147
lower classes that smoke ganja, a respectable mem-
ber of society found to indulge in it is at once
considered to have degraded himself to the level
of the lower classes.
34. Yes, to the Saivas (sanyasis), bairagies,
day-labourers (palki-bearers), and fishermen if they
have to give up ganja-smoking. The reasons can
be found in the answer to question 27. In the
Bangaon sub-division of the Jessore district, there
are no less than 3,000 men of this class.
35. (a) No.
(b) Possibly, but not to any great extent.
(c) By legislative enactment.
(d) The discontent in Bengal would not be
serious.
(e) Certainly not in Lower Bengal.
(f) The lower classes would take to "tari" and
the higher to liquor.
36. Yes, among the higher strata of society in
Lower Bengal. This is due to the fact that the
habit of ganja-smoking is considered as degrad¬
ing and humiliating, while that of drinking is
literally believed to be ennobling among the half-
educated classes. Besides, there is a difference
in the nature of the intoxication produced by
ganja and liquor. Ganja never produces that
exuberance of animality that is produced by
liquor, and young, well-to-do people delight in
this state of intoxication. People who have
taken both ganja and liquor say that since the
outstill system was established there has been
very little difference in the amount of intoxica¬
tion purchasable for one anna as between ganja
liquor, and yet the intoxication of liquor is of a
superior kind. The proof is that I have known
personally some two dozen men who have given
up ganja for country liquor.
37. Yes; smokers say that the intoxication of
charas is "in the eye," of siddhi "in the memory
and the imagination," of ganja "in the brain and
the nerves." I understand that charas produces
a mild form of intoxication, which does not com¬
pletely permeate the system or break down the
constitution in the same way as excessive ganja-
smoking does.
38. In degree only, not in kind. Chur intoxi¬
cates most, round next, and flat next. It is said
this difference in degree is due to the quantity of
intoxicating material present in the three varieties,
chur costing most and flat least.
40. Yes, vide reply to question 19.
41. (a) Yes, as regards all three drugs.
(b) Yes.
(c) Ganja alone has this property.
(d) Ganja-smoking has been known to nip
an attack of cholera in the bud. I have heard an
old planter say that where no other medicine was
available the moderate smoking of ganja cured no
less than 60 per cent. of the men attacked with
cholera.
The moderate habitual use is referred to in case
of (a) and (b); the moderate occasional use in (c)
and (d).
43. Certainly.
44. (a). The immediate effect is an increase in
the circulation of blood and exhilaration of
spirits. (b) Yes, it is. (c) It does. (d) I do
not believe that moderate use of any of these
drugs allays hunger. On the contrary, it in¬
creases hunger. Excessive use deadens appetite.
(e) Yes; each of these drugs creates appetite if
used moderately. (f) The effect lasts for an
hour or two. (g) No after-effects. (h) No long¬
ing or uneasiness except in the excessive use.
The effect of ganja in producing exhilaration
of spirits is instantaneous. That is why ganja is
called "Turitananda" (instantaneous pleasure-
giver).
45. (a) to (e) No.
(f) No. No instance known in which insanes
who have no recorded ganja history have confessed
to the use of the drug.
46. Yes, to the six questions of 45. The in¬
sanity is temporary. No case of permanent in¬
sanity due to ganja-smoking has come to my
knowledge. The insanity is of the violent type;
the man becomes a raving maniac. Yes, the
symptoms are induced by use of the drug for
some time after liberation. Can't tell if any of
the symptoms can be called typical.
Yes; in my opinion the use of the drug by
persons suffering from mental anxiety or brain
disease to obtain relief has been sufficiently con¬
sidered.
No; I don't think there is any evidence to in¬
dicate that insanity may often tend to indulgence
in the use of hemp drugs by a person who is defi¬
cient in self-control through weakened intellect.
I.—Bidesi Khalifa, a bearer in my employ.—
The man, according to his own statement, began
smoking ganja while twenty-two years of age.
Became an habitual excessive smoker in ten years.
Consumed daily four annas worth of ganja.
Became absent minded and dirty in habit at thirty-
five. Used to vomit food from time to time. Said
he had an indescribable sense of malaise. Was
still strong and healthy. A raving maniac at
thirty-eight. Was put under restraint. Got ema¬
ciated and haggard-looking after release. Wast¬
ing of the tissues began at forty. The left arm
became attenuated and useless at forty-two. At
this time would take only slice of bread and a cup
of tea in the morning, and a very light meal at about
4 P. M. Could work without food for a whole day.
Had no appetite of any kind. Would eat only a
morsel—a hand-ful of rice and dal—once a day.
Became awfully lazy, and would always suspect
the fidelity of his wife for no reason whatever.
Would frequent prostitutes' houses, although
impotent. Was known as cracked. Another
attack of insanity at forty-four. Was put under
restraint for ten days only. Remained weak and
skeleton-like, and talked more nonsense than sense.
Began to have periodical attacks of dysentery.
Died of dysentery in two days at forty-six years
of age.
II.—Sarat Chandra Ray Chowdry of Halisa-
har.—
Very respectably connected. Began to indulge
in ganja while yet a student in a Calcutta school.
He was then about eighteen years of age. Exces¬
sive chastisement at home drove him into bad com¬
pany, and he increased the dose to nearly two
annas worth per diem. Became absent-minded
and rather loud. As a boy, was quiet and
unassuming. No insanity or ganja-smoking in the
family. This at twenty-one years of age. Began
loitering about in the streets. Would seldom go
home for meals. Attacked some young women
who fell in his way. His eyes about this time
indicated madness. The fit passed off during the
winter months and returned again in May next.
Ran away from home when twenty-five years of
age, and has not been heard of since.
Y 2