392
31. I don't think the habit of consuming any
of these drugs is easily formed, or it is very
difficult to break off. The moderate habit in
the use of these drugs does not tend to develop
the excessive use of them.
32. Dussera or Bijoya Dashami and Siva Ratri
are the religious festivals in which it is the custom
to use bhang and ganja. Ganja is not required
to be taken during the former festival, while
bhang is freely used on both the occasions,
The consumption on these occasions, though ge-
nerally temperate, is not so necessarily. It is not
likely to lead to the formation of the habit, or
otherwise injurious.
33. The moderate consumption of bhang, speci-
ally on religious occasions or for medicinal
purposes, is not looked down upon, but those of
others (ganja and charas) are. The use of any
form of the narcotic is generally held in disrepute,
as that destroys the sobriety, morality and the
innate dignity of man. Those addicted to this
habit are generally found to lose their steadiness
of character. There is a sect of Puritans who,
having no regard for these religious ceremonies,
look down upon the use even of any of these
narcotic drugs. I do not know of any custom of
worshipping the hemp plant.
34. Yes, I think it would be a serious priva-
tion at once to forego the consumption of the
drugs, specially the siddhi, or bhang, and in some
cases even ganja. Amongst others, the industrial
classes shall perhaps suffer most if they be depri-
ved of the use of what they consider to be a
necessity (vide answer to question 26).
35. No, not siddhi in special. The result of
such prohibition would be illicit consumption.
Prohibition can by no means be strictly enforced,
for, as experience shows, in spite of the excise laws,
cases of illicit sale of exciseable articles are often
heard of. Yes, I think it would occasion serious
discontent among the consumers; but I would not
fear so much as to cause political danger, certainly
not in this province. Yes, the prohibition in the
consumption of these drugs will, I am afraid, be
followed by the use of the baneful and absolutely
ruinous alcoholic stimulants.
36. These drugs are replacing alcohol to a
certain extent. The rise in the price of distillery-
liquors, in consequence of the abolition of the
outstill system, is mainly the reason of the poorer
classes resorting to some of these drugs more
largely than before. Amongst the well-to-do
classes, their sad experience of the baneful effects
of alcohol in this country, is chiefly the cause of
giving up liquor for bhang or ganja. As a proof
of what I have stated, I might mention the
increasing sale of these drugs.
37. The effects of charas smoking last longer
than those of ganja. The former is generally
used by pleasure-seekers, its effect being sexual
endurance.
38. I don't know.
39. Certainly not, rather the more injurious.
40. Yes, only bhang is largely prescribed and
used in some way or other for its medical qualities
by the Hindu school of medical science or
Ayurveda. Ganja is used by European doctors,
of course mixed with some other ingredients. I
am not aware of their use in the treatment of
cattle diseases.
41. (a) The moderate use of bhang is bene-
ficial, as it tends to help digestion. The use is
not confined to any special class.
(b) Ganja gives staying-power under severe
exertion or exposure, and tends to alleviate fati-
gue. It is used by the industrial classes as such,
and in moderate quantities.
(c) It is said to be a preventive of disease in
malarious and unhealthy tracts. Moderately used
by the industrial classes.
(d) Bhang with sugar is sometimes consumed
moderately by songsters to make their voice
sweet.
42. Yes.
43. Yes. They are unlike the consumers of
alcoholic stimulants.
44. To a habitual consumer, the effect is refresh-
ing, inasmuch as the moderate use of any of
these drugs alleviates fatigue. The effect on a
habitual moderate consumer of any of these drugs
ceases to be intoxicating after the habit is acquired.
Rather than allaying hunger, it creates appetite.
The effect of a chillum of ganja (which is perhaps
the strongest of all the drugs) on a habitual
consumer does not last more than an hour at
most.
45. (b) Ganja and charas do injure the
system. They injure the liver and spleen, and
hence cause loss of appetite.
(d), (e) and (f) Yes.
46. The excessive use of ganja and charas may
bring on the bad effects I have stated above.
47 and 48. No.
49 and 50. Yes, in some instances. The mo-
derate use produces no injurious effects, but the
excessive use of hemp tends to produce loss of
power.
51. A large proportion of bad characters are
consumers of some of these drugs. A habitual
moderate consumer, when unable to afford to pay
for the drug he is used to take, often takes to
petty thefts. I do not see any connection it has
with crime in general.
52. Occasional excessive use seems to be in some
way connected with violent crimes. The effect of
excessive use is to stupefy the consumer for the
time being, when he could not be held responsible
for his actions.
53. Yes, the excessive use of ganja only.
54. Ganja may be used in this way. But I do
not know of any such cases.
55. Yes, but complete stupefaction is impos-
sible unless the drug is mixed with dhatura or
any other ingredients.
56. (a) Bhang—
(i) Mixed with milk seems to make a man
merry, and nourish the body. Bhang and milk
are said to cure eye-diseases.
(ii) When diluted with pure water and honey and
mixed with ground black pepper and aniseed, it is
believed to increase the appetite and to remove
cough.
(iii) Bhang administered with ghi is said to
sharpen memory.
(iv) When used with salt is said to promote
digestion.
(v) When used with sugar and molasses, it is
said to nourish the body and invigorate the system,
etc.
(b) The effects of hemp used in excess, modi-
fied or not by the admixture of other substances,
are always detrimental. The admixture of dhatura
with ganja or bhang tends to bring on insanity.