313
53. I do not know of any case in which exces-
sive indulgence in any of these drugs has led to
temporary homicidal frenzy.
54. Yes.
55. Yes; sometimes done. Invariably mixed
with dhatura seeds for the purpose.
69. People are not consulted before a shop is
opened in any locality.
119. Evidence of ASSISTANT SURGEON BOSONTO KUMAR SEN, in Civil Medical Charge,
Bogra.
1. As a medical man and service in ganja-pro-
ducing districts.
2. Yes, these definitions can be accepted in this
province. These products are locally known as
(1) bhang or siddhi, (2) charas, (3) ganja.
3. I know hemp plant grows spontaneously in
Rajshahi and Bogra Districts.
4. It is known by the name of bhang and siddhi
plants. They refer to the same plant.
5. It grows in low land in winter.
6. Dense.
7. Hemp plant is cultivated extensively in the
Rajshahi Division (a) for the production of ganja.
11. No.
12. No.
13. Cultivation of hemp plant for ganja is re-
stricted to Rajshahi Division. Do not know the
cause of such restriction.
14. (a) Ganja is prepared in the ganja-pro-
ducing tracts in the Rajshahi Division to a large
scale.
15. (a) Products of cultivated plants.
Ganja.—It is used only for smoking, and is
prepared for use, first, by separating the seeds, if
there are any, then washing it with a few drops
of water, water squeezed out, then wrapped with
dry tobacco leaves, the whole thing pressed
between the thumb of the right hand and palm
of left hand, then placed on a piece of wood called
godee or pira, and cut into very small pieces
with a knife, taken out from the godee, and again
pressed as before; and this is repeated several
times before it is ready for smoking in the
chillum.
(b) Products of uncultivated or wild plants.
Bhang.—The dried leaves are thoroughly ground
in a stone or mortar with some water, then mixed
with more water or milk and sugar and drunk as
sherbet.
16. Bhang is prepared for drinking purpose by
the people in their houses. Yes, bhang can be pre-
pared from the dried leaves of any wild hemp
plant.
18. Yes, ganja and bhang deteriorate by keep-
ing long.
19. I know ganja and charas used only for
smoking.
20. Ganja is used for smoking, chiefly by the
lower class of people, although the higher classes
of people are not altogether free from it; the
bairagis and sanyasis are more addicted to it.
I cannot say the exact proportion. There are no
particular localities of which I am aware. I do
not know much about charas.
21. I know only flat variety of ganja used for
smoking.
28. Average cost of ganja per diem to (a)habitual
moderate consumers from one to two pice; (b) habi-
tual excessive consumers from one to two annas
and upwards.
29. Dhatura is exceptionally mixed with ganja
for smoking; and also with bhang or siddhi for
drinking to increase the narcotic power of the
drugs.
30. Ganja and bhang are generally preferred
to be taken in company. Males are more addict-
ed. Females, chiefly prostitutes, and Haries also
use it. It is used principally in youth and old
age. Children are not free from ganja-smoking,
the boys of the singing party generally smoke
ganja.
31. The habit of ganja-smoking is easily formed
in bad company. Yes, it is difficult to break off
the habit. Yes, there is a tendency for moder-
ate habit to develop into the excessive.
32. I know bhang is used by male members of
Hindu families on the third day of Durga Puja
(Nabami-day at night); also on the fourth day of
Puja. Such custom is not essential. It is tem-
perate. It is not injurious, and does not lead to
the formation of habit. The practice is, however,
wearing out day by day. The sanyasis use ganja
for the purpose of concentrating their thoughts to
religious purposes.
33. The consumption of ganja and bhang is
regarded with hatred by the public. Ganja-smok-
ers are generally rude, violent, and angry
in disposition, imperious, wanting in duty to
parents, wife and children, and are bad citizens
and quarrelsome neighbours; they are liars and
exaggerate tales. I do not know any custom of
worshipping ganja.
34. It may be a little hard for a habitual ganja-
smoker to relinquish that habit at the beginning;
but yet, like other habits, it may also be discon-
tinued gradually without any bad effects, We
get ganja-smokers in prisons and hospitals; but
the privation of the drug does not seem to tell
on their health.
35. I do not know why it would not be feasi-
ble to prohibit the use of ganja. It may be at-
tempted by imposing heavier duty on it. The
classes of people smoking ganja are not fit for any
agitation amounting to a political danger. Yes,
the prohibition of ganja-smoking would be natu-
rally followed by recourse to (a) alcoholic stimu-
lants (b) or other narcotics.
36. I think not that alcohol is substituted for
ganja or bhang.
40. Both ganja and bhang are used by kabi-
rajes for medicinal purpose in bowel complaints.
Yes, bhang is used in cattle diseases.
41. (a) Ganja and bhang are not parts of food,
but undoubtedly they increase the appetite.
(b) Ganja and bhang do so.
(c) I have no experience of their action as
febrifuge or preventive of malaria.
(d) They produce sound sleep and relieve pain
and anxiety.
2 U