461
which is religiously forbidden to them, and con-
sequently they cannot smoke charas.
Mental or brain diseases are well known to the
native physicians, who never prescribe bhang in
their treatment of these diseases.
The medicinal use of bhang allowed by Hindu
physicians is confined to the improvement of phy-
sical strength only.
46. The habitual excessive use of these drugs
produces noxious effects on the body.
It causes debility, shivering of limbs, weakness
of nerves, delirium, insanity, anguish of mind,
mania, cowardice, laziness, loss of appetite and
sexnal power.
It deadens the intellect, injures digestion,
blackens the blood and complexion, and weakens
the retentive power. If the consumer is cured
of the above symptoms, they are reinduced to
some extent by the use of bhang as soon as res-
traint is removed, but not so much as in the case
of charas.
47. The habitual moderate use of these drugs
is not a hereditary habit, and does not affect in
any way the children of the moderate consumer.
48. The same is the case with the habitual
excessive use of these drugs, but excessive use
of charas is apt to destroy the spermatozoa.
49. I repeat my answer already given, viz., mod-
erate use of these drugs cannot be said to be
aphrodisiac, and the prostitutes do not use them
for any special purpose. The moderate use of
bhang does not affect potency, provided the con-
sumer gets wholesome food.
50. The excessive use of bhang and charas is
physically injurious, as stated in my answer to
question 46.
56. The quantity of bhang mixed with other
substances for medicinal use has been fixed after
various trials. It will be used moderately, and
its use will not only be less injurious, but will, as
far as I know, be beneficial physically. Dhatura
is mixed with charas by criminals only.
57. I never heard that charas was sometimes
eaten.
I have given my experience, and there are no
opinions which I desire to lay before the Commis-
sion.
52. Evidence* of NARAYAN DASS, Brahmin, Shopkeeper and Physician,
Rawal-
pindi.
1. Seventeen years' practice and experience.
2. Dr. Plain's statement about the hemp plant
is correct. Ganja and charas are not manufac-
tured in this province, and the former is not even
consumed here. Charas alone is consumed in this
country, and it is imported from the direction
of Yarkand and Kashmir. Bhang is a produce
of this country.
19. I know nothing about ganja, as it is not
used in this province. Charas is smoked, and
there is no other use to which it is put.
23. Bhang is only drunk and is not smoked.
28. (a) One tola.
(b) Five tolas.
29. (a) Musk is mixed with charas for per-
fuming it and is then smoked. (b) Dhatura,
opium, vomic nuts, etc., are not mixed with
charas for the sake of strong intoxication. Dirt,
dust and small leaves of bhang are often mixed
with charas.
30. These drugs are generally consumed in
company. The habit is not confined to any time
of life. It is not usual for children to consume
them.
31. The habit of using bhang and charas is
easily formed, and it is not difficult to break it
off. There is a tendency for the moderate habit
to develop into the excessive.
32. There is no social or religious custom which
enjoins the use of charas or bhang. In Hindu
temples, however, small doses of bhang are
offered to visitors as a sacred thing and the habit
is thus gradually formed. There is no such custom
in respect of charas.
36. No.
37. As ganja is not used in this country, I
cannot state the difference of its effects from those
of charas-smoking. The intoxication of bhang
is stronger and lasts longer, but the intoxication
of charas is instantaneous.
39. The eating and drinking of charas and
ganja can in no way be less injurious. The effect
in both forms is alike and does not injure the
constitution.
Excessive use, indeed, creates
melancholia and weakens lust.
40. Charas is not used medicinally; but bhang
is so used for the treatment of men and cattle.
41. Some people use bhang—
(a) as a food accessory or digestive;
(b) to give staying-power under exposure;
and
(c) as a febrifuge; and it proves effica-
cious.
42. The moderate use of bhang and charas is
harmless, because no bad effects are visible.
44. It is refreshing, produces intoxication, allays
hunger, and when the intoxication disappears
the consumer feels hungry, and the want of sub-
sequent gratification produces no uneasiness.
45. The habitual use of charas and bhang
causes no physical or moral noxious effects. It
indeed weakens the brain, owing to which the
eyesight is impaired; but does not impair the
constitution in any other way. Charas, of course,
causes loss of appetite and bronchitis and asthma,
but does not impair the moral sense. It induces
laziness, and the consumer has no inclination for
debauchery. It neither deadens the intellects not
produces insanity.
Sometimes the excessive use of charas pro-
duces temporary insanity. Consumers of charas
do not admit that its use produces insanity.
Persons suffering from mental anxiety or brain
diseases never use these drugs to obtain relief.
Insanity does not tend to indulgence in the use
of bhang and charas by a person whose intellects
are weakened. On the contrary, by the excessive
use of charas, the heartfelt desire to indulgence
in the use of these drugs disappears.
* Translation.