521
(f) Excessive continued use deadens the in-
tellect. Insanity is met with among the con-
sumers of the drugs, but the question whether
it is due to the intemperate use of the pure drugs
or to predisposition has not been authoritatively
stated. The insanity is of a temporary character
and is confined chiefly to boys and youths of
an excitable nature. The likelihood of the occur-
rence of insanity in moderate consumers of the
drug is according to the duration of the pratice.
The adulteration of the drugs with poisonous
ingredients is said not unfrequently to induce
insanity, in which case the malady will probably
not recur provided the pure drug be used. It is,
however, advisable not to resume the practice
at all.
46. Habitual excessive indulgence leads to the
various evils enumerated in the above question.
Its immediate effect, if temperately taken, is to
produce the curious mental frenzy which causes
Orientals to run "amok."
47. No.
49. (a) Yes.
(b) No, but to keep up at night they do use
charas.
(c) No.
50. The excessive use of the drugs like all
excesses relaxes one's nerves and renders the con-
sumer useless.
51. No. The connection between crime in
general or with crime of any special character is
very slight indeed, if it exist at all.
52. Men bent upon the perpetation of violent
crimes are known to have recourse to excessive
doses of the drugs.
53. Opinions are divided; however, consensus
of opinion leans to the hypothesis that immoderate
indulgence leads in its remote effects to laziness
and generally want of energy—a condition most
unfavourable to criminal tendencies. Yes, the Sub-
Committee have been informed of a case in which
a boy of perverted nature attempted a murderous
assault on his parents, wife and other near
relatives.
54. See the foregoing answers.
55. Sometimes they do.
Yes, but rarely.
56. The effects are intensified. The Sub-
Committee possesses no information.
58. The Sub-Committee of the District Board
has not attempted to answer the questions in this
chapter.
248. Evidence of the DISTRICT BOARD, Patna.
1. We had no special opportunity to acquire
any special knowledge regarding matters connect-
ed with hemp drugs. The informations have
been collected from local sources.
2. The definitions, as far as our information
goes, are correct. They are known by the name
of bhang, charas, and ganja.
3. The spontaneous growth is said to be abun-
dant in Tirhut and North Monghyr. In the
district of Patna the growth is not such. It may,
however, be found here and there; but it is doubt-
ful whether they are spontaneous. Where it is
spontaneous, the dry leaves are used as bhang.
4. They do not bear separate names.
5. In damp and moist climates the growth of
wild hemp is said to be spontaneous.
6. Scattered.
7. We know of none in this district.
8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Nothing is known to us.
13. Reply given under 14, Chapter III.
14. We have no personal knowledge. From
information collected we have come to know that
the ganja is produced in the districts of Naogaon,
Rajshahi, Dinajpur and Bogra.
Charas produced nowhere.
Bhang produced in Tirhut and North Mon-
ghyr.
15. Nothing is known to us.
16. Bhang is generally prepared in the houses
of those who take it.
Besides that, when there is any gathering
of those who take it, it is prepared either on the
bank of the river, stream or tanks, or in any open
place.
It can be prepared from the hemp plant
wherever grown.
May be; but we have no information about
it.
17. We have no experience of its manufacture.
18. According to our information, they do de-
teriorate by long keeping. Probably so.
With ordinary care they may be kept in good
condition for about two years. Damp and exposure
are the causes of deterioration. To prevent dete-
rioration, they should be kept in dry place and
well secured from damp.
Nothing is known of charas.
19. Yes; ganja is used for medicinal purposes.
In itch it is mixed with camphor and cocoanut
oil. Mixing does not mean powdered, but when
oil is placed on fire, ganja leaves are put into it,
and when the oil is ready for use, it is thrown
away.
Those who indulge in ganja prescribe its use
in cold.
This is prevalent both in Bengal and Behar.
Charas is never used in any other purposes be-
sides smoking.
20. All classes of people smoke ganja and charas
and we could scarcely select out any who do not.
Its use is mainly restricted to the lower order of
Hindus and Muhammadans. From this it is not
to be inferred that the higher class of people reject
it altogether. But, as far as our information goes,
amongst the higher class it is used to a very
limited extent.
The other class with whom the ganja is a favour-
ite smoke is the Hindu sanyasis (mendicants).
All ganja-smokers may take charas, with the
exception of sanyasis.
People who live in damp climate and who are
exposed to inclement weather use ganja moder-
ately.
21. Flat (chipta) ganja is preferred. No other
kind is used.
3 Z