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31. I think so.
It is not only difficult, but, as far as I have
seen, next to impossible to give up the evil habit,
when the consumers meet with shops at almost
every turn of the road where these poisonous arti-
cles are exposed for sale. I have observed a very
strong tendency in many to go to excess in the
consumption of these drugs.
32. At the time of the Sivratri and Holi fes-
tivals, 90 per cent. of the Hindus in many parts
of India take bhang for several days. This
undoubtedly in some instances leads to its use
afterwards. The use of bhang is not in any way
essential for the observance of these festivals.
33. The general public opinion is against the
use of these drugs. Many educated people con-
sider it a great evil, which ought to be classed with
infanticide, human sacrifices, Sati, and the atroci-
ties committed at the Charak festival which Hin-
duism had the honour to permit, inculcate and
practise, but for the intervention of the strong
hand of the British Government. Some Hindus
who are slaves to the use of these drugs might
defend it on religious grounds, but Hinduism
based on bhang and ganja is a social evil which
should not be tolerated by any right-thinking
person as well as the Government.
I have not seen or heard of the worship of the
hemp plant.
34. It would be a privation to the consumers
if the drugs are prohibited; but it is not likely to
be a serious one When some of the habitual
consumers are put in jail for the commission of
some crime, they do not get these intoxicants
there, and they generally do well and gain flesh
and health.
35. It would be quite feasible, and is most
desirable to prohibit the use of these drugs, except
when required medicinally on the prescription of
a duly qualified medical practitioner. There will
be some discontent amongst the consumers, but
no political danger whatever is apprehended, as
the Muhammadans, as a rule, are against these
intoxicants, and several sects amongst the Hindus
and many educated people look down upon it with
horror. In some instances people may take to
other intoxicants, but not as a rule.
36. I do not think so.
37. I have not observed any great difference
between the effects of ganja and charas on the
consumer.
It much depends on the quantity
consumed.
38. No; they are one and the same thing, and
are not sold separately by the vendors of these
drugs.
39. They are all most pernicious in their effect
on the consumers.
Bhang is little milder in its effects than ganja
and charas.
40. Bhang is used by some native doctors as a
medicine, and is also used in some cattle diseases.
41. (a) No; it is not a digestive.
(b) No; on the contrary, it weakens and unfits
those who take any of these drugs to do much
physical or mental labour.
Little exertion
exhausts them.
(c) Sometimes it is used in ague.
(d) No.
I refer to both.
42. The use of none of these drugs is harmless,
but decidedly injurious to health. I have seen
several moderate consumers and they lose flesh.
43. Yes; but on the slightest provocation they
become reckless and furious.
44. Even the moderate use of the hemp drugs
produces instantaneous intoxication, great excite-
ment, and a degree of stupidity. The pupils are
gradually contracted. It is not refreshing, and
does not allay hunger or create an appetite for
food. A false appetite is, however, sometimes
caused by bhang. The effect lasts about eight or
ten hours, according to the quantity taken. The
after-effect is great exhaustion and lassitude, with
a craving for another dose of the drug.
45. (b) They make one lose flesh and look dull.
(c) Yes; they cause indigestion and create a
false or short-lived appetite and general debility.
(d) They cause bronchitis and asthma.
In
regard to it there is a well-known saying which
has been thus translated into English by Dr.
Fallon-
"Who ganja smoke do knowledge lack; the
heart burns constantly. The breath with coughing
goes, the face as monkey's pale you see." Many
ganja smokers die of dysentery.
(e) Yes.
(f) If taken for a sufficiently long time in
excess, it is sure to produce insanity with ordinary
diet; but if large quantities of sugar and milk are
taken by the smoker, he may hold out little longer.
The insanity at first temporary soon fixes itself
permanently. The person runs about shouting,
grins, laughs and cries in a most unnatural and
diabolical way.
I do not think the hemp drugs have any medi-
cinal properties to relieve mental anxiety or cure
brain disease.
I do not think that an insane person who is
not in his senses and not master of his own deeds
would often take to ganja-smoking. It might
be accidental in some extremely rare cases.
46. All habitual consumers, as a rule, take to
the excessive use of these drugs, and are reduced
to mere skeletons, and show a most pitiful figure
of physical decay and moral degradation. They
are helpless to support themselves, and with their
intellect deadened, bordering on insanity, lungs
contracted, bowels diseased, life is a burden to
them, and death a release. Many excessive ganja-
smokers meet with instantaneous death at the
time of smoking it.
47. It may be so; but I am not certain about
it.
49. Yes, bhang is used as an aphrodisiac; but
I have a serious doubt as to its possessing aphro-
disiac powers. I have heard of its being used by
mahants and sadhus to bring on a state of stupor
on the intended victims of their lust to effect
their purpose. It is also used by the prostitutes.
It does cause impotence and imbecility in the
long run.
58. The hemp poison is used by bad characters.
It is used for purposes of rape and robbery.
53. Yes.
I do not know any case.
55. Yes. Without any admixture, any of the
preparations of hemp is sufficient to completely
stupefy the victim for hours.
58. It is working well in regard to revenue;
but is sadly ruining the consumers of the hemp
drugs physically and morally.
59. I do not think any attempt, without total
prohibition or local option, is likely to remove the
evil.
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