562
case of bhang, which is usually drunk, the effects
usually last for hours together, but in case of ganja
smoking not more than half an hour or so. There
are no after-effects. Yes, the want of subsequent
gratification produces longing and uneasiness in a
habitual consumer.
45. It is very difficult to draw a line of demar-
cation between moderate use and immoderate use.
As far as my experience goes, habitual consumers
scarcely keep within such a bound as not to be
more or less sufferers in the long run. In such
cases the constitution, the appetite, and the moral
sense are more or less impaired. Moderate habi-
tual use has not, I believe, much to do with dysen-
tery, bronchitis, asthma, or insanity.
But immoderate habitual use sometimes brings
on these diseases, especially the latter. In cases
of insanity personally known to me, it appeared
to me to be the exciting and not the predisposing
cause of the disease, and the disease pertained to
the characters of mania. I have seen both per-
manent and temporary mania resulting from the
use of ganja. In temporary cases the symptoms
may be re-induced by the use of the drugs after
liberation from restraint. The symptoms are in
most cases those of mania, and have no speciality
apart from that.
Yes, insanes having no recorded history confess
to the use of the drug. I have never come across
any cases in which insanity has resulted from the
use of the drug by persons suffering from mental
anxiety or brain disease to relieve pain; neither am
I in a position to produce any evidence to indicate
that insanity may often tend to indulgence in the
use of hemp drugs, etc., etc.
46. Vide my answer to the question 45.
47. No, it is not.
48. My answer to the question 47 does also apply
to this question.
49. Bhang and ganja are said to be aphrodisiac,
but I know of no instance in which any of these
drugs has ever been used for this property. I can-
not say if it is so used by prostitutes.
50. My answer with reference to the question,
of moderate use does also apply to the question.
56. I have no personal knowledge on the subject
except in cases of ordinary admixtures, such as sugar
and milk, etc. Sugar at least seems to increase the
intensity of the effects. I have only heard of
dhatura being mixed with bhang for consumption
or for administration to others, but not of nux-
vomica or opium being so used.
57. I have never heard of charas being drunk or
eaten. When bhang or ganja are so used, the
symptoms are more intense and more lasting than
those of smoking the drugs. With this difference
they are the same in character.
26. Evidence of BAIKUNTHA KUMAR NANDI, Hindu Kayasth, Assistant Surgeon,
Nayasarak, Sylhet.
1. From the ganja smokers and from the cases
of insanity brought to me for treatment.
2. Yes; the definitions may be accepted for
Sylhet. They are called charas, ganja, bhang or
siddhi by the Sylhet people. Ganja and bhang
are consumed in this district. Charas is not used
in Sylhet as far as I know.
23. Yes; I met with a ganja-smoker who told
me that bhang is used for smoking by the poorer
classes of people in the Mufassal when the shop
runs short of the stock of ganja.
28. (a) Cost from Re. 1 to Rs. 2
29. (a) Dried tobacco leaves are ordinarily
mixed with ganja to make it mild.
(b) Dhatura
seeds are sometimes mixed to intensify the intoxi-
cating power of ganja.
I have heard of the bhang massala, but have
never seen it, nor do I know the ingredients of
which it is made.
30. The ganja-smokers seem to take special
delight in smoking the drug in company. But
they do not refrain from consuming when no other
smoker is at hand. Yes, it is mainly confined to
the male sex. But the females are not free from
it. No, it is not usual for children to consume
these drugs. The women of the cooli and mehtar
class and the prostitutes do smoke ganja.
31. Ganja smoking is easily formed. It is very
difficult to break off the habit. I know one or
two cases where the consumers have given up the
habit; but such instances are few. Yes; modera-
tion grows into excess in some cases.
32. Ganja smoking is resorted to mostly by the
lower class Hindus in what is called Trinath's
Seva or the worship of "three-nath," i.e., Seva.
This is a religious custom in which a group of
friends meet at night. The least cost of such a
custom is said to be only three pice, but this limit
is exceeded very often. Ganja smoking is essen-
tial and every one present will smoke. This is the
first step, and most of the confirmed ganja-smokers
are initiated into this baneful habit here. It is
generally temperate. Pills made of bhang, dha-
tura seeds, sugar and milk are taken on Saraswati
(goddess of learning) Puja day by the devotees.
They indulge in excess. The pill is not essential
for the Puja.
36. I do not know that alcohol is being to a
certain extent substituted for any of these drugs.
37. The symptoms come on later in cases of
the drinking of bhang. I am not aware of any
other difference in the effects of these drugs.
40. Ganja is prescribed by the native quacks in
cases of cholera. A clerk in the Deputy Com-
missioner's Office tells me that he was given
ganja to take internally by a quack when he was
attacked with cholera. He was under the influ-
ence of the drug for three days, after which he
was well. Ganja is prescribed in the disease of
elephants, in what form and for what disease is
not known to me.
41. (a) and (b) Yes, in cases of those who are
addicted to the habit.
(c) I have no experience about this.
42. Not harmless, because moderate habit may
grow into excess, and that continued excess may
impair the nervous system and throw the mind
out of balance.
44. Ganja smoking produces exaltation of the
mental functions and pleasurable kind of hallucina-
tion. It acts as a stimulant, thus refreshing the
system. Yes; it produces intoxication. It allays
hunger and also creates appetite. Duration of
effect depends on the dose. It lasts generally
28. (a) Cost from Re. 1 to Rs. 2
(b)
"
"
5 " 10 or more.