137
The cases of insanity I have seen, which were
incited by the use of hemp, were of individuals
who from falling into bad company became slaves
to the use of hemp drugs, but before this had
manifested no signs of defective or weak intelli-
gence.
46. See preceding remarks.
47 and 48. I can't say.
49. The drugs possess aphrodisiac properties,
and are used by some on this account.
Their use in this way is injurious, and leads to
impotence.
50. See foregoing remarks.
56. I have had no experience of these combina-
tions.
57. I don't know.
94. Evidence of ASSISTANT SURGEON MAN MOHAN DASS, Kayasth, Officiating
Civil Surgeon, Muttra.
1. I have been in Government service as Assist-
ant Surgeon for nearly sixteen years, during which
period I served in Bengal, Madras, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, and had opportunities of
seeing several people who consume the drugs.
2. The definition of Dr. Prain about bhang,
charas, and ganja may be accepted for this pro-
vince.
Local names of bhang—bhang, buti, siddhi,
thandai, sabji, bijia; charas—eighty-four (cant
phrase), sulfa.
19. Ganja and charas are used for smoking
only.
23. Bhang is not used for smoking. But a habi-
tual ganja or charas smoker, when these stuffs are
not available, will use bhang leaves for smoking,
mixing it with tobacco, to satisfy his daily crav-
ing; but it is a very poor substitute for ganja or
charas for this purpose.
28. Average allowance and cost of bhang for a
habitual moderate consumer about one pice, and
for habitual excessive consumers about 2 or 3
annas. Charas and ganja for a habitual moderate
consumer about one pice, and for a habitual exces-
sive consumer about 4 annas.
29. Ingredients (a) ordinarily used with bhang
are black pepper, cardamom (white, small variety),
sonf; (b) exceptionally, badam, seeds of khira and
kakri (in summer season), nutmeg, mace and saffron
(in winter season). Dhatura is not so used.
The ingredients are used for good taste and
smell, and to accelerate the intoxicating power.
Tobacco used with ganja. Tobacco prepared with
goor is used with charas. There is a preparation
of bhang in this district called pancharatni. It is
made occasionally. It is a mixture of opium,
dhatura, bhang, betel-nut, and arsenic. No
such preparation as bhang massala is sold here in
the bazar.
30. Most of the Chaubes here drink bhang in
company. I should say that about half the con-
sumers of bhang take it in company, and about
half in solitude, and that about three-fourths of
the ganja and charas consumers smoke it in com-
pany and one-fourth in solitude. In most cases
the smokers of ganja and charas enjoy them in
company. They will sit in a circle and enjoy the
pipe one by one, and it is peculiar to note that
scarcely any quarrels arise among these men.
Bhang drinking is mainly confined to the male
sex, though females are not excepted. Charas and
ganja are also used by the males, only that female
prostitutes consume them in some instances.
Children do not generally consume these drugs.
I have seen some boys of 10 or 11 as habitual con-
sumers of charas and ganja.
31. The habit of consuming these drugs is
easily formed. When once formed, it is difficult
to break off. There is a tendency for the moder-
ate habit to develop into the excessive. Most of
the consumers generally keep within their daily
usual limit.
32. Bhang is generally prepared and drunk in
company of two or three or more. The leaves are
first cleaned, and then they are washed well with
water by one man. Another man will rub them well,
on a piece of stone, and then some black pepper,
cloves, aniseed, nutmegs, are mixed with it. The
whole thing when well pasted is made into a ball,
which is then put into a piece of cloth, and water
is poured upon it, and strained. The strained
liquid is drunk in a lota, uttering the name of
Daoji, who is considered as the god of bhang
drinking; uttering the name of Daoji is consider-
ed essential. Charas and ganja are also smoked
generally in company. The charas smokers will
first make a light with dried bark of tree, and
then, when the light is ready, they will put some
prepared tobacco at the bottom of his chillum,
which is somewhat longer than the usual chillum,
and then the charas, covering it at the top again
with some tobacco. Then they will put the light.
They will then utter the name of Mahadeo Bom
Mahadeo and commence taking a long whiff.
The chillum is passed very quietly to one after an-
other. Ganja is also smoked in the same manner.
It is mixed with raw tobacco, and then pressed
and kneaded by the thumb on the left palm. It
is then cut to pieces with knife and again knead-
ed. In this way they make three cuts, and when
the whole thing is soft and waxy, they put it into a
chillum and smoke. These processes or customs
are considered essential, and they must be adhered
to, whether the drugs are taken in moderate or in
excessive quantity. It generally leads to the
formation of the habits, and if taken in excessive
quantity will prove injurious to health.
On some festive occasions as Holi among many
classes, such as Thakurs, Jats, Banias, etc., it is
considered essential to take little bhang.
36. In some rare instances I have come to know
that some of the Chaubes, who are known as
bhang drinkers, have taken to alcohol. But I
believe they take this as a luxury or as a variety.
Some habitual excessive ganja or charas smoker
will take alcohol when he has got the means for
it.
37. The effects of charas smoking are more
injurious than those of ganja. This is the opini-
on among the charas and ganja smokers, and I
think they are right. Those who smoke charas
immediately after the whiff they fall into a fit
of cough. But such is not the case with ganja.
The intoxicating power of both ganja and charas
is very rapid. It sets in almost within a few
minutes after the whiff. Those who take exces-
sive quantity of ganja or charas, their peculiar
vol. v.
Y