372
6. Evidence of MOHAMMAD AKBAR ALI KHAN, Senior Hospital Assistant, Quetta.
1. During my service of twenty-two years I
have had frequent occasions to come in contact
with fakirs, bairagis (mendicants), and sick men
who were addicted to the use of these drugs.
2. Yes. Same names as given in this question.
19. For smoking only.
23. Never.
28. (a ) Ganja ½ tola ; price
varies at different
stations ...
½ to 1 anna.
Bhang
oz ; price
varies at different
stations
.
¼ anna,
(b) Ganja 3 to 5 tolas ;
price,
varies at
different stations . 3 to 5 annas.
Bhang 2 to 4 oz.;
price varies at
different stations . 1 to 2 annas.
29. Ordinary tobacco is added to ganja and
charas for smoking.
The following ingredients are usually mixed with
bhang, the object being to counteract its unplea-
sant effects, such as thirst, dryness of throat, etc.,
and render it palatable :— almond*, black pepper*,
aniseed*, kahu* (seeds of a plant), kulfa* (seeds of
a plant) coriander seeds*, cucumber seeds*, milk,
sugar, water.
30. Extends to female sex also, but to a small
extent. A preparation of sweetmeat called majum
is sold in the bazar. It contains bhang ; it is
chiefly used in cases of children, particularly for
small boys when they are to be circumcised, and in
girls when their ears or nose are to be pierced, the
object being to render the little ones fearless to the
operation.
31.. (a) No.
( b) and (c) Yes.
32. (a ) The use of bhang is customary amongst
* These form bhang massala, also known as thandai.
the people called Chaubes in Mathura; that of gan-
ja amongst bairagis (mendicants) in Ajudhia and
panties in Gaya. Charas is widely made use of by
Pathans in Central India. Kahars excessively
indulge in charas smoking.
(c) Yes ; except in the case of Pathans.
36. No.
37. Ganja is more intoxicating than bhang, but
its effects do not last as long as that of bhang.
Ganja at the commencement increases appetite,
but when long continued it tends to diminish it.
Ganja and charas tend to produce bronchitis.
Bhang not so.
40. (a ) Yes, smoking of ganja leaves is pre-
scribed in cases of spasmodic asthma with good
result.
(b) Used in cases of cattle before operation as
prophylactic of tetanus.
41. (a ) Yes; ganja and bhang, not charas,
(b) Yes.
(c ) Smoking ganja leaves as a preventive or palli-
ative in asthma.
44. Refreshing, intoxicating, and inducing ap-
petite. The effect of charas lasts for about two
hours, that of ganja three to four hours, and that
of bhang eight to twelve hours.
45. The long and continued use of charas and
ganja impairs constitution, and causes partial loss
of appetite, and sometimes bronchitis; induces lazi-
ness and habit of debauchery.
4 7 a n d 4 8 . N o .
4 9 .
( a ) a n d ( b )
Y e s .
(c) Yes, its primary effect as an aphrodisiac leads
to excessive debauchery, whereby generative organs
are weakened, resulting into impotence.
56. Ganja and. bhang (chiefly majum) are
sometimes employed with criminal intent, dhatura
being mixed with bhang.
7. Evidence of BHUGWAN DASS, Khattri, Hospital Assistant, Quetta.
1. Personal experience.
2. Yes. Charas, ganja and bhang. Majum is
a compound of bhang butter and sugar.
19. Ganja and charas especially used only for
smoking.
23. Not to my knowledge.
RS. A. P.
28. (a ) Bhang ½ chittack, cost 0 0 6
Charas 3 mashas 45 grains,
cost
0 1
0
(b) Bhang 4 chittacks, cost
0 2 0
Charas 1 tola, cost
0 4 0
29. Bhang, ganja, and charas are used as they
are. Not known to me.
30. In solitude to a small extent. Male sex
only, but almost all prostitutes and women of ill-
fame use it, but until 20 years of age generally.
31. (a) and (b) Yes.
(c) Yes, always; most common in bad company
and idleness.
32. No custom, social or religious, allows the
use of these drugs, but among low class of people
it is customary to keep it ready when there is a
punchait, in case anybody may want it. Bhang is
generally used. by some classes of people on certain
festivals, but it is not essential. Yes ; injurious in
its after-effects. Among fakirs and sadhus it is a
necessary article for fixing ideas on divinity.
By the use of the drug the mental faculties of
the brain are excited, that the subjects are able to
evolve sublime ideas, but under the excessive use of
the drug the ideas continue rising to an enormous
pitch which we name perversion of ideas or insanity.
36. Yes; the aclohol is very commonly used, the
drunkards are daily found by the road sides . The
alcohol being used by Europeans, whose example is
naturally followed by the natives, and it is a
stronger and. diffusible drink, much more easy to
obtain it than formerly ; the use of alcohol is consi-
dered no more sin at present ; effects of alcohol is to
dilate the cutaneous capillaries, therefore mostly
used when warmth is required, in preference to
hemp preparations, which only affects the sensi-
bility of the cutaneous nerves.
37. Bhang does not affect the nutrition of the
body so long as it is taken in a very diluted form.
It is an innocent drink in the above form, especial-