204
stage of life. But the female sex also in lower
classes, for instance, bowas and bairagis, use the
drug.
31. The practice is easily formed by keeping com-
pany with habitual consumers, It is difficult to
break off this habit. Moderate use of it has a
tendency to develop into an excess.
32. Though the use of these drugs is forbidden
by religion, it is a custom among some Hindus to
take bhang in the form of ghota (drink) on some
religious occasions, viz ., Durga Puja, Kojagar,
Shivaratra, etc.
33. People of some position in this part of the
country never use ganja or bhang. They regard
it as a disrepute, and the society also looks down.
upon those who use these drugs with contempt.
I am not aware of any custom of worshipping the
ganja plant, as it is not at all cultivated here.
34. To forego the consumption of the drug
would be a privation to the consumers. Ganja
smoking and ghota drinking keep the consumers
in humour and easy. Its absence would neces-
sarily create uneasiness ; the consumers w o u l d
seem to miss an important thing and they would
even rave like mad men ; without it they always
seem to labour under some anxiety ; their diges-
tive power is also greatly impaired; they grow
weaker and weaker day by day. Probable number
cannot be ascertained.
35. Regard being had to questions 40, 41 and
44, it would not be feasible to prohibit the total
use of any of these drugs. If it is prohibited
totally, there is every probability of its being
consumed illicitly. Such prohibition should be en-
forced by raising taxation by legislative enact-
ments. Such prohibition would for some time
produce discontent amongst the consumers. Such
discontents have not the slightest tendency to in-
volve political danger of any sort. The total pro-
hibition of ganja and bhang is likely to be followed
by recourse to alcoholic stimulants.
36. Can't say.
37. Charas is not at all used here, but from in-
formation received I learn that it is more intoxicat-
ing than ganja smoking.
38. Only flat ganja is used here. Chur g anja
is used by the poorer classes of consumers. The
chur is less intoxicating than the flat ganja.
39. It is said that the smoking of ganja and
charas are less injurious than eating ganja and
drinking "ghota " of bhang.
40, Ganja is prescribed by native doctors for
piles and fistula. It is also used for fomentations
externally for the same diseases ; also used as sti-
mulant and tonic for cattle and also for cattle
diseases with some admixtures.
41, Yes, the use of ganja and bhang is beneficial
in its effects
(a) as digestive;
(b) as alleviating fatigues and to give stay-
ing power under severe exertion or expo-
sure;
(c) as preventive of disease in malarious and
unhealthy tracts;
(d) it stops diarrhœa, relieves pains in the
rectum. It is, as a smoke, also used to
remove or relieve syphilitic bone pains.
Fakirs and bairagis, professional musicians and
labouring classes smoke ganja and drink bhang
moderately and habitually in cases ( a ), (b) and
( c). Bawas and bairagis cook it with their meals even. In the case of
(d) it is used by all classe
occasionally.
42. It is said to be harmless as well as
beneficial. Many persons have been taking it for
a long time and are perfectly healthy.
43. Almost all of them are inoffensive.
44. Immediate effect exhilaration of spirits,
attended with a peculiar kind of hallucination of a
pleasing kind. Refreshing to a certain extent. In-
toxication later on. It in the first place produces
hunger. Yes ; it creates appetite. Effect lasts for
between two and four hours. The want of sub-
sequent gratification produces longing and some
uneasiness.
45. No.
46. Excessive habitual use of any of these drugs
does impair the constitution; does injure the
digestion and causes loss of appetite; produces
asthma and dysentery ; impairs the moral sense and
induces laziness. It is not likely to produce
habits of debauchery. It deadens the intellect
and it is likely to produce insanity.
47. The habit does not seem to be hereditary.
Surroundings do influence the children in con-
tracting this habit. It does not affect the pro-
geny of the moderate consumers.
48. Regard being had to the answer to question
46, there is a tendency to affect the children of the
excessive consumers to a certain extent.
49. Yes ; ganja and bhang are prescribed by
native hakims and quacks as an aphrodisiac with
other medicines. It is said to be used by pros-
titutes not exactly as an aphrodisiac ; but it is
given to young girls to prevent pain in the first
coition. Not more injurious. Does not produce
impotency.
51. Not in the majority of cases. The mo-
derate use has nothing to do with any crimes.
It in the form of " majum " is said to be used
by thieves in drugging persons to facilitate theft ;
but it is very generally mixed with dhatura.
53. No.
54. I am not aware of any such cases.
55. Yes , to facilitate theft and rape. Com-
plete stupefaction can be induced without admix-
tures if administered to those who are never in
the habit of using ganja.
57. As far as my information goes, ganja and
charas are not eaten in this district, I hear ganja
mixed with sugar is eaten in the Bengal presi-
dency.
58. The present system of Excise Administra-
tion seems, as far as I am aware, to be working
well in this district, and hence no improvement
appears to be necessary for the present.
60. Ganja is not produced in this district.
61. Charas is not produced in this district.
62. Hemp plant is not cultivated in this dis-
trict.
63. At present the contractors make wholesale
purchases of ganja and bhang and sell them in
retail to the customers. The original quality of
these drugs is not spoiled by these contractors by
adulteration and other foul means. As long as
this is the case, there seems no need of improve-
ment in this direction. However, the maximum
quantity of these drugs, much less than that
allowed in Form A of the rules framed under the
Abkari Act of 1878, which at a time should be