32
15. When the plants have attained a height of
2 to 3 feet, they are cut and sun-dried. They
are then beaten with sticks to separate the leaves
from the twigs.
The dried leaves constitute
bhang, and it is used either as the basis of an in-
fusion or a sweetmeat. It is not smoked.
16. It is made generally by excise vendors at
their homes. Yes, it can be prepared from any
species of hemp.
17. Bhang is usually made by persons who
have excise licenses.
18. Ganja and bhang deteriorate by long keep-
ing. They dry up and lose their power of intoxi-
cation. Deterioration arises from
damp, the
ravages of rats and the length of time during
which the drug is stored. If tin-lined air-tight
boxes are used, the drug can be kept for years.
19. No charas is consumed in this district.
In
rare cases it is chewed by ascetics, but it causes
vomiting. Oil is extracted from ganja and used
in medicine.
20. The labouring classes are the largest con-
sumers of ganja; but debauchees of all ranks and
public women also use it. Hindu fakirs are often
greatly addicted to it.
21. Flat ganja is preferred as containing less
dust and twigs than round, but there is really very
little choice.
22. No charas used in this district.
23. Not known.
24. Kayasthas, Brahmins, Kshetriyas and Mar-
waris consume bhang as a sweetmeat or infusion,
generally the latter.
25. On the decrease—not because people are
giving up narcotics, but because they cannot
afford to pay for such luxuries.
26. The number of moderate consumers is largest.
27. From the labouring classes who have to
undergo hard manual labour and others who are
given to nomad habits.
28. Four annas and 4 pice of ganja—half cha-
tak and 3 pice of bhang
One bhari and 2 aunas of ganja—1 chatak and
6 pice of bhang.
29. (a) Khaini or dry tobacco with ganja; and
sugar and water, and sometimes milk with bhang.
(b) Perfumes of various sorts, besides dry
tobacco with ganja; and milk, and else spices
which are usually used with betel, besides sugar
and water with bhang. Dhatura is not mixed
with either ganja or bhang. The object of the
admixture is to make it palatable.
No preparation as "bhang massala."
30. Bhang and ganja are both consumed in
company, but consumers of the upper class prefer
solitude. The consumption of ganja is principal-
ly confined to males, with whom the habit begins
at maturity. Young widows smoke ganja as a
means of killing the passions.
31. Yes; and when formed it is very difficult
to abandon it. There are cases of moderate con-
sumers who have always been such. But mode-
rate consumers have often increased their doses.
32. At the Sivaratri, Phaguah, Dussahra fes-
tivals the consumption of bhang is very brisk.
On the occasion of fairs (mêlas) the demand for
these drugs also increases.
33. At Sivaratri and Dussahra the consumption
of bhang and ganja is considered almost obliga-
tory. Those who take them as a mere observance
of the custom are temperate; but many take such
an opportunity thus afforded to indulge in excess.
34. The consumption of bhang is not regarded
as so objectionable as that of ganja. The use of
all sorts of narcotics is held in disrepute by decent
folk. The worship of the hemp plant is unknown.
35. Hard ganja-smokers think that depriva-
tion of the drug will kill them. Moderate indul-
gers satisfy their craving with another drug when
the supply of ganja is cut off. It would be easy
to stop the growth and use of ganja; but it is my
duty to protest most strongly against such grand-
motherly treatment in the present state of public
feeling.
Hard smokers will not be satisfied with any-
thing but ganja. Moderate consumers might
take to bhang, the growth of which cannot be
interfered with.
36. No.
37. No charas is smoked here.
38. None.
39. No preparation of ganja and bhang is smoked
here. Ganja is smoked by itself, but not so bhang.
40. Bhang is used in medicine by native phy-
sicians. Oil prepared from ganja is also used as
a medicine by kavirajes. Bhang is given to
cattle as medicine when suffering from cold.
41. Ganja and bhang in small doses may aid
digestion.
Both undoubtedly add to staying power.
None of the intoxicants are otherwise beneficial.
The upper classes, say one-tenth, use ganja for
purpose (a).
The lower classes, say nine-tenths, use it for
purpose (b).
I allude to the moderate use.
42. Its use works no serious mischief in the
average human system.
43. Yes.
44. (a) Used moderately, they refresh and
create an appetite.
(f) An hour or so.
(g) None.
(h) The want of ganja produces malaise.
45. Bhang fails to stimulate the appetite and
ganja unnerves the system if taken habitually.
Ganja impairs the constitution if indulged in ex-
cess or the consumer does not get sufficient food.
Ganja is used as an aphrodisiac, and it certainly
stimulates the sexual power if used in small doses.
But then comes the inevitable reaction, and im-
potence with its attendant miseries follows.
All these questions are for specialists in mental
diseases. But my experience convinces me that
consumers of ganja and bhang who are deficient
in self-control develop into insanes. Such human
weeds would, however, ruin themselves in other
ways if the drug supply were stopped.
46. See above.
47. No.
48. The tendency to excessive use is not here-
ditary.
49. Not by prostitutes; but see above.
50. No. The excessive use of ganja has the ten-
dency to check sexual passion.
51 and 52. No. Those addicted to ganja smok-
ing sometimes steal to pay for their darling drug.