357
is prepared for the private consumers, i.e., for
those who are unable to smoke ganja publicly, as
it is hateful.
30. The average consumption of ganja in
solitude is half a tola and in company is three or
four tolas. It is chiefly used by the male sex, but
occasionally used by women of lower castes and
prostitutes. There is no necessity of smoking
ganja at any time of life. Children are not
accustomed to, nor feel necessity for it.
31. The habit can be easily formed, but cannot
be broken off so easily, as the person in the habit
of consuming a particular quantity of these drugs
feels very little intoxicated; he is consequently
obliged to increase the quantity.
32. There is a custom among the Hindus to
smoke ganja and drink bhang in Pana-sankranti
and Durga Puja Bijaya—two Hindu festivals (one
before the god Mahadev and the other before the
goddess Durga). At these times pana or sherbet
is prepared with the following articles, viz.,—
milk, sugar, mango, plantains, camphor, cocoa-
nut, cardamom, cinnamon, nageswar, saffron, etc.,—
and drunk by the Hindus with eager. They use
such pana only for the purpose of intoxicating
themselves, in order that they may fix their atten-
tion to the holy worship, which practice is totally
incorrect. I do not think it to be essential, nor
does it lead to the formation of the habit. It is
not injurious if taken moderately.
36. No. Alcohol is not substituted for these
drugs. Hemp is specially used by the lower-class
people and scarcely by the gentlemen of the
present time. People smoke hemp, etc., only to
satisfy their carnal desire, which cannot be
equally done by alcohol.
37. I know nothing of charas, as it is not used
in this part. Ganja-smokers generally suffer from
asthma and become emaciated after using the drug
for a long period if no nourishing food is taken,
but bhang is not so injurious as ganja. The
latter affects the grey substance of the brain,
produces insanity, and stops the secretion of the
bronchial capillaries and lactials and minute cells
of the human organs.
39. Drinking bhang as sherbet during sultry
and scorching heat of summer with more spices
and very little of bhang is alleged to be a sooth-
ing drink which brings sleep. It is drunk more
in the summer than at any other time of the year.
Ganja-smokers are often found of irritable temper,
apparently due to its action on the brain, and this
seems to be the cause of producing insanity in
some cases.
40. The native physicians generally use siddhi
and hemp, etc., for medicinal purposes, simply for
the evil desires. The medicine is called madak,
which is used by those rajas and zamindars who
are addicted to pleasing thoughts and desires.
Though the hemp has the power of allaying pains,
yet as far as my experience goes, I think that the
power of allaying pains is indirect and temporary,
i.e., for a few minutes after the madak being
taken.
41. (a) None of these drugs are beneficial as a
digestive.
(b) These alleviate fatigue to some extent, only
those who are habituated with these.
(c) It has no preventive power to the malarious
poisons.
42. It is not at all beneficial, on the contrary
harmful, as it disturbs the proper actions and
disorganizes the proper functions of some useful
organs.
44. They immediately affect the brain and
cause giddiness and congestion of the eyes, and
also said to increase hunger. After smoking or
drinking bhang the men are inclined to take
much more quantity of food than usual, but it
produces indigestion and causes uneasiness.
45. Yes; it produces noxious effects mentally,
morally and physically. It affects the lungs and
also produces insanity, which has been mentioned
above. I am told a man in the habit of smoking
ganja murdered his mother just after smoking,
and afterwards, when the reaction set in, looking
at the stream of blood flowing from his wounded
mother, went to murder the man by whom he was
induced to the habit of smoking ganja.
47. No.
49. The hemp is in some degree aphrodisiac.
It is commonly used by male sex for the purposes
mentioned in question 40, and I do not know
whether women use for the same desire or not.
It is an injurious aphrodisiac, because it tends to
produce impotency, as it delays the discharge of
semen at copulation, which causes nervous para-
lysis.
57. I am not aware of charas-drinking. The
effects of intoxication from ganja-drinking is
different from that of smoking. The intoxication
by the latter process, though not so much lasting
as by the former, is more injurious to the health
from its rapid action on the brain.
In conclusion hemp and bhang when used in re-
ligious ceremonies affects nothing and should not be
put a stop to. The use of the drugs in medicinal
purposes should not be interfered with, as it will
be impracticable. The excessive use of these drugs
merely for the sake of intoxication should be dis-
continued by raising the taxation.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.—I was educated in the Government
Medical School at Cuttack, and got the diploma
of V.L.M.S. (Vernacular Class Hospital Assist-
ant). I am 32 years of age, and I have been
practising medicine for the last ten years privately.
Question 37.—I have never made a post mortem
of a ganja case.
Question 45.—Moderate use of ganja leads to
the excessive use. The habitual moderate con-
sumers, as well as the excessive consumers, suffer
in their lungs and become insane. My definition
of a moderate consumer is a man who takes as
much as his habit has enabled him to stand with-
out becoming insensible. A man who takes 2
pice worth is moderate, and a man who takes 2
annas worth may be moderate for him,—i.e., if
he can stand it. No intoxicant can be taken in
moderation except when administered medicinally.