334
but not so difficult as opium with the opium-eaters.
The moderate consumers may turn to excessive
ones.
32. No custom, either social or religious, in regard
to the consumption of the drugs in question here.
33. The people generally regard the ganja-
smokers with some degree of hatred. There is no
concern with the religion here. The ganja-smokers
are generally of peevish and hot temperament, and
so they are disliked by the people. No custom of
worshipping hemp plant here.
34. It would certainly be a serious privation to
habitual moderate or excessive ganja consumers to
forego the use of the drug. They lose their energy
and appetite. I have no idea of the probable
numbers of each class.
35. It would not be feasible to prohibit at
once the use of the drug. If it is prohibited, then
ganja-smokers will resort to illicit dealings. A
prohibition is not therefore desirable, as it will
render a serious discontent among the consumers.
No political danger is apprehended in disconti-
nuing its use. The prohibition of the ganja-
smoking is very likely to be followed by recourse
to alcoholic stimulants or other narcotic drugs.
36. I do not think.
37. I have no knowledge of the charas-smok-
ing.
38. No difference.
39. Smoking of the preparation of the hemp
plant is more injurious than drinking the same in
any of its forms, because the smokers generally
possess the diseases of the lungs, as chronic catarrh,
bronchitis and asthma.
40. Yes; bhang and ganja frequently used by
the kabiraj for medical purposes. Yes; bhang is
used for the diseases of the cattle.
41. The moderate use of bhang and ganja is
beneficial to a certain extent: (a) as a digestive,
(b) to alleviate fatigue and exposure, (c) as a
preventive of diseases in malarious and unhealthy
districts. (d) It is a powerful aphrodisiac.
The
drug is generally used by the low classes of
people, such as palki-bearers, Domes, Chamars,
etc. I refer the above to habitual moderate
consumers. Higher classes of people occasionally
use the drug for its aphrodisiac effect.
42. The moderate use of the drug is beneficial
to health to a certain extent.
43. Yes.
44. The immediate effect is to exhilarate the
nervous system. It is refreshing to some extent.
It produces intoxication. It does not allay
hunger; on the contrary, it increases the appetite.
The effect lasts from two to twelve hours accord-
ing to the dose and the nature of its preparation,
and according to constitution of the persons using
the drugs, the after-effects of the drug being
general depression. Yes; uneasiness and longing
of the drug is felt if not subsequently used in
time.
45. (a) to (e) No. I have not seen any evil
result mentioned when taken moderately, but it is
very difficult to keep the moderation.
46. All the faculties, mental, physical and
moral, are impaired by the excessive use of the
ganja-smoking.
47 and 48. No.
49. Ganja is used as an aphrodisiac occa-
sionally in moderate doses. Not used by the pros-
titutes as an aphrodisiac. Not injurious for this
aphrodisiac purpose.
50. The excessive use of the drug produces im-
potency and other injurious effects.
51. Habitual moderate ganja consumers are not
bad characters. Moderate consumers do not gene-
rally commit any crime while under its influence.
52. The excessive use of the drug generally
leads to the commission of crime or any other
social violence.
53. I have no experience of the occasion of any
particular case.
54. No.
55. It may occur, but I have no personal know-
ledge of any particular case.
56. The effects of hemp plants used in modera-
tion or in excess are modified by the admixture
of other substances. Dhatura is occasionally mix-
ed to increase the narcotic effect of the drug
bhang.
57. I have no knowledge of the use of the
drugs in eating or drinking.
58. So far I am aware, the present system of
excise administration is working well.
60. No cultivation here.
61. No production of charas here.
62. No cultivation of hemp plant for the 'pro-
duction of bhang here.
65. Bhang and charas are not used, and hence
not imported. The present taxation on the ganja
seems to be excessive.
66. Yes.
67. Yes; the present system of taxation on
ganja seems objectionable.
68. Yes; there are shops licensed for the sale
here, and they should continue to exist for the
convenience of the public.
69. Wishes of the people are consulted before
any shop is opened in any particular locality.
70. I have no knowledge under this head.
133. Evidence of REV. D. MORISON, M.B., C.M., M.D., Medical Missionary,
Rampur Boalia.
1. I have lived for about fifteen years in Rampur
Boalia, and have had occasion to give the matter
some attention medically, socially and morally.
I am acquainted with the medicinal properties of
the drug, and have observed its effects physically
and morally on some natives in whom I am inter-
ested as head of this mission.
2. The plant known to us in Rajshahi is the
dried flowering tops, flattened, of the Cannabis
sativa, and I am informed that no other kind of
ganja is sold in the shops, nor are the people in
the habit of using any other form of the drug,
except in exceptional and extreme cases, when the
leaves and stems of the wild plant are used as a
substitute for the cultivated plant. The cultivated
plant is so cheap, so conveniently obtained, and
so much superior in its intoxicating qualities, that
the wild plant, with risk of detection and heavy
fine and its disagreeable after-effects, is almost
never resorted to, except in desperate cases, when