487
been used for stupefaction instead of dhatura. I
refer the Commission to the criminal records and
asylum reports for facts which established the evil
effects of the drugs both as regards health and
crime. After so many years what remains on one's
mind is general impression.
Question 49.—I have been told by persons who
used hemp for the purpose that it has aphrodisiac
effects. It is used instead of cantharides because
the latter has dangerous effects, just as quinine is
similarly used at home.
Question 69.—I cannot quote any case in which
a representation has been made regarding the sale
of these drugs without meeting with notice from
the authorities,
70. Evidence of the REV. G. A. LEFROY, Member of the Cambridge Mission, Delhi.
1. I know scarcely anything about the matters
with which this Commission deals. I have, how-
ever, come across in my work among the Chamar
caste a few facts in connection with the smoking of
charas which may possibly be worth recording. I
give them in answers to questions 31 and 33.
31. I only know about charas. I do not believe
the habit of smoking it is very quickly formed. I
have known two or three cases of young men who
have commenced it, but, on being reasoned with on the
subject, have given it up. On the other hand, when
once formed, I believe it is very difficult to break.
I have watched five or six men at different times
who have wished to give it up. I have had them
supplied with such medicines as seemed likely to
check the craving, and also supplied with milk,
which is considered a great help in overcoming it.
Of them all, I believe only one completely broke with
it, if he did, of which I am not perfectly sure. The
others either resumed charas or took to bhang or
chandu or some other drug.
33. Amongst the Chamars the practice of charas
smoking, though very widely practised, is regarded
as morally and physically injurious. Some members
of this caste became Christians, and I was arrang-
ing for them to live in a little court separate from
their old caste-fellows. At the wish of the first
men who came to me a rule was framed that no
charas smoker, unless he gave up the habit, should
be admitted to the Christian basti. Amongst the
Chamars, I have often heard the expression "wuh
to charasi hai, us ka kya thik !" (he is a charas
smoker, you can't depend on him), showing the
morally deteriorating effect which they believe the
habit has. Physically also they recognise it as
injurious. It is true that men may go on, as
many do, smoking it for thirty or forty years
without any evil effect being apparent. In such
cases they are steady moderate consumers, and so
far as I know there is no necessary tendency to in-
crease the amount as the years go on. Yet even in
these cases, whenever sharp illness, pneumonia or the
like, comes, the people themselves say " he has no
chance; his inside is all burnt out with the charas,"
and it usually proves so; they have very little
stamina. In numerous other cases, the evil effects
are apparent very much sooner, whether owing to
weaker constitutions, or to the moderate use not
being adhered to, but gradually passing to an
immoderate one, I cannot say. The man dries up
altogether, his flesh falls away, and he is soon fit
for nothing, and dies.
To the best of my belief, charas smoking while it
may be used so moderately as to postpone very much
the appearance of evil effects, has no legitimate use,
and is never otherwise than in greater or less
degree injurious.
71. Evidence of the REV. A. W. HEYDE , Missionary, Kyilang, Kangra District.
7. In British Lahul all the zamindars cultivate
a small piece of ground, if possible, close to their
houses on which hemp is grown for the sole purpose
of obtaining its fibre. The fibre is made into thin
strings with which the straw shoes (búla), which
are in general use in Lahul, are sewn together.
23. In British Lahul very few people smoke bhang,
which is obtained from traders who convey it from
Ladakh or Yarkand to Hindustan. It is grown
and prepared in Yarkand.
Much bhang is smoked by the inhabitants of
Chamba Lahul, but can give no particulars. My
informant said that around Triloknath everybody
of the males smoke bhang.
72. Evidence of the REV. M. M. CARLETON , Missionary, Kulu.
I received from your office a circular from
the Hemp Drug Commission asking for informa-
tion. I have no information to give from this
part of Kulu. Wild hemp does grow here abun-
dantly, but all the use made of it is from the bark
to make ropes for home or domestic use. No al-
coholic drinks are ever used in this whole region of
country, as the people have never been cursed by
Government distilleries.