349
47. The habitual moderate use of hemp prepara-
tions is not in my opinion a hereditary habit, nor
does it in any way affect the children of the
moderate consumers.
49. The preparations of hemp have some aphro-
diasic properties, but I am not aware of their being
so used either by males or depraved females. It is
not, however, improbable that reprobate libertines
and the lower class of unfortunates might resort
to their use for their specific action on the sexual
organs.
50. See answers to questions Nos. 45 and 46.
56. I am not aware of other substances being
mixed with the preparations of hemp to enhance
their effects.
57. I do not know of ganja and charas being
eaten or drunk.
In conclusion, the use of hemp preparations
even in excess is not in my opinion so injurious to
the system of the consumers, or baneful to the
community at large, as the use of alcohol. If the
cases of insanity, which can be traced to the abuse
of this drug, were compared with the whole body
of consumers and the total number of insanes,
the ratio will, in my opinion, be found to be
but a minute fraction, and would hardly justify
the cost of labour and money that is being
bestowed on the subject. But this is a matter
foreign to the object of this query, and need
not be discussed in any length.
139. Evidence of DR. MOHAMMAD SADRUL HAQ, Medical Practitioner, Patna City.
1. Medical experience.
19. They are used only for smoking purposes.
Besides that, a kind of sweetmeat, called majun,
is prepared of bhang.
23. Bhang is never smoked of.
28. I have no personal information thereof.
A cooling beverage is prepared of bhang, and
drunk by male Hindus. Females and boys are
included.
29. I have no knowledge of such a massala.
Dhatura and nux vomica are generally put in
to increase the narcotic effect.
30. I have no knowledge of the extent of the
consumption of such drugs; but they are largely
used in company. They are confined to the male
sex only. Now and then little grown-up boys
are also allowed to drink bhang.
31. The habit of consuming bhang, etc., is
easily formed. Bhang is a common draught for
all male Hindus at sunset. Some educated
persons form exceptions. When the habit of
drinking bhang is once acquired, men of loose
character are led to smoke charas and ganja,
mixed with tobacco (dried leaf or guraku) in huka
or chillum, to increase their sexual pleasure. It is
difficult to lose the habit. In fact there is
always a tendency towards its excess.
32. Hindus believe that the drinking of bhang
is a religious custom, as their saint Sivji was always
in the habit of using bhang, charas and other
poisonous substances. Bhang is freely drunk by
male Hindus on the occasion of all pujas. It
is regarded by them as a religious custom.
Hindu monks use in the highest degree. The
effects of charas and ganja are more injurious than
those of bhang.
36. I do not know if alcohol is ever used as
substitute.
37. There is no difference of any particular type
in their injurious effects; but the effects of charas
are more powerful and lasting, and those of bhang
are mild. Charas and ganja act on the brain and
spinal cord, paralyzing more or less motor and
sensory nerves; consequently the loss of energy,
exertion, appetite and sexual power, and also
timidity, laziness and emaciation are their ultimate
results.
39. The drinking of bhang is less injurious.
Bhang does not act on the brain, nor does it
retard the process of digestion.
40. I do not know any trained medical man ever
prescribed ganja or charas for smoking. Cattle
are never treated by these drugs.
41. The use of any of these preparations has
always been injurious.
(a) None of these is ever used as an accessory
or digestive food.
(b) It does not produce staying-power, nor
does it alleviate fatigue.
(c) They are never used as febrifuge.
42. The use of these drugs is never without
any harm.
44. The moderate use of these drugs acts, in
the case of habitual consumers, as a little refresh-
ing. It does not produce intoxication but it re-
tards hunger. The effect lasts about an hour.
Drowsiness is its after-effect.
45. Certainly they produce noxious effect on
the moral and physical constitution.
140. Evidence of TRAILOKYA NATH MAJUMDAR,* Baidya, Medical Practitioner,
Bankipur.
1. From cases that have come under my ob-
servation in the capacity of a private citizen as
well as a medical practitioner.
2. Yes.
19. Ganja and charas are used only for smoking.
Siddhi is used both for smoking and drinking.
23. Yes. My observations in this respect are
confined to Eastern Bengal and specially to the
district of Jessore. There bhang or siddhi is used
in smoking by those who are accustomed to ganja
and charas generally, and sometimes by those
who do not smoke these preparations; but to a
very limited extent.
28. The words "moderate" and "excessive" are
relative terms. The average allowance and cost
* Was invited to attend at a meeting of the Commission for oral examination, but failed to appear.