214
68. None.
69. Local opinion is no doubt necessary, and
at present shops are allowed to be opened irrespec-
tive of the wishes of the people. But I must at
the same time state the number of shops is few,
and no complaint on the subject exists. It is the
liquor shops to which the complaint refers.
Oral evidence.
Question 1 .—It was not until the Commis-
sion's questions came to me that I had occasion
to make a study of the hemp drugs, though I had
occasionally met consumers before.
Question 35 .—I have talked about the matter
with many persons, and in this answer I have stated
the general opinion that it is remarkable that agita--
tion has been directed against the hemp drugs and
not against alcohol, which is equally harmful.
This opinion I have heard expressed in Bijapur,
Belgaum, Dharwar and my own neighbourhood.
I have not read them in newspapers. I have stated
further in my answer that the agitation is attri-
buted to those who are anxious to encourage the
spread of alcohol. By this expression is meant
the persons who import and manufacture liquor.
The opinion I have quoted is held both by the
educated and ignorant people. The ignorant
people cannot explain the grounds of their opinion.
The opinion of the educated is based on the
simple fact that Government do nothing to dis-
courage the use of alcohol, which is more deleterious
than the drugs. I myself have formed no definite
opinion on the subject.
Question 44.—I have frequently noticed that
people in a state of intoxication talk more if they
are brought into a bright light. I cannot explain
why this happens.
Question 45 .—I attribute insanity in these
cases to the hemp drugs because no other cause
could be discovered ; dhatura, nux vomica
and bachnag also produce insanity. So do bad
news, the distress of poverty and disappointment.
I cannot say if insanity can be inherited. I have
not made enquiry whether the parents in any
of the cases I have described were mad. In case
C, I happen to know that the mother was nearly
mad. I remember the case of a hard-drinking
weaver who went mad. I cannot recall any insanes
who had become mad from other causes than liquor
and ganja. I have met, as stated in my answer, ten
people who became mad from hemp drugs, and
also two persons who became mad from alcohol.
I remember the ten ganja cases, because the third
and fourth cases (C and D) occurred in my taluka,
and the cases A and B I learnt from my friends.
The other six cases were found out in course of
the enquiries. I knew nothing about them before.
The insane of case C died four years ago, at the
age of 35. He began the hemp habit at the age
of 16, and became mad a few months after he was
18. I was about 8 or 10 years old when he went
mad about twenty years ago. In case D, the
man went mad about five or six years ago. He
did not drink. I learnt that he had gone mad
from ganja smoking, and I made his acquaint-
ance at that time. He had first gone mad at
that time. That was the first. I had heard of
him. I did not know him before he went mad.
I attribute his madness to ganja, because I did
not doubt the statements of his relatives and
friends, who stated that that was the cause.
Question 56.—The first sentence of my
answer will be understood if reference is made to
my answer 41. I mean that moderate consumers
are fewer than excessive consumers, because the
moderate consumer of intoxicants is always inclined
to go to excess. The number or people who
remain moderate consumers because of their
poverty is small. When I went to Belgaum, I
visited people in Shapur, and I heard from ganja
smokers that the poisons I have named were some
- t i m e s m i x e d w i t h t h e d r u g s . I h a v e m y s e l f s e e n b a i r a g i s , w h o v i s i t e d m y v i l l a g e , u s e n u x
vomica. One man who could not get the opium to
which he was accustomed ate dhatura in my pre-
sence. It was not mixed with ganja, though the
man was an occasional smoker of ganja.
111. Evidence of DINANATH SHIWSHANKER, Druggist and Chemist .
1. I have had opportunities of inquiring with
my patients and customers who smoke ganja and
drink bhang, and also who have travelled over
some ganja farms, as to the advantages and dis-
advantages derived from smoking ganja and
drinking bhang.
6. Dense.
10. They do not form a special class. They
are of the same class as other agricultural culti-
vators.
19. Ganja and chants are used only for smok-
ing. Ganja is used as a medicine for animals
all over India).
20. Hindus of low caste smoke generally ganja,
and Muhammadans charas. There is no particu-
lar locality. We cannot give exact proportion.
21. Flat kind of ganja is preferred for smok-
ing.
22. Native charas is used generally. Turkish
charas is used particularly.
23. Never.
24. Some high caste Hindus drink bhang in
Nemad, Marwad, and di st ri ct s around t he
Ganges.
28. Habitual moderate consumers consume
about two pice worth ganja per diem.
Habitual excessive consumers consume six pice
worth ganja per diem.
29. Ganja, as a rule, is mixed with an equal
quantity of tobacco ordinarily ; and bhang is
mixed with Piper nigrum and aniseeds and with
sugar ordinarily. Ganja is mixed with dhatura
and sometimes with opium to increase its narcotic
property exceptionally.
Bhang massala is generally composed of Piper
nigrum, aniseeds, cardamoms, almonds, chestnuts.
30. To a very small extent ganja is consumed
in solitude, but to a great extent it is consumed
in company. It is not usual.
31. It can be easily formed and it is difficult
to break it. There is a great tendency in the
case of any of these drugs for the moderate habit
to develop into the excessive one.
32. It is largely consumed on the festival of
Shiva. It is generally excessive. It is likely to
form a habit and not otherwise injurious.
33. Ganja and charas are regarded with disre-
pute socially ; smokers are looked down. Use of