403
of intoxicating drugs, the injuries done by which
are daily smoothed by the diet taken. The
moderate use cannot prove injurious for the reason
that the loss of any particular substance of the
system is made good by the diet.
43. They are certainly inoffensive.
44. The immediate effect of the use of these
drugs on the habitual consumer is that until he
gets his dose he is depressed and has a great
desire to gratify his craving, and as soon as he
takes bis does it gives him intoxication and re-
freshes him. It does not allay hunger, but creates
appetite, and the effect of the drug lasts more or
less until the time for his next dose comes round.
The first effect is strong and powerful and gradu-
ally abates, until the time for the next dose
arrives, when it totally disappears. The want of
subsequent gratification produces uneasiness and
weakness. I have seen that habitual consumers,
when they come out of jail after undergoing
their sentences, give up the habit.
45. In my opinion no change takes place in the
constitution of any of the moderate consumers of
charas and bhang; nor does the moderate use pro-
duce any of the effects mentioned in question 45.
The moderate use also does not induce debauchery.
The moderate use produces no injurious effect
to health. It is, however, injurious to those
who have a phlegmatic and arid temperament;
but the moderate use on the whole imparts no
injury to those men who, as mentioned in answer
No. 42, repair the injury done by it.
It is difficult to answer this question, as it
concerns the science of medicine.
Men are often inclined to use bhang and
charas for the sake of refreshment, but I can give
no instances.
Note.—Whatever has been stated above is in
respect of both bhang and charas.
46. I have seen it with my own eyes, and learnt
that, contrary to what I have said in my answer
to question 45, the habitual excessive consumers
of bhang and charas are both mentally and physi-
cally affected, and many of them become insane
—mostly charas smokers—and if they break off
the habit the malady would probably abate. But
the disease would not decrease by abandoning the
habit if, by the excessive use of bhang and charas,
such brain-nerves or intellectual centres have been
affected, the derangement of which, whether
caused by the use of bhang and charas or other-
wise, produces insanity; and in my opinion,
they would run the risk of premature death if
such men broke off the habit altogether.
47. This question cannot be answered on ac-
count of want of information.
48. Nothing more can he stated in addition to
what I have explained in reply to question 46.
49. The use of bhang, in addition to producing
impotency, also affects the power of generation.
Note—The first portion of this question cannot
be answered, except so far only-as it relates to the
noxious effects of bhang.
50. No answer can be given to it for want of
information.
51. I know nothing more about it, except that
the gamblers indeed use charas, whether in excess
or in moderation, while gambling. It is often so
used in gambling houses, and my personal ex-
perience is that the gamblers use it with the object
of maintaining firmness and presence of mind.
52. Nothing more can be stated than what has
been said in answer No. 51.
58. I can quote no instance of this kind.
54. I do not possess any personal knowledge
about this.
55. I cannot state exactly that the use of
bhang or charas can induce complete stupefaction
as is meant in this question. It can, however, be
produced if the drugs are used in too large a
quantity.
56. If bhang be used in moderation it does no
harm. It is harmful only when taken in excess.
The expression "admixture of other substances"
is ambiguous, and therefore cannot be clearly
answered. If almonds, musk melon seeds and
milk, etc., are meant by it, these things counter-
act the aridity of bhang; and if this expression
refers to other intoxicants, I know nothing about
them. I also know nothing about the admixture
of dhatura, etc.
57. Charas is taken in very small quantity
when there is pain in the stomach, and it has often
been observed that it kills the pain at once. I do
not know anything more about the eating or
drinking of charas.
58. In my opinion, the existing system of the
excise administration is working satisfactorily
and requires no improvement.
59. It requires no improvement.
60. No answer can be given to this question
since it refers to ganja.
61. As charas is not produced in this province
there is no need of answering this qustion.
62. As far as I know, bhang is not cultivated
in this province, and there is therefore no need of
any control.
63. There is no need of any improvements,
since the rules regarding the retail sales of these
drugs are working satisfactorily.
64. I have no objection to offer.
65. In my opinion the taxation is reasonable,
and there is therefore no need of any change
in
66. It does not concern the Punjab.
67. If the sale of bhang and charas is to be
kept lawful, there is no need of increasing the
taxation, because the country is already too poor
to bear the burden of an increased taxation.
68. No irregularities are committed in such
shops or houses, nor is the public dissatisfied with
their existence.
69. So far as I know, the public opinion is
consulted before opening these shops. I think
that if the majority of public opinion be against
the opening of such shops, it should be duly con-
sidered,
vol. v
3 I 2