the more worse. Insane persons
would not indulge in drinking or eating these drugs
in excess. I had seen one who was gone mad
through the excess use of ganja, used to wander
and laugh, but did not then crave for ganja or
bhang any more.
47. Bhang does not produce any hereditary
habit among the children, but the children of
ganja smokers are found to possess of red eyes
and weak constitutions.
49. The moderate use of bhang is aphrodisiac
in its nature. But it is very seldom used by the
prostitutes. But it is not used purposely for this
business. The use of ganja begets impotence
in the long run.
50. But when used in excess it is not aphro-
disiac, for it makes one lie prostrate to the ground
as utterly worthless for such enterprises.
51. Bhang and ganja is generally used by
persons of loose habits and persons of no occupa-
tion. The effect, both of bhang and ganja, is
that it makes one talk Utopian nonsense. But
its moderate use has nothing to do with criminal
acts.
53. No. The utmost effect of both ganja and
bhang is that one loses the powers of recollec-
tion. He may abuse one whom he ought to
respect. It has not been heard that one has laid
violent hands upon his or other's person in their
intoxication.