vol. vii.
2 D
185
saffron, musk, almond, pista, charoli, sugar, and
milk. I know sometimes shaloo jowari roots (the
roots of jowari cultivated in the cold season) are
mixed with bhang to increase its narcotic effect ;
and in ganja, dhatura seeds are sometimes added
to increase its narcotic effect.
I know that a preparation, known as bhang mas-
sala, is sold in the market, the ingredients of
which are almost the same, which are exceptionally
used in preparing bhang drink.
30. The consumption of these drugs is practised
in solitude as well as in company. The use of
these drugs is mainly confined to the male sex.
Few of the women of sadhus and bawas use ganja.
It is generally practised after 16 years of age. In
childhood it is not practised. It is not usual for
children to consume any of these drugs. The
jewellers give bhang, when specially prepared, to
their children and women. In Navasari and in
other parts of Gujarat and Central Provinces
women on seldom occasions drink bhang.
31. The habit of consuming these drugs is
easily formed. If the habit is of a long standing
the man finds it difficult to break it off. The
moderate habit is generally developed into exces-
sive one.
32. There is no custom, social or religious, when
the use of these drugs is essential.
33. The use of these drugs is in disrepute.
The hemp plant is not worshipped by any people.
34. There will be no serious privation to the
consumers to forego the use of these drugs.
35. It is feasible to prohibit the use of these
drugs. Consumers would for some time use the
drugs illicitly. No doubt the consumers would
be discontented, but such discontent will not
amount to a political danger. Those who do not
drink alcohol will not take to it, but will try to
break off the habit.
36. I do not think that alcohol is substituted
for these drugs to any extent.
37. The effect of charas is to stupefy the con-
sumer. Ganja excites the man.
38. I do not know round ganja. The narcotic
effect of fiat ganja is stronger than that of chur
or broken ganja.
39. The smoking of ganja and charas is less in-
jurious than drinking and eating the same.
40. I used bhang in pains, rheumatism, fevers
loss of appetite, restlessness, burning symptoms in
phthisis, dysentery, acute and chronic diarrhœa,
cramps, hysteria, headache, tetanus, muscular rheu-
matism, brain fever, and hætmorrhage. Ganja is
used in cases of loss of appetite, loss of sleep, and
colic, and sometimes as a stimulant. I do not use
charas. Bhang is prescribed along with other
native medicines in different forms of the above
diseases.
41. The moderate use of ganja and bhang is
beneficial. Bhang is a food accessory. Ganja
taken on empty stomach injures the constitution,
but if taken after food, it is digestive and refresh-
ing in exertion and fatigue. Ganja and bhang
are used in malarious tracts to prevent the malari-
ous attacks. I have experienced that the consumers
of bhang and ganja very rarely suffer from malari-
ous fever. Ganja has a special property of giving
tone to liver. It is the occasional moderate use.
42. The moderate use of ganja and bhang is
beneficial.
43. The moderate consumers of ganja and
bhang are not offensive to their neighbours.
44. The immediate effects of the moderate use
of ganja and bhang on the habitual consumer are
refreshing and produce little intoxication. In
some cases it creates appetite and in some cases it
does not create appetite. At times man gets vomit.
The effect lasts for about seven hours. The after-
effects are dulness and dryness of the mouth, and
the want of subsequent gratification is produced.
45. The habitual moderate use of ganja and
bhang does not produce any noxious effects, physi-
cal, mental, or moral; does not injure the constitu-
tion. Ganja after long time, and if no nutritious
food is taken, would produce bronchitis and
asthma, and weaken the teeth. The moderate use
does not deaden the intellect.
46. I cannot positively say that excessive use
of ganja and bhang injures the man, physically,
mentally, and morally. It depends on the man's
constitution. I have seen several excessive con-
sumers in good health, and I have also seen men
using these drugs occasionally have turned mad
47. The habitual moderate use of any of these
drugs does not appear to be a hereditary habit, or
to affect in any way the children of the moderate
consumer.
48. The excessive use even does not affect the
children of the consumers.
49. Bhang is used in moderation as an aphrodi-
siac. When it is used for the said purpose it is
more injurious than its use as an ordinary narcotic.
Bhang, for the above purpose, is administered
along with other ingredients. There is one trea-
tise called Wajikarana which treats of preserving
potency, and in which the use of bhang has been
mentioned as an aphrodisiac.
50. Bhang is not used in excess as au aphro-
disiac.
51. I know the large proportion of bad charac-
ters use these drugs more or less, but I do not
think that there is any connection with crime in
general, or with crime of any special character.
53. 1 do not know of any case where a criminal
has committed unpremeditated crime after the use
of ganja or bhang.
54. There is no such property in ganja and
bhang as to shake the timidity and to nerve the
person to commit a premeditated act of violence or
other crime.
55. I do not know of any case in which crimin-
als, in order to further their designs, have induced
their victims to partake of any of these drugs and
so stupefy them. Complete stupefaction is not
produced by these drugs without admixture.
56. The effects of ganja are modified by adding
tobacco, and that of bhang are modified by diluting
it with water. Dhatura seeds are mixed with
ganja and shaloo jowari roots with bhang to in-
crease their narcotic property.
57. The effects of eating and drinking ganja
and charas are not in any way different from those
of smoking,
58 to 70. These questions deal with admini-
stration, taxation and control; and as I am ignor-
ant of the present system of administration, I am not
in a position to make any suggestion on that head.