39
In case of tobacco with charas and ganja the
object is to soften the narcotic effect and to give
a better flavour. Spices, etc., are used with siddhi
to improve the taste and also to increase its
intoxicating effect.
No. I do not know "bhang massala."
30. (a) Ganja and charas are smoked generally
in company. No privacy is observed in case of
drinking siddhi.
(b) It is mainly confined to the male sex and
not to any special time of life.
(c) No.
31. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
(c) Not to the same extent as alcohol or opium.
32. The consumption of ganja and charas are
not required by any social or religious custom.
Bhang is drunk partly as a religious and more as
a social custom on the fourth or last day of the
Durga Puja, as it is believed that success in life
results thereby, and the name itself, siddhi, im-
plies success. It is popularly believed to have
been the favourite drink of Siva, and is therefore
used as an offering to him by devotees. The use
is generally temperate, and there is no likelihood,
of its leading to the formation of a habit.
33. The smoking of ganja is held in disrepute,
but such is not the case with siddhi drinking or
charas smoking. The sentiment against ganja
smoking is, I think, due to the fact that its use is
confined generally to the lower castes. I am not
aware of any custom of worshipping the hemp
plant on any occasion by any sect of people.
34. Yes. The labouring class of the population
use ganja or charas as a stimulant to enable them
to do hard work. They cannot possibly give up
the practice without some substitute. Bhang
again could not be given up by the habitual con-
sumers without aggravating the complaints to
prevent which they had recourse to its use.
About 50,000 of the labouring classes of this
district use ganja as a stimulant for hard work.
There are no less than 10,000 habitual consumers
of siddhi; but the charas smokers are not more
than 300 in this district.
35. It is feasible to prohibit the use of charas
but not of ganja or siddhi. These two may be
consumed illicitly. I doubt if the prohibition
could be enforced with regard to them. The pro-
hibition would occasion serious discontent among
the consumers, but that would not amount to a
political danger. The prohibition would be fol-
lowed by recourse to other deleterious drugs.
36. Alcohol is to a very small extent substi-
tuted for these dugs. Amongst the better classes,
as stimulant, alcohol is considered superior. The
use of these drugs is gradually diminishing. Tari
to some extent has taken the place of ganja among
the lower classes of people, for it stimulates, and
at the same time satisfies hunger, although a little
costly.
37. Yes. The effect of charas smoking is con-
sidered to be milder than ganja smoking.
38. No.
39. Siddhi drinking is less injurious than
smoking charas or ganja. Smoking produces a
strong instantaneous effect, but drinking is decid-
edly an easier method of consuming a large quan-
tity at a time.
40. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
41. (a) Believed to be both.
(b) Yes.
(c) Yes.
(d) The use of ganja is supposed to enable a
man to concentrate his mind on a subject.
Labouring class, 75 per cent. of them. The
moderate use is referred to.
42. The moderate use is harmless, as it has no
after-effect on the system.
43. Yes.
44. (a) It invigorates and causes a pleasant
feeling of intoxication.
(b) Yes.
(c) Yes.
(d) No.
(e) Yes; it does when taken in the form of
siddhi.
(f) One hour in case of ganja and charas
and three to four hours in case of siddhi.
(g) No.
(h) Produces longing in case of habitual
consumers.
45. (a) No.
(b) In case of intemperate use it does.
(c) No.
(d) Yes, both in case of intemperate use.
(e) No.
(f) The moderate use does not deaden the
intellect or produce insanity. It is said that adul-
teration of the drugs with other poisonous ingredi-
ents, such as dhatura, etc., produces insa nity.
(g) It has been ascertained that of the in-
sane persons in the district, only 19 are considered
to have become so by the use of ganja. Of these
19 only one is reported to be violent. On suffi-
cient enquiry, and as well as from the confes-
sion of these persons, it was elicited that in the
majority of cases their insanity was due to other
causes, such as family misfortune, etc., and some
have taken to ganja after being insane. In four
cases no other cause for their insanity could
be ascertained, except the excessive use of the
drug.
46. Habitual excessive indulgence causes the
peculiar frenzy which causes Orientals to run
amuck.
47. No.
48. Same as above.
49. (a) Yes.
(b) It is used so by the lowest class of prosti-
tutes who frequent mêlas or fairs.
(c) I am not aware.
(d) No.
50. Same as above.
51. No.
52. No.
53. No
54. No.
55. No.
56. I have no personal knowledge of the ad-
mixture of other substances than what I have
already noted,
57. I do not know that ganja and charas are
eaten or drunk.