169
(b) Dhatura is used under exceptional cir-
cumstances, probably with a view to increase its
action.
Opium, nux vomica, cantharides or betel-nut is
not known here to have been so used.
Ganja is (a) ordinarily smoked without any ad-
mixture, but is (b) exceptionally mixed with dha-
tura seeds, tobacco, and " garaku " (a mixture of
tobacco and treacle).
I do not know of any preparation called bhang
massala, but if it be identical with " bhang
majum," the ingredients are as under :—bhang,
ghi, milk, sugar, and cloves. In fact, it is a
confection of bhang.
30. Moderate and excessive consumers both
smoke or drink in company as much as in soli-
tude. The extent of consumption varies in each
ease according to the constitution and length of
the habit. Half a pint of bhang water may be
enough for some, whereas others may require two
to three bottles a day. In the same way, to some
an inhalation of ganja may prove enough to
satisfy his craving, to others it may require ten
chillums to bring about the same effect.
It is strictly confined to the male sex, and
chiefly to adult age. Children are never allowed
to indulge in these drugs, but some foolish parents
on some great festivals allow their children a gulp
or two of bhang water.
31. Yes, the habit is easily formed and difficult
to break off. Yes, there is a tendency to require
ever-increasing doses to satisfy the craving.
32. It is customary amongst Hindus to use
bhang on occasions of festivals and social gather-
ings, but it is neither essential nor compulsory.
As for the religious uses of bhang, nothing is
consumed by the votaries when offered at the
shrine of Mahadev. But even in this case, it is
not essential to use bhang only, as milk and curd
do as well, and are, in fact, oftener used. It is
also used on the religious festivals of Durga
Puja. It is handed round like wine, and is freely
partaken. It is not regarded as essential. As
for its moderate and excessive use on these occa-
sions, it much depends upon the moral and social
status of the consumers, and on it depends the
likelihood or unlikelihood of its habit being con-
tracted, and the extent of injury it may cause.
36. Alcohol is to a very great extent displacing
bhang as an ordinary drink of the people. The
change is due to the greater facility of obtaining
alcoholic drinks.
37. As stated before, the use of charas is not
known in this district, hence inability to compare
its effects with those of ganja and bhang. An-
swer to the latter portion of this question is
given in reply to question No. 39.
39. Drinking of bhang is considered a better
and a safer form of using hemp plant than smok-
ing. Bhang drinking in moderate doses is con-
sidered refrigerating and stomachic. Smoking
ganja affects brain sooner, and gets into the head
quicker. Habitual and excessive use of ganja
undoubtedly leads to insanity, some cases of the
kind having come under my own personal obser-
vation.
40. Bhang is used by hakims and vaids for
bronchitis and asthma.
41. Charas is not used in my district.
(a) Bhang in moderate doses is stomachic.
(b) It is said to alleviate fatigue and to give
vol. vii.
staying—power under severe exertion. In fact,
it acts in the same way as cocoa does.
(c) It is considered a good preventive against
malarial fevers, and is largely used by sadhus and
sanyasis for this purpose. I have neverused it as
a prophylactic against fevers.
42. Bhang in moderate doses is beneficial.
44. To the habitual moderate consumer, the
effect is somewhat exhilarating. There is no in-
toxication. It is stomachic. The effect lasts from
four to ten hours. There are no after-effects, but
withholding any further supply produces general
uneasiness, want of spirits, and pain in the limbs.
45. (a) Yes, it does.
(b) Yes.
(c) It causes loss of appetite.
(d) Ganja causes bronchitis and occasionally
asthma.
(e) It induces laziness. It is used by sadhus
and sanyasis to induce impotency in order that
they may be better able to approach their
" Maker."
(f) Yes ; ganja has a tendency to produce in-
sanity. It acts both as a predisposing and excit-
ing cause in different cases, It generally causes
temporary insanity of au active kind.
46. It is obvious from my reply to question
No. 45 that habitual excessive use of any of
these drugs produces more harmful effects.
47. It is not at all a hereditary habit, and does
not seem to have any effect on the offsprings of
moderate consumers.
48. Excessive use of any of these drugs does
not produce hereditary habits in the children of
the consumers. But as the excessive consumers
become weak in mind and body through its use,
their issues naturally come out weak in mind
and body as well.
49. Yes; they are used in combination with
other substances for aphrodisiac purpcses. Do
not know about prostitutes. Yes ; it has an in-
variable tendency to produce impotence after long
continued use.
50. Its excessive use acts in its first stage of
commencement as an aphrodisiac ; but in a few
days, besides causing impotence sooner, it knocks
down the general health.
50. Admixture of dhatura seeds intensifies the
effect of the drugs.
57. Here we don't know of charas. Ganja
is only used for smoking.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.—I studied at the Grant Medical
College and received the diploma of Hospital As-
sistant.
Question 36 .—My answer is based on experi-
ence gained in the towns of Hansot, Olpad and
Aubleshwar in the Broach district. I made
special enquiries in these places and my answer
refers to those alone. The change of habit I
describe is taking place among the low class Mu-
hammadans and Hindus. The liquor which is taking
the place of bhang is mhowra spirit.
Question 45 .—I have personal experience of one
case of insanity which occurred three or four
2 B