251
(c) Neither ganja nor bhang are considered a
febrifuge, but the lower classes believe it to be
a preventive of malaria; but I don't think this is
the case.
(d) It is commonly believed that ganja or
bhang drives away snakes, but this I consider
to be pure fiction.
My above remarks refer to habitual con-
sumers, but I don't think they use ganja or
bhang for these purposes; they generally contract
the habit and it grows on them.
42. I don't believe even the moderate use of
ganja and bhang to be harmless; they both cause
a gradual failure of health and strength, and they
certainly weaken the brains. This I have noticed
in those who take the drugs, and who may be
recognized by the redness and dilation of the eyes,
and their veins invariably stand out prominently.
43. Ganja smokers are generally avoided by
their neighbours; they are of very uncertain
temper, and the term "ganja smoker" is used as
an abuse.
44. The immediate effect of both ganja and
bhang is refreshing, and produces slight intoxica-
tion if taken in moderation. They do not allay
hunger, though they may give temporary or, I
should say, merely momentary relief. Ganja
creates appetite. The effect of ganja smoking
lasts three or four hours; eating and drinking
ganja or bhang ten to twelve hours. The after-
effects are depression and reaction, and also a
craving for more.
45. Bhang and ganja produce noxious effects,
physically,
mentally
and
morally.
They
gradually impair the constitution, though helping
digestion and creating appetite. The moderate
use of these two drugs does not cause dysentery,
bronchitis or asthma. Smoking ganja is used as
a remedy for asthma. They certainly induce lazi-
ness and habits of immorality and debauchery, and
gradually impair the intellect, but moderate use
does not produce insanity.
46. A prolonged excessive use of ganja pro-
duces insanity, and a case of this kind was pro-
minently brought to my notice when in charge of
the Bhadrak Sub-Division in the Balasore Dis-
trict. The man I refer to was totally insane and
belonged to the middle class, and had been serving
Europeans in the capacity of Sirdar Behara, but
on enquiry I found he had been brought to the
condition in which I found him by the excessive
use of ganja. About six months after, he came
to me at Nilgiri asking for service and apparently
quite sane, from which instance, I conclude,
insanity produced by ganja is temporary. The
typical symptoms are great violence, insensibility
to pain, and irritation of the skin. No ganja
smoker rendered insane will confess to its use;
the mere mention of the drug nearly drives him
wild.
I don't think insanity tends to indulgence in
the use of hemp drugs unless the person has pre-
viously been accustomed to take them. The
habit of consuming these drugs is an acquired
one and gradually grows on one. The taste at
first I believe is anything but pleasant.
47 and 48. The habitual moderate or excessive
use of ganja or bhang does not appear to be here-
ditary, nor does the habit affect in any way the
children of the moderate or excessive consumer.
49. The moderate use of ganja is practised to
excite venereal desire, and is known to be employ-
ed for this purpose by prostitutes. When so used,
it is certainly more injurious than as an ordinary
narcotic, as the injurious effect caused by the drug
is more permanent. The use of hemp decidedly
produces impotence.
50. Excessive use merely produces greater im-
potence, and is more injurious.
51. There are very few criminals among the
moderate consumers. I should say moderate con-
sumption of ganja or bhang has no connection
with crime generally, or crime of a special cha-
racter.
52. Excessive consumption of both ganja and
bhang leads in all probability to crime, the con-
sumers not being responsible for their actions
owing to the intoxicating effects. Usually crimes
of a daring nature, and those attended by violence,
are committed by ganja consumers.
53. Yes; the slightest provocation would incite
acts of violence wholly unpremeditated. I know
of no case in which excessive indulgence in these
drugs has led to temporary homicidal frenzy; but,
of course, insanity caused by excessive consumption
of ganja produces the disease, invariably attended
with great violence.
54. Yes; such cases have been known.
55. Yes. I have heard of such instances
though none have come under my own observ-
ation. Complete stupefaction can be induced by
bhang if taken in sufficient quantity.
56. Moderate consumers of ganja and bhang
hardly ever use any admixture, except tobacco
which is essential to smoking ganja. Those who
take the drugs to excess frequently mix dhatura
with both, more especially with bhang. In cases
of criminal drugging, bhang is often mixed with
dhatura, which causes almost immediate and com-
plete stupefaction.
57. The results from eating and drinking ganja
are pretty nearly the same as from smoking the
drug. Only in the former the effects last much
longer, and consequently are more injurious.
93. Evidence of MAHAMAHOPADHYA MAHESA CHANDRA NYAYARATNA, C. I. E.,
Brahmin, Principal, Government Sanskrit College, Calcutta.
1. I have very little information and knowledge
regarding the hemp drug. The sources of my in-
formation on the few questions I have answered
will appear under each question answered.
2. These definitions may be accepted. The
local names are siddhi or bhang, ganja and charas.
Other names are samvida and bijaya. The Sans-
krit lexicons give other names also, e.g., matangi,
chapala, ajaya, ananda, harshini, jaya, etc.
4. I have heard of the plant being called the
ganja plant or the siddhi plant, but never as the
charas plant.
20. Ganja is almost invariably smoked by sanya-
sis. Hackney carriage and cart drivers, mecha-
nics, day labourers, and Brahmin cooks engaged
by the day are often found to have contracted the
habit of smoking ganja. Some Uriyas smoke
ganja with tobacco and other leaves.
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