510
(Those mentioned above) they use liquor and lie
like children in the way.]
It is not the custom in India to worship the
hemp plant. There is a proverb that a donkey by
seeing and smelling the hemp plant ran away.
The plant said to the donkey—" What! are you
superior to Mahadeoji that you run away from my
odour ? He has chosen me. " Donkey replied—" If
man, who is very superior, drinks thee and resem-
bles a donkey, if I taste you, there is no knowing
what I shall resemble."
34. Only to the community of religious mendi-
cants, who in jungles dream away their existence,
employing only charas and ganja. Or particularly
the aged and moderate consumers would, without
doubt, suffer, but there would be no fear of death.
There are communities of these mendicants in special
places, for instance in Behar, Zila Rohtak, the
Naga Fakir. Particulars of these can be got from
the census statements.
35. If charas and ganja are prohibited, then the
bhang of spontaneous growth will exceed the limit.
The use of charas and ganja cannot be made illicit
for this reason, that if ganja cultivation be stopped
and the import of Yarkand charas be prohibited,
then the freedom to use bhang should be given,
else both the rich and poor, from the habit of tak-
ing intoxicants, will be imprisoned. Because, no
matter what arrangement is made by Government,
the bhang of spontaneous growth, no matter where
it grows, will be surreptitiously conveyed to other
places.
If the prohibition is sanctioned, then a year
before it should be published that from the next
year these drugs are prohibited, and the Ambas-
sador at China should be informed to publish
it in Yarkand that if any one takes charas to
India he will have to bring it back. The prohibit-
ing of: ganja cultivation lies with the Government
of India. Under these circumstances the consump-
tion of ganja or bhang of spontaneous growth will
be 60, that after the closing of chandu shops, it
will gradually disappear.
If things of spontaneous growth are not taxed,
and not brought under the provisions of the crimi-
nal law, then primarily there would be discontent
among the inveterate consumers ; but there would
be no political danger, but the newspapers would
be writing that the Government is not able to
manage its own affairs, that is, that liquor, which
causes disturbances, and destroys the rich and the
wealthy, is not prohibited, but the poor and the
needy who are suffering under the vengeance of
Providence are likewise chastised by Government.
Some people of light minds who are at all addicted
to it will take to liquor. But the greatest harm
will be in the Yarkand trade. The traders take
away cloth, country and imported brocade, sugar
and other articles. In exchange for these, charas
is widely given. Gradually this trade will die
away and "Rusi" trade will benefit. But after a
time the charas-conswmers, their widows and child-
ren will thank the Government for the prohibition.
36. If charas and bhang-consumers become rich,
they drink liquor. It has been twice noticed that
in the famine, drunkards consumed charas and
bhang and kept their senses. It was also seen
that if a consumer's child took to the company of
charas-consumers, then with the object of stopping
him he is told if he is accustomed to intoxicants to
take liquor and not charas. The proof is evident.
Charas is taken by those who are not able to drink
liquor, and if it is said that the sale of bhang and
charas decreases during a famine, the reason is that
a three pie a day consumer spends his three pie at
such times.
37. Ganja produces heat, and when it is taken
to excess urine comes from the ardor urinal. The
urine has a red colour from the effects of the ganja
heat. Charas is cooling and reduces heat. An
exemplary difference is : fresh liquor is equal to
ganja six months old, or charas may be compared
to live or ten years' old liquor as compared with
ganja.
38. I do not know particulars about this, but
flat ganja is very good.
39. It is less injurious smoking it in the chillum,
and still less injurious if the chillum is put on the
huka, because what is drawn is reduced to smoke.
It is not possible for anybody to consume a tola or
two of charas and keep his senses, but in company
a great consumer can put away from four to six
tolas. For instance, if any person eats arsenic he
will immediately die, but ' kashta' arsenic is used
in many medicines.
40. Bhang is efficacious in piles. It gives an
appetite, and it does good in flatulent diseases, if
eaten. It is useful for cattle, horses, cows, etc.,
and is often given to horses in massala. Charas
is given in about one or two rattis, mixed with
other ingredients, for prolonging sexual intercourse.
41. Daily consumption may be an accessory
(ghiza) ; it has become an accessory. It cannot
have any beneficial effect, but there is fear of
excessive consumption.
(a) Small consumption is beneficial.
(b) Under severe fatigue, if it is not any time
moderately consumed, then it is evident that under
intoxication the fatigue and exertion will be less
felt. Or with those who are accustomed to intoxi-
cants, and while intoxicated, can undergo some
exertion, this exertion is not distasteful to them
while in that state.
(c) If the fever is with ague, and charas is
inhaled, then the fever heat is reduced by the
intoxicant, and heat from the charas. In mala-
rious and unhealthy tracts the consumption of
charas would, of course, be beneficial to those who
are not even habitual average consumers, but the
climate of that tract should be also considered.
(d) Those who are habitual excessive consumers
do not get cholera; the reason for not getting
cholera is this, that charas lessens the blood, and
when there is little blood in the body one cannot
get cholera ; and malarial cholera is not so effective.
It is not restricted to any class or tribe, who get
any such disease or experience any such occurrence.
42. Moderate consumption is also harmful,
because he is accustomed to moderate usage, and
since he is so accustomed, then no beneficial effects
can result.
43. They are very offensive to their neighbours ;
for instance, in a mahalla a low caste man resides
and all about the mahalla the Hindus and Muham-
madans have perhaps never seen charas smoked,
and perhaps there is company or a wedding party
at this place, or that they are praying in the
masjid, or that worship is going on in the thakur-
doara, and the low caste man has a pull at the
charas, the smell of the charas spreads, and the
residents of the mahalla are offended.
44. Charas and ganja bring on intoxication im-
mediately after they are smoked. It is not at all
refreshing. It is an excellent intoxicant. It has
the usual effect of allaying hunger on the habitual
consumer. It is not an aphrodisiac, but it causes the
loss of virility. The effect of the intoxication lasts