350
depend upon the quantity that one can consume
and the cost of purchase.
29. With bhang, ordinarily, milk, sugar or
molasses, aniseeds and pepper seeds are used;
and exceptionally, both with bhang and ganja,
dhatura seeds are used to make it stronger. I do
not know of any preparation such as "bhang
massala."
30. Ganja is generally used in company.
Bhang is used sometimes in company. Ganja, so
far as is known to me, is not wholly confined to
males. Public women are known in many cases
to smoke ganja. Exceptional cases are seen of
boys using both ganja and bhang; although as a
general rule men, when they are young, acquire
it as a habit and continue it till late in their
lives.
31. The habit of smoking ganja is very easily
formed; and there is a marked tendency in the
case of this drug for the moderate habit to develop
into the excessive. It is very difficult to break
off the habit of ganja-smoking. Bhang is not
taken to so readily. It is developed slowly and
may as readily be given up.
32. There is a custom of using bhang on the
Bijaya Dasami day,—that is, the last day of the
Durga Puja. There is also a custom of using
ganja on the Sivaratri day. The custom is now
fast dying out, and now remains only as a relic of
bygone days. Its use, so far as is known, was
once essential; but now it is seldom, if at all, used;
and consequently there is hardly any chance of its
developing into an injurious habit. Both these
occasions are observed in honour of the Hindu god
Mahadeva, to whom these drugs are held sacred.
36. On account of the opening of distilleries all
over the country, liquor is taking the place of these
drugs. The causes are (1) its cheapness, (2) of
its being more readily available, and (3) of its
being more intoxicant.
37. Ganja-smoking cannot be easily given up,
whilst the habit of drinking bhang can; the habit
in the former case is more readily formed than in
the latter.
Ganja-smoking is always injurious to health,
whilst bhang is not so. On the other hand bhang,
if taken in moderate quantity, keeps the digestive
organs in good order. Ganja has a tendency
to deprave the morals of a man. Bhang does not
do so. Ganja-smoking, carried to excess, causes
in most cases insanity. Bhang does not affect
the system so injuriously. Ganja has a tendency
to affect the respiratory system, thereby causing
in many cases asthma and bronchitis.
39. Vide answer to question 37. Generally
speaking, smoking is more injurious than drinking,
because—
(1) In smoking, it generally affects the sys-
tem quickly. In drinking it affects
the system slowly.
(2) In smoking it is never used in a diluted
form.
On the other hand, other
things, such as dhatura seeds, are
used to make it stronger; whilst in
drinking it is always diluted with
some liquids which makes it less in-
jurious.
(3) In smoking there is no chance of elimi-
nation. In drinking part of the drug
may be eliminated from the system.
40. Both ganja and bhang are used for their
medicinal properties. Do not know whether they
are used in the treatment of cattle disease.
41. So far as is known to me,
(a) Bhang, used moderately, is digestive if
drunk.
(b) It does.
(c) No personal knowledge; but it is said that,
in malarious districts, people using ganja are,
comparatively speaking, more free from malarious
poison.
44. (b) Yes, to those used to it.
(c) Yes.
(d) No.
(e) Bhang does, if taken moderately.
(f) It is temporary.
(g) There are.
(h) Yes, it does.
45. (a) Vide answer to question 37.
(b) Yes.
(c) Yes, when regular habit is formed.
(d) Ganja does.
(e) Yes.
(f) Yes. In cases known to me, it is the excit-
ing cause of insanity generally of a violent type.
Temporary at first, but might be permanent. Yes,
the symptoms may be re-induced. Furious and
dangerous if let alone.
(g) Not always. So far as is known to me,
none.
47. No.
48. In cases of insanity of a permanent nature,
caused by excessive smoking, any issue, after the
insanity has become permanent, may be similarly
affected.
49. (a) Yes, it is.
(b) Yes.
(c) It is more injurious when used as a
narcotic, because as a narcotic it is taken in
excess.
(d) When taken in excess so as to affect the
nervous system injuriously, it may cause impo-
tence.
56. Vide answer to questions 29 and 37.
141. Evidence of PRASAD DAS MALLIK, Subarnabanik, Medical Practitioner, Hughli.
1. Special study, observation and enquiry have
furnished me with information regarding matters
connected with hemp drugs, which forms the basis
of my answers.
2. Yes. These products are locally known as
(a) siddhi or bhang, (b) charas, (c) ganja.
3. It grows spontaneously in the districts of
Shahabad and Champaran, and is abundant in
Monghyr, Khulna, and Bhagalpur.
4. Siddhi, bhang, patti or subji; charas;
majun or majum; ganja.
5. No special conditions of climate, soil, rain-
fall, etc., are necessary; but it grows best on an
elevation of from 4,000 to 7,000 feet above sea-
level.
6. It is ordinarily scattered.
7. Yes. In some parts of Dacca, in Patna, in
the Tributary States of Chota Nagpur and Orissa,