165
all the three drugs for the moderate habit to de-
velop into the excessive.
32. Bhang is generally used during hot season
and on holidays in company as a cooling sub-
stance. Charas and ganja are usually consumed
in company of sadhu.
It is a custom amongst the Brahmins to take
bhang on the day of Maha Shivaratri. The
custom amongst the
s a d h u o f s m o k i n g c h a r a s a n d g a n j a a n d o f t a k i n g b h a n g i s c o n s i d e r e d
to be essential, and it is likely to lead into the
formation of the habit, and it proves sometimes
injurious.
36. I cannot say that alcohol is substituted for
any of these drugs.
NOTE.—The consumption of alcohol in my
eye has increased and is increasing day after day ;
the only cause that could be attributed is that
alcohol is freely sold, and ready for use anywhere;
while bhang, etc., take time and trouble before
they are ready for use.
2nd.—Low caste people and labouring class
people are under a firm and unshaken belief that
they are able to work so hard only by the aid of
such liquor. I have known woodcutters after a
day's hard work intoxicating with alcohol not
having had any idea of their meals.
3rd.—Imitation. As to indulge in alcoholic
liquors is considered by half-educated people to be
the first step towards reformation and civilization,
and, taking their example, poor illiterate and un-
educated people imitate them. The proof of the
reality of increase of the alcoholic use is the increase
of the alcoholic poisoning cases noticed in hospitals.
37.
I do not think that there is any difference
in the effects in any particular of charas and ganja
smoking. The narcotic effects of ganja and charas
begin soon after smoking ; but in case of bhang
drinking the effect is produced in quarter or half
hour or longer, depending upon the quantity and
quality.
39. I do not know of any such preparations of
hemp plant, the smoking of which would in any
way be less injurious form of consumption than
drinking or eating the same or any other prepara-
tion.
I do not think preparations of hemp produce
any constitutional effect in small doses ; but when
in excess people starve under the influence of nar-
cotism and are frequently seen in emaciated and
debilitated conditions and some suffering from
lung diseases.
The greater number of cases of insanity and
mental derangements falling to my lot during my
seventeen years of service had the previous history
of ganja and charas smoking in excess.
40. Yes, to alleviate pain, preparations of hemp
drug are used by native doctors. I do not know
whether they are used in the treatment of cattle
diseases.
41. The moderate use of charas and ganja and
bhang seems to be beneficial in its effects.
(a) By it increasing appetite and promoting
digestion followed by a free motion.
(b) It alleviates fatigue by its narcotic effects.
(c)
Bhang affects as a febrifuge.
(d) Bhang is also tried with more or less suc-
cess in many diseases, as in tetanus, hydrophobia,
rheumatism, and in the convulsions of children and
in cholera. Bhang is believed next to opium as
anodyne, hypnotic and antispasmodic by some
medical men, and consequently given in the above
said diseases.
42. I think the moderate use of any of these
drugs is harmless if carefully prepared and taken,
as I have seen serious cases occurred under the
influence of moderate doses of hemp drugs, given
by friends with some admixture, as dhatura,
opium, betel-nut, nux vomica, etc.
44. These drugs produce dull, heavy head, and
succession of unconnected ideas or cheerful acti-
vity, giddiness or a tendency to talk, laugh, sing
or dance, on the habitual consumer. Sometimes
it is refreshing. It produces intoxication. It does
not allay hunger. It does not create appetite.
Duration of its effects cannot be specified, as it
varies with the quality and quantity used. There
are not any after-effects, sometimes headache.
Yes, the want of subsequent gratification pro-
duces longing and uneasiness.
45. I do not think that habitual moderate use
of any of these drugs produces any noxious effect.
Ganja and charas impair the constitution in long
run, specially of the persons taking low diet.
It injures digestion to a certain extent. Ganja
and charas smoking causes bronchitis. Bhang
is used in the treatment of dysentery and asthma.
It impairs the moral sense or induces the habits of
immorality or debauchery. Yes, gauja and charas
produce insanity.
46. I cannot say, as I had not the opportunity
of narrowly watching such cases.
The habitual moderate use of these drugs does
not appear to be a hereditary habit or to affect in
any way the children of the moderate consumer.
49. These drugs are used as an aphrodisiac, but
I do not know whether prostitutes are using with
the same intention.
57. Ganja is eaten in absence of accommodation
for smoking by some as well as those who take
religious objection in smoking ; the effects of
ganja by chewing are milder than smoking.
86. Evidence of HOSPITAL ASSISTANT SUDASHIO WAMON, Brahmin, Mansa, Mahi
¬kantha.
1. I have had several opportunities of obtaining
information regarding the hemp drug in treating
patients in my medical practice, also from the
conversation with those who habitually smoke and
drink the preparation of the drug. As well as
I had tried the drug on my own person on three or
four different occasions.
2. I concur with Dr. Prain's opinion on pro-
duction of the hemp drug, except " trodden under
foot," but green bud leaves are pressed and
dried in sheds which forms into flat ganja in
Deccan Province.
Charas is the resinous matter, but never pre-
pared and used in this province.
Yes. They have the same names as bhang,
ganja and charas. There is no hemp plant culti-
vation in Mahikantha.
19. Yes. Both used for smoking. Charas is
not used in Deccan.