69
to develop into excess other than would be the
case in any other from of self-indulgence which
the person permitted to become excessive.
32. During the Durga Puja, bhang is drunk
on the night after the images have been thrown
into the water, but not generally leading to excess.
Siddhi made up into balls with molasses and
ghee is also offered to Ganesh at his festival in
the month of Bhadro, but the amount in each ball
is very small and would not produce intoxication.
I do not think these ceremonies would be likely
to lead to the formation of a ganja habit, coming
as they do at such long intervals.
33. The taking of ganja is looked down upon
by the people, and held in disrepute on account of
its effects. The habit of taking siddhi or bhang,
however, is not looked down on, being more general
and less harmful.
34. It would be a serious privation to habitual
ganja consumers to forego its use. It is smoked
by the poor as being a cheaper form of intoxication
than liquor, and its effects more lasting. If
deprived of it, they would therefore probably take
to smoking the kuchila or dhatura seeds, which are
both injurious.
35. I do not think it would be feasible as regards
Orissa, owing to the facility for smuggling
from the Tributary States. Its prohibition would
also cause great discontent, as in Orissa the con¬
sumption of these drugs takes the place of alcohol.
As stated in last question, its prohibition would
probably lead to the consumption of other drugs
equally or more injurious.
36. Not in Orissa.
37. I do not know.
38. Rajshahi ganja (round) is the strongest,
but the nature of their effects is similar in different
degrees, and stronger than that of the Gurjat
ganja.
39. The smoking of ganja is said to be more
injurious than drinking of siddhi or bhang, and
for this reason the habit of taking ganja is more
looked down on than the other.
40. Siddhi is used as a drug in the case of
bowel-complaints by native doctors.
41. Siddhi is considered to be—
(a) a digestive;
(b) it certainly gives staying power and
alleviates fatigue, as shown in the
case of palki bearers;
(c) it is believed to be a febrifuge;
(d) is believed to be good for old people
on account of its being digestive.
42. Siddhi in moderation would seem to be
harmless, as the consumers of it are not prevented
by it from doing their ordinary duties, nor are
they looked down upon. As regards ganja
smoking, I am not in a position to give a reliable
opinion.
43. Yes.
44. Moderate.
Ganja-smoking is refreshing, does not produce
complete intoxication, but after the effects are
past does not allay hunger. However, in the
case of fakirs, it must allay hunger, as they take
very little food. The want of it produces longing
and uneasiness.
45. The effect of these drugs varies, naturally,
with the different constitutions of the consumers.
The moderate use of siddhi, as noted above, is not
very injurious. The habit of ganja smoking
certainly is.
I cannot say that the moderate use of these
drugs tends to produce insanity, either temporary
or permanent.
46. The habitual excessive use of ganja some¬
times produces insanity. The act done by a
person when under its intoxicating effects should
not, however, be held to prove temporary insanity
for the time, any more than the insane acts of a
drunkard. In this asylum there are eighteen
inmates; of these three are reported as having
been ganja smokers, but two of them deny the
fact that they ever took ganja and express no
desire for the drug. There is thus one admitted
case out of eighteen.
47. It does not appear to be a hereditary habit,
or to affect the children of the moderate consumer.
Of course in a house where the father takes these
drugs the sons when they grow up are more likely
to take to it from example, than where the father
is not a consumer.
48. The same answer as the last question.
49. It is said to produce a stimulating sexual
effect on beginners, but not to have this effect
after its use becomes habitual. Used in this way
it is doubtless injurious as leading to excess of
sexual indulgence and consequent injury to the
constitution. It is so consumed by males only,
and not by prostitutes. The moderate use of
ganja is not said to produce impotence.
50. The same answer applies as to No. 49 in a
greater degree. The excessive use of ganja is
said to produce impotence, but it does not appear
that the same result is caused by the excessive use
of siddhi.
51. I am not aware of any proportion between
the moderate use of these drugs and crime.
52. Their excessive use, no doubt, leads to
crime by producing a violent form of intoxication,
and by rendering the person for the time being
not fully aware of the effects of what he is doing.
53. I do not know of any case.
54. I do not know of any such case.
55. I have occasionally heard of such cases.
Probably some other narcotic drug was also added
to strengthen the effect of the ganja or siddhi.
56. Hemp used in moderation is not generally
mixed with other drugs. When used in excess,
kuchila seeds or dhatura are someti mes mixed.
Their effect is injurious. It intensifies the action
of the ganja and prolongs its effects.
57. In Puri District, the Gurjat ganja is also
drunk with milk, and sugar and spices. In this
way it is much consumed by the "Pandas"
attached to the Jagannath Temple. They are
illiterate men, and mostly reported to be immoral,
but their immorality is probably due to their
being idle and overfed. Physically they do not
suffer from taking ganja in this form.
58. The present system is working well. The
consumption of ganja might be to some extent
curtailed by raising its price.
59. If the duty on ganja were raised, and
consequently its price, only to such a point as
to induce consumers to reduce their average con¬
sumption, and not to deprive them entirely of it,
the habit might be somewhat checked.
60. Ganja is not cultivated in Orissa. In the
Tributary Mahals its cultivation is practically
uncontrolled by the Rajas.