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23. Evidence of DR. H. A. MACLEOD, Civil Medical Officer, Garo Hills.
1. Only general observations.
2. As far as I know, the names are the same.
19. Used for smoking.
23. Sometimes by lower classes when ganja is
not obtainable.
29. (a) With ganja, tobacco leaf, and rose water.
With bhang, molasses, pepper, cucumber seeds,
ghi, milk, and aniseed.
(b) Dhatura is mixed with bhang to increase the
narcotic effect.
30. Bhang is generally used in solitude; ganja
and charas in company. It is mainly confined to
the male sex. Children don't usually consume
any of these drugs, but learn to smoke by imitation.
31. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
(c) I believe not in the case of bhang.
32. Ganja and bhang are used by jogis to
enable them to perform their religious vows.
During Durga and Lakhi Pujas, it is customary
to offer sweets and bhang when friends visit.
36. Yes. Causes are imitation and the slight
narcotic effects produced by alcohol.
37. The effects of charas are more rapid than
those of ganja. Bhang causes inebriation of a
cheerful kind, a desire to eat food with relish, and
to seek aphrodisiac enjoyments. It causes no
nausea or sickness, and has no effects on the
bowels. Its effects are more lasting.
Ganja
causes agreeable reveries, heaviness, and laziness,
but the man can be roused to discharge routine
occupations, such as punkah-pulling. Its narcotic
effects are felt sooner than those of bhang.
40. Bhang is used for its medicinal properties.
It is also used for colic in cattle.
44. Is partly answered by the above
Bhang
is refreshing, produces intoxication, creates appe-
tite, and the effects last for about three hours,
when narcosis is produced. The after-effects are
slight giddiness and vascularity of the eyes.
Ganja is stimulant, anodyne, and narcotic. Its
effects lasts from one to two hours. The want of
subsequent gratification produces a longing and
uneasiness.
45. Causes bronchitis and asthma, and induces
laziness.
47. Does not appear to be hereditary.
49. Bhang is used as an aphrodisiac, and is
used by prostitutes.
24. Evidence of DR. J. MCNAUGHT, Civil Medical Officer, Nowgong.
1. None special, beyond enquiry from people
who use hemp.
2. The only sort obtainable in Nowgong is the
flat ganja. Charas is not imported. Round ganja
is not now imported. The broken ganja is not
imported.
19. No other uses than for smoking are known.
23. The wild hemp is said to be used for
smoking sometimes by people who cannot afford
to buy the excise ganja; but this is to a small
extent, as it is not so palatable.
28. Not known.
29. Not as far as known. No.
30. As the excise ganja only is imported, it is
used. The use of the drug is not very prevalent;
mainly confined to the male sex, principally adults.
Not given to children.
31. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
(c) Slight.
32. None known personally.
36. No.
37. Not known.
39. Not known.
40. Not known. The wild ganja is used for
cattle diseases by the people of Assam. They do
not buy the excise ganja for this purpose.
41. (a) Cannot say.
(b) Probably does so.
(c) Not.
42. It is said that in whatever frame of mind
or disposition the consumer of ganja happens to be
in, the use of the drug enhances or increases that
disposition, i.e., if there is a tendency to be
pleased or happy, the person becomes more pleased
or happy; if brooding over wrongs, these assume
an extreme form; if in a violent or quarrelsome
mood, this is increased so that assaults or murder
may result.
44. At the time of smoking the drug, whatever
tendency there is in the mind is then exalted.
The person feels refreshed, and there is in propor-
tion to the quantity consumed some intoxication.
The feeling of langour and weariness is not
noticed for the time. Want of subsequent grati-
fication produces uneasiness.
45. Every drug used regularly, and ganja also
has an effect upon the system that becomes a
habit, and whatever its effect, or relief, is sought
for at the usual time. Persons who have slight
control over their desires are liable to increase the
quantity or the times that it is used. The extra
stimulation of the brain with its symptoms of
intoxication must be prejudicial to a healthy
condition of body and mind. Those who are
deprived of it for a time feel uneasy or sometimes
suffer much from a weary feeling and aching of
the whole body, and they will make special
efforts to obtain it. Its use enslaves the person.
The habit of inhaling the smoke into the lungs
causes cough and irritability, and the gradual
deposit of carbon, even in small quantity, tends to
obstruct the air passages, and tends to bronchitis.
It deadens the intellect and moral sense, and
conduces to lazy habits which are tempered by fits
of extra exertion when the drug is used.
The drug tends to produce insanity if used in
excess. This is curable, but the use of the drug
again may re-induce insanity.
46. All the foregoing are more enhanced.
47. There is every probability of hereditary
tendencies in such cases.
48. Ditto. Enhanced.