20
being the means of the consumer. Physical aches
and pains, mental depression, general joylessness
of life among the more indigent classes, the force
of bad example, are all incentives to get tempo--
rary rest and oblivion.
28. (a ) About ½ tola, costing ¼ anna.
(b) Double or treble that quantity.
29. Tobacco is generally mixed with ganja to
improve the flavour. Pepper, poppy-seed, almonds,
cardamoms, and sometimes sugar and milk, are
mixed with bhang-water according to fancy and
taste, and with the object of rendering it more
palatable and warmer to the stomach. I am told
that dhatura is occasionally mixed with charas to
enhance its inebriating powers.
30. Bhang and ganja are usually taken in com-
- p a n y , t h o u g h s o m e i n c o r r i g i b l e s p r e f e r g a n j a
smoking by themselves. The habit is mainly
confined to the male sex, who contract it at any
time of life. Children seldom consume any of
these drugs, though they may be allowed a sip
of bhang-water as ours are of wine as a treat on
special occasions.
31. Not more so than in the case of alcohol-
drinkers in respect to bluing. Much more fre-
quently the ganja smoker becomes a slave to the
habit and falls into excess.
32. I understand that Shiva or Mahadev is
regarded by Hindus as the special patron of
bhang, and that it is always imbibed on his sacred
days and festivals. I have not heard that orgies
are indulged in on these occasions; and, as they
are infrequent, I do not think they are likely to
have any effect in forming habits.
33. Ganja smoking is regarded among all
classes as a degrading and disgraceful habit.
This feeling is due partly to the classes of people
who consume it owing to its cheapness, and partly
to the baneful effects which result from its exces-
- s i v e u s e . N o s u c h s t i g m a a p p l i e s t o t h e t a k i n g o f
bhang. The hemp plant is not an object of wor--
ship to my knowledge.
34. I am of opinion that it would for obvious
reasons. In this district I do not think more
than 5 per cent. of the population would be
affected.
35. Absolute prohibition would certainly entail
smuggling, which could not be stopped. The
discontent would be sore among the classes affect--
e d , b u t n o t s u c h a s t o a m o u n t t o a p o l i t i c a l
danger.
I don't believe in the possibility of absolute
effective prohibition of the use of ganja and
bhang ; but if it could be, alcohol, I believe,
would be the substitute. The remaining alter-
native, opium, operates as a sedative, and could
hardly be a fit substitute for hemp drugs, which
are excitant and irritant in their nature.
3 6 . S e e a n s w e r t o q u e s t i o n N o . 2 5 .
37. Only that they are much more rapid and
far more powerful.
39. I should say that ganja and charas smoking
with or without admixture are much more injurious
than bhang-drinking. I know of no edible
preparation made from the hemp plants.
40. Taken on a full stomach, bhang and ganja
are esteemed to be good for digestion and as
appetisers to brace the nerves and sharpen the
intellect. Bhang is used in cases of rheumatism
and fever. I do not know that they are used in
cases of cattle disease, though bhang is given to
cattle to increase their supply of milk.
41. See above.
42. No decided answer can be given. The effects
depend upon the temperament of the taker,
the quantity in which and the times when the
stimulant is taken. Generally it may be said
that, like smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol, it
is comparatively harmless if taken with care, mode.
ration, and due consideration of the consumer's
constitutional peculiarities. No hard-and-fast
rule can be laid down.
43. Quite so.
46. The excessive ganja smoker may be
detected by his emaciated body, his dull lustre
-
less eye, his listlessness and feebleness. H
e
becomes after a few years enfeebled in body and
mind, and even a worse wreck than the victim of
alcohol. Appetite goes, and at last the madden--
ing fumes become his sole resort for temporary
relief and oblivion.
47. No.
49. Not to my knowledge, though it is not
doubtful that excessive ganja smoking will in
time affect the virile powers.
51. None whatever.
53. Men, no doubt, become highly excited and
lose their mental balance by excessive indulgence.
It was commonly reported that the man who at--
tacked and was shot by Mr. W. Woodward, Col--
lector of Nasik, some years ago, was frenzied by
the use of hemp drugs.
54. I know of no such cases ; but it is said
that persons about to run "amuck" do so to fortify
themselves to get the steam up.
55. I have never heard of bhang or ganja being
so used without the admixture of dhatura or some
other potent drug,
58. I consider the system is as simple and
effectual as it can well be, and I know of no
measures which can be suggested for its improve--
ment.
59. I think, perhaps that the maximum
quantity allowed to be in any one's possession (40
tolas) is too high, and its reduction to one-fourth
that amount would not be considered a hard--
ship.
63 and 64. None.
6 8 . N o .
69. The consumption is so insignificant in this
district that local option has seldom to be taken
into consideration. As Collector of the district,
however, I should ascertain the wishes of the
people before establishing a new shop in any
locality.
70. I should say that smuggling was rare and
that the tax is usually paid.