462
drugs in a moderate degree may alleviate fatigue
by bringing on sleep and insensibility but with
bad after-effect.
(c) I believe not. There are different opinions
on the point. Ganja smokers are generally of
weak constitution.
42. I do not consider the moderate use of any
of the three drugs harmless, specially in the case
of those who are engaged in the intellectual pur-
suit of life. Those who wish to have their head
cool and hands steady should not use any of the
drugs. The use may he harmless, nay necessary
in the case of those who would otherwise catch
cold by exposure. In such cases the use may be
regarded in the same light as the use of any medi-
cine.
43. No; such consumers are generally found to
be angry-tempered men. They are suddenly pro-
voked. They annoy their neighbours by their
misconduct. They have generally thievish habits.
44. The habitual consumer feels refreshed by
the use of the drugs. Slight intoxication takes
place, which does not deprive him of his senses.
The use of ganja seems to allay hunger. The
use of bhang in a moderate quantity is said
to create appetite. In the case of charas,
the effect lasts from one to two hours. In the
case of ganja, the effect lasts a longer time.
In the case of siddhi, the effect lasts usually for
twelve or fourteen hours, sometimes for twenty-
four hours. I know the instance of a moderate
habitual consumer of ganja who could work with-
out taking any food in the day time, but he would
talk much and would seem to be of an irritating
disposition. He is no better than a mad man and
is very whimsical.
45. Yes, it produces bad effects. Yes, it does
impair the constitution. It impairs the nervous
system. It causes loss of appetite. So far as I
know, it causes asthma. It impairs the moral
sense materially and induces laziness and habits
of immorality and debauchery. It deadens the
intellect and produces insanity. The insanity
so produced is generally of a temporary char-
acter, curable by abstinence, and is likely to be
re-induced by the use of the drugs. It is only ha-
bitual excessive consumers and sometimes also
habitual moderate consumers who are attacked
with insanity. All bad results overtake them.
Unless thoroughly reformed, the ganja smoker
seldom finds fault with his habit and does not
make any sort of confession. It is doubtful whe-
ther moderate use of the drugs in the case of per-
sons not suffering from mental anxiety or brain
disease can bring on insanity. Such a constitution
may stand the effects of the habit. But in a per-
son who is suffering from mental anxiety or brain
disease the habit is highly injurious and ends in
bringing on insanity. Such men are usually prone
to indulge in excess. There are instances of men
deficient in intellect, who are induced by some-
body else to the habit. In course of time the habit
is formed. It is no longer kept in due bounds,
and the ultimate result is insanity or half-insanity.
Precisely is the case with those suffering from
any mental anxiety.
46. Habitual excessive use of any of the three
drugs is certainly injurious to health. It tells
heavily on the intellect and the moral power.
The nervous system is deranged. Laziness and
drowsiness are the result. Insanity is oftentimes
the fatal result.
47. It is not necessarily a hereditary habit. But
the children of those who use those drugs are often-
times corrupted by their examples. The sons of
boatmen, fishermen, and the disciples of religious
mendicants and singers often imbibe the habit.
48. See answer to question No. 47.
49 and 50. I know not whether it is so prac-
tised. Prostitutes who are ill-conditioned and who
are visited by the low and vulgar class do some of
them use the drugs for the purpose of intoxication,
and not so much for any other. They cannot
please their companions, unless they themselves
practise the same habit as that of those who visit
them. I do not think that the use of hemp pro-
duces impotence.
51. It is generally known that those who are
habitual moderate consumers commit petty thefts.
Those who are poor cannot afford to buy the drugs,
ganja and charas. They are pick-pockets, and
petty thieves. They lead such a life mostly for
the sake of purchasing the drugs.
52. Those who indulge in excess commit thefts,
robberies and dacoity. They cannot earn their
bread or the drugs by the sweat of their brow, and
consequently have generally recourse to those
easier methods.
53. It is very likely that it does. I have not
come across any such case.
54. Yes, most of them do so. Dacoits often do
so. Murderers also do the same.
55. Such cases are very rare, so far as I know.
I believe that complete stupefaction cannot be
induced by the drugs without some admixture.
56. The effects caused by the admixture are
well perceptible. Milk and sugar are sometimes
mixed with siddhi to increase the intoxicating
effect. Majum is prepared for the same purpose.
Dhatura is seldom used as an admixture. Only
veteran smokers do the same for personal consump-
tion. It is used by designing men for administer-
ing to others, either for satisfying a grudge or to
rob the helpless man of his property.
57. Ganja and charas are seldom eaten or drunk.
58. No; I am not acquainted with the present
system of Excise Administration, nor am I in a
position to say how the system is working.
59. No; I am not acquainted with the present
system of Excise Administration, nor am I in a
position to say how the system is working.
60 to 67. Unable to answer.
68. Yes. Exception is only taken when any of
those houses or shops are in the vicinity of any
school, or respectable neighbourhood. The shops
or houses should be at a respectable distance from
the houses of the residents of the locality as well
as from all public institutions and bathing ghats,
etc.
69. The wishes of the people are seldom consi-
dered. Most of the people do not know at all
that they have any right to make any objection.
They passively submit to what is done by the
authorities, but they invariably regard such shops
and houses as a nuisance. Yes, local public opinion
ought to be considered.
70. None that I am aware of.