486
34. It would be a privation to suddenly forego
the consumption to all consumers, specially to
sadhus who are supposed to derive material help in
their jog-sadhan and in concentration of mind.
35. It is quite possible to prohibit the use of
charas, specially in Behar, inasmuch as it is
used by a small number of people, and that in
towns alone, and very rarely indulged in by the
respectable class. There is no likelihood, in the
case of charas, of its being illicitly used as it is
not a local preparation and has only to be imported;
and if its use is prohibited, there will be little or
no danger of smuggling. The case is quite differ-
ent with ganja and bhang. The consumers are
numerous and they are used invariably and un-
exceptionally by sadhus, who are notoriously held
in high reverence by the people generally. The
prohibition may come to be regarded as interference
with their religious liberties, and a colourable
interpretation might be put, which might cause
political danger. The illicit use of bhang can never
be prevented. It grows wild in every district of
Behar, and an effort to practically enforce the
prohibition might give those, to whom the duty
is entrusted, a handle for oppression. Most pro-
bably the prohibition will be followed by recourse
to alcoholic stimulants and other drugs. It may
not therefore be feasible to prohibit the use
of ganja and bhang, and it cannot but cause dis-
content if not political danger.
36 and 37. I believe so, as the use of alcoholic
stimulants is gaining ground as the trammels of
superstitions and prejudice are being shaken off
under the influence of English education, and
although at present wine is used illicitly by those
to whom the use is prohibited by religion, social
restraints are being gradually removed.
38. No.
39. Ganja or charas never eaten or drunk.
40. Old bhang is often used by hakims and vaids
to cure stomach diseases; it is also administered to
cattle and horses to ward off the effects of cold.
41. Moderate use gives a staying-power under
exertion and wards off the effects of exposure.
The use of these drugs is sometimes considered as
a febrifuge in malarious or unhealthy districts, but
I am not sure how far this belief is grounded on
actual facts.
42. Moderate use of bhang has not been known
to do much harm, but ganja and charas are very
mischievous, specially in case of weak-brained
men.
43. No, not by itself.
44. Refreshing, produces intoxication, creates
appetite. The after-effects are yawning, joint-ach-
ing, lethargy. Want of subsequent gratification
produces longing and uneasiness.
45. (b) Does impair the constitution, if not
accompanied by substantial food.
(c) Causes loss of appetite in the long run.
(d) Ganja has been known to cause bronchitis
and asthma.
(f) Ganja hardens the intellect and produces
insanity of a violent type though generally of a
temporary character.
46. Vide last portion of No. 45.
47 and 48. No.
49 and 50. I believe that although long and
habitual use of any drug in a very moderate
quantity may not be very prejudicial, yet these
drugs are not unfrequently used to enhance the
power of sexual intercourse; and the temporary
excitement induces a morbid habit and leads to
excessive indulgence, and may in that way bring
on impotency, if nutritious food is not taken to
counteract the effects of the excess and sustain the
power. It is used by prostitutes.
51, 52 and 53. No.
54. Yes, may be used by criminals to fortify their
nerves before the commission of crimes, but use of
drugs for such purposes is less frequent than that
of wine.
55. Yes, criminals do induce their victims to
partake of these drugs, but complete stupefaction
cannot be effected in each case without admixture.
Bhang may bring on complete stupefaction even
in strong brains, if the drug is boiled with current
pice or copper or mixed with dhatura.
56. The effect of bhang is increased by boiling
with pice and mixing with dhatura, and that of
ganja by mixture with khaini. Cannot say any
thing about charas.
57. I do not think they are ever eaten or drunk.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.—My age is nearly 33. I am
Pleader and Vice-Chairman of the Arrah Munici-
pality. I left college in 1883 or 1884, and have
been practising since 1886 as a Pleader.
Question 45.—In cases of naturally weak in-
tellects, ganja, even used in moderation, may cause
temporary insanity.
With this exception the
remark I have made under 45 (f) as to insanity
resulting from ganja applies only to the excessive
use. I know one case of a weak and ill-nourished
man whose insanity was attributed to ganja, and
he did not take it to excess. So many causes may
be working at one time to cause insanity that we
cannot confidently assign one cause, and therefore
I use the word "attributed."
Question 54.—A person intending to fortify
himself to commit a crime is likely to make use of
the intoxicant to which he is accustomed. And
those cases in which spirits have been used, have
come to my notice more frequently than cases in
which the hemp drugs have been used.
Question 69.—Local opinion is never, as far as
I am aware, consulted in the location of shops.
On one occasion, I moved the Collector to change
the site of a liquor shop which caused obstruction,
and the Collector wrote to me to select a new site
in consultation with the Excise Deputy Collector.
So far as I know, no letter has been sent to me
consulting me as to the location of the liquor
shops for the year; but I do not like to commit
myself on the point. I think the only way to get
local opinion regarding the location of ganja shops
would be to consult Local and District Boards.
These bodies are likely to represent the ideas and
wishes and interests of the rural population, and I
think they generally would do so. The practice
would differ from the theory, however, in some
cases, but we are bound to suppose that this would
be the case. Cretainly the gentlemen who sit on
the Boards would not represent the views of the
kahars and similar low castes who consume the
drugs. Such classes are not, in my opinion, com-
petent to judge of the mischief which the drug
may do them. The Local Boards might set them-
selves to ascertain the views and wishes of the con-
sumers, and in that case would be a sufficient repre-
sentation of them.