219
This fact is beyond all doubts that these drugs do
have a tendency to develop moderate habits into
excessive for the reason just mentioned.
32. These drugs are in no way connected with
religion.
33. The consumption of each of these drugs is
generally disliked by the people. The smoke
exhaled by charas and ganja smokers smells so
badly that any other man will find it pretty diffi-
cult to sit by him. No sect of Hindus worships
hemp plant on any occasion,
34. A person who tries to give up the use of
bhang feels a longing uneasiness for two or three
days. The privation, however, is not serious.
The case is different with the ganja and charas
smokers. For the first two or three days they
suffer badly, but are gradually used to temperate
habits, and in a week or so their privation ceases.
The probable number of the consumers of each
class would not exceed 5 per cent.
37. The effects of ganja and charas are nearly
the same. Charas is made from ganja tree, and
is somewhat stronger than ganja.
38. All the three kinds of ganja have the same
effects. It is, however, the opinion of some
persons that flat ganja is a little stronger than the
other two kinds.
40. Native doctors seldom prescribe any of
these drugs for internal use. They are, however,
sometimes used for external applications. Bhang
alone is used in the treatment of cattle. Villagers
give it to cattle with salt to increase their impair-
ed appetite.
42. Ganja and charas, taken in howsoever small
a quantity, weaken the brain, and narrow the
nerves communicating to the lungs. This impairs
the free circulation of blood, and often gives rise
to the diseases of lungs, which gradually develop,
weaken the man, and the sad end is not much
delayed.
44. All narcotic drugs, when taken moderately,
are slightly refreshing and create appetite.
There are three stages of intoxication. In the
first stage it is a little refreshing, stirs animal
passion, and alleviates fatigue. The second stage
is of stupefaction. He is no more master of his
actions, and the brain loses, for the time, its
discerning powers. In the third stage, the hilarity
of spirit is substituted by a very disagreeable and
painful state of mind. The man feels dulness,
pain in the limbs, and a general uneasiness.
The effects of ganja and charas smoking are
instantaneous. The consumer may become sense-
less in a minute. The effect lasts for three hours,
and is gradually lost after the expiration of six
hours. Bhang begins to have its intoxicating
effects after an hour.
45. Ganja and charas, even when used moderate-
ly, give rise to a number of diseases, specially to
the complaints of stomach, lungs, brain, liver
bowels, etc., lessen human vitality ; make the
consumer lean and weak ; cause asthma, consump-
tion and permanent cough ; impair the morals ;
deaden the intellect ; and sometimes cause in-
sauity.
The insanity thus produced is only temporary.
Permanent insanity, which is hard of cure, does
not bring with it the loss of appetite. Even the
appetites of some lunatics have been found to
exceed the average appetite of men in general.
The insanity caused by the excess of narcotic
drugs renders the victim weak and sickly. Such
lunatic loses his appetite ; his eyes are more than
commonly red ; thirst increases ; he is more calm
and silent than the permanent insanes, and can be
cured in a comparatively short time.
49. The moderate use of these drugs has an
aphrodisiac effect for the first few months of use,
but after that it tends to impotence.
51. Male badmashes are the chief consumers of
charas and ganja ; and they, being destitute of
means, often commit thefts and other crimes to
acquire money. In the higher circles, ganja and
charas smoking is strictly prohibited. And if
any gentleman uses these drugs secretly, when
the matter comes to light—and it does come early
or late—he loses his character, and respect in the
eyes of the respectable public.
53, From an excessive indulgence in ganja and
charas, a man's temper may be wholly changed,
and he may commit those heinous crimes of which,
perhaps, he never thought before.
55. Ganja and charas, without any admixture,
are quite sufficient to bring about stupefaction.
It is possible that a novice may die from their
excessive use.
56. In order that the intoxicating effect of the
bhang may increase, and last long, some habitual
consumers mix dhatura with it.
154. Evidence of NIZAM-UD-DIN AHMAD , Sheik, Medical Practitioner, Benares.
1. The descriptions given by me in my replies
regarding bhang, ganja and charas are derived
from information received by me from reliable
persons acquainted with the matter and also from
my own personal knowledge and experience as a
medical practitioner.
18. Ganja charas and bhang all deteriorate by
long keeping, and after a certain time lose their
essential qualities altogether. If carefully kept
they will remain good for three or four years.
Exposure to damp or wet weather causes deterior-
ation. To keep this in good condition this should
be kept in vessels from which cold and damp are
excluded.
19. Charas and ganja are usually smoked only,
but in southern parts charas is eaten mixed with
majum and bhang.
20. With the exception of Brahmans, all castes
of Hindus smoke ganja and charas. Sadhus,
Chaltries and the lower castes are, however, the
chief consumers. Muhammadans except disreput-
able ones never use these drugs.
81. Baluchar ganja is considered the best every-
where. In western districts it is not grown, so
pathar is much used there.
22. I have heard that the charas which comes
from Amritsar and other Punjab districts is the
best and most used.
23. Bhang is never used for smoking.
24. All castes of Hindus eat and drink bhang,
especially Brahmans, banias and sadhus.
The
largest consumers are the Mathura Chaubes.
25. The use of ganja, charas and bhang is on
the increase.
26. I cannot give the exact proportion, but in
Benares more than half the population are con-
sumers of these drugs.
vol. v.
2 I 2