201
45. (a) The habitual use of these drugs affects
the consumers physically and mentally, but I
cannot with certainty say how far their use affects
their morality.
(b) Yes ; it does.
(c) I think it does.
(d) Yes; it is injurious to the bowels and lungs.
(f) Yes ; it deadens the intellect and tends to
produce insanity. The use of these drugs excites
insanity, which may at first be of a mild tpye, and
may be temporary, but there are instances when it
has developed into mania or dementia, etc.
(g) Yes ; they may. I have known a man
who smoked ganja becoming insane. His malady
developed into mania and terminated in death.
46. The answer to the foregoing question
applies here also.
47. I do not think the habitual moderate use
of any of these drugs to be a hereditary habit, nor
do I think that the children of the consumers of
any of these drugs are in any way affected there-
43. The same answer as above.
49. In my opinion the use of these drugs for a
continued length of time brings about impotence.
50. The same answer as above.
56. The admixtures modify the effects of these
drugs by weakening or strengthening their intoxi-
cating properties. Dhatura is the only substance
known to me that is mixed with ganja, but it is so
consumed only by the fakirs and bairagis, whose
cravings for these drugs these drugs fail to satisfy.
Dhatura is also mixed with bhang or ganja when
it is to be administered to the persons whom it is
intended to poison or make insensible.
57. In my opinion the use of these drugs is by
no means conducive to either the public health or
public good. On the other hand, the consumers
of these drugs are haggardly creatures, reduced to
skeletons, that regret very much their taking to
these habits. Many of these consumers become
insane or otherwise demented.
Oral evidence.
Question 45. There would be no harm to speak
of, if a man continued to be a moderate consumer of
ganja or charas. But I think it is difficult to
keep the habit within bounds. My experience is
drawn from the city, and I find that the moderate
smokers who do not go to excess are few. I have
lived at Fyzabad for twenty-five or twenty-six
years. As long as a man remains a moderate
consumer, there is no danger of his becoming in-
sane. It is the excessive use which has the ten-
dency to produce insanity. Bhang is less deleteri-
ous than ganja and charas.
135. Evidence of SYED ABU IBRAHIM , Private Practitioner (Yunani
Hakim), Fyzabad City.
1. My knowledge about these drugs is based
upon the information obtained from those men who
are addicted to their use and acquainted with their
effects, as well as it is derived from the treatment
of such persons, and from reading books on medi-
cines in Yunani and in English.
2. Yes ; the same definitions are applicable to
them in these provinces also.
4. In this district, siddhi, sabji, patti, and than-
dai, are the different names by which bhang is
known,
The higher and the educated class of people
give it different names, some calling it verk-ul-
khayal, juzve-azam, arsh-numa, shahwat angez,
munis-i-humum, chitra-khizr, and the luxurious
men who prepare a majun from it call it falaksair.
7. In our district ganja and charas are not cul-
tivated. But in Manjha bhang grows unculti-
vated. In the time of the King of Oudh, bhang
used to be cultivated in gardens abundantly, while
in Manjha it grows itself in plenty. Now it is not
grown in gardens. In the Gonda and Bahraich
districts bhang grows in abundance, and is export-
ed to our district. It is of a better quality and
strength than that of our district.
14. Bhang grows in a small quantity in this
district, and in a large quantity in the Gonda and
Bahraich districts. During the time of the King
of Oudh, the Murais used to cultivate bhang in our
district, but now under the British rule its cultiva-
tion is altogether given up.
16. Bhang is generally prepared (by consumers)
at their homes, whether the bhang be from the
cultivated or uncultivated plants ; whereas ganja
and charas are not prepared from cultivated or
uncultivated.
18. Any of these three drugs, if kept carefully
in a dry place, and beyond the reach of damp and
moisture, can be preserved for two or three years or
more without its becoming spoilt. But the length of
time weakens its strength. If kept for 2 or 3 months
in a damp place, they will become spoilt ; and if
affected with moisture, they will become quite
useless within 10 or 15 days.
19. Ganja and charas are used only for smoking.
20. Ganja is abundantly consumed by the labour-
ers and the lower class of people. Charas is used
by sadhus and jogis, that is, by fakirs, in plenty.
There is a very rare use of these two drugs
(ganja and charas) among the Muhammadans in
general, and the respectable persons among the
Hindus. Many persons from the religious point
of view abstain from the use of these drugs : they
are commonly used by those who are vicious.
23. No, it is only eaten or drunk.
24. In this district bhang is commonly eaten or
drunk by all classes of people among Hindus, but
chiefly the jogis, thakurs and Brahmans make a
great use of it, taking it before their food. Nearly
75 out of 100 persons use it.
25. Ganja and bhang are more largely used than
charas, and are so used on account of their being
cheaper than other liquors,
28. Daily consumption is—
(a)
(b)
(1) Bhang
(2) Ganja
(3) Charas
(1) Bhang
(2) Ganja
(3) Charas
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2 tolas.
1 tola.
3 mashas.
10 tolas.
3 tolas.
1 tola.
29. With bhang are mixed black pepper, tukhun,
khayarain, and sugar. With charas only tobacco
is mixed for the sake of frugality. Dhatura is
never mixed with them.
vol. v.
2G