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practised as an aphrodisiac and by prostitutes also,
and it is not more injurious than its use as an or-
dinary narcotic. No.
50. The excessive use of any of these drugs is
practised as a great aphrodisiac by prostitutes, but
its use for this purpose is more injurious than its use
as an ordinary narcotic, since it causes nervous ex-
haustion, mental derangement and impotence.
The admixture of other substances with hemp
used in moderation changes slightly the effect of
dryness which the hemp would produce if taken by
itself, and if it be used in excess the effect will be
modified to a great extent.
I have said in reply No. 29 that the admixture
of dhatura and opium with hemp in an exceptional
case for personal consumption and object is already
noted, but in many cases the dhatura and opium
are administered in hemp to others, in order to
commit theft and murder through malice.
57. I have not come across any case of the kind.
In conclusion, in my opinion the use of all these
drugs should be discouraged and resorted to only
medicinally. The prohibition of the sale of these
drugs will save many persons being nipped in the
bud and prevent the perpetration of offences and
be instrumental in promoting the health and wel-
fare of the public at large.
23. Evidence of SHAIK ALI, First Class Hospital Assistant,Jacobabad.
1. During my medical career.
2. Yes.
Bhang, charas, and ganja.
19. To the best of my belief, I have known
ganja and charas used only for smoking.
23. Bhang is very seldom used for smoking;
but at a push ganja and charas smokers will sub-
stitute bhang when others are not to be had by
both poor classes, especially Hindus and Muham-
madans.
28. (a ) About 1 pice worth, the weight of 2 pice
per diem.
( b ) About 2 annas worth, or 4 oz. per diem.
29. Ganja and charas are both mixed with
tobacco and then smoked. The heavy bhang
drinkers who find bhang by itself weak, generally
add opium and dhatura; but many are in the habit
of swallowing a pill or bolus of solid opium and
drinking the bhang on the top of it. The object
of these admixtures is to increase intoxication;
but the preparation known as bhang massala used
among Hindus, contains a little bhang, to which is
added poppy seeds, pepper, cardamoms, almonds, and
aniseed, and the whole sweetened with batashas or
sugarcandy, and by those who can afford it milk
and cream are added and the mixture used as a
cooling beverage.
30. To an equal extent. It is chiefly taken by
the male sex, mostly adults, and it is not usual
for children to consume these drugs.
31. The habit is easily formed but very difficult
to breako f f . B e g i n n e r s s t a r t w i t h a v e r y s m a l l
quantity about the weight of one-twelfth of an anna,
and gradually increase it until they arrive at that
quantity which they find sufficient to intoxicate.
Yes.
32. Especially among Hindus, those who are not
even in the habit of t a k i n g a n y o f t h e s e d r u g s wi l l
partake of bhang on their holidays and on the occa--
sion of a marriage. On Shivaratri in particular, they
do consider it essential to partake of bhang, and on
this day, in addition to the poppy seeds, pepper,
cardamoms, and aniseed, they add dhatura and
arsenic, also a leaf of the akra plant, that is half
a pod of dhatura, and with the arsenic they draw
a line on the bottom of the pot. Hindus, especially
in Sind, do consider it necessary to make them
happy.
It is generally temperate. It is not likely to
lead to acquiring the habit, as many who drink
bhang on Shivaratri don't touch it again for the
remainder of the year. I do not consider bhang so
used injurious.
36. Unknown.
37. Yes, charas is far stronger than ganja.
The effects of charas are almost immediate, while
ganja takes longer to act, the intoxication coming
on after a time, and lasting a shorter period, say
half an hour, while that of charas lasts about an
hour or more. Bhang is far milder in its effects,
but its intoxication lasts from 5 to 6 hours and is
far less injurious.
39. The smoking of ganja and charas are far
more injurious than drinking bhang or eating
majum, which is a sweetmeat prepared from
bhang. I find that ganja and charas smokers
generally waste away, getting thinner and thinner
as they continue in the habit, which is not the
case with bhang drinkers; charas and ganja act on
the brain, nervous, and respiratory system, which
in time brings on constitutional derangement, such
as bronchitis, shortness of breath, and seldom bleed-
ing piles. It also causes sometimes temporary
insanity.
40. Yes, hakims do prescribe it for its medicinal
properties and prepare a sweetmeat called majum,
which is used for aphrodisiac purposes. Bhang is
also used in the treatment of cattle. Horse condi-
tion powders and boluses are prepared from bhang
only.
41. I do not know any beneficial properties ex-
-cept medicinal.
42. Charas and ganja, although used in modera-
tion, will, in my opinion, leave injurious effects in
the end. Bhang, on the contrary, if indulged in in
small doses is harmless.
44. The immediate effects of charas and ganja
are on the nervous system; they do not refresh,
but certainly produce intoxication. They do allay
hunger, but do not create appetite. The effect of
charas lasts about an hour or more, but that of
ganja is slower to act, and lasts a shorter time, say
half an hour. Yes, headache and a peculiar un--
easiness, which is only relieved by another smoke,
after the effects of which have passed away there
is the same longing. Bhang is refreshing at first,
but, when it commences to act, its intoxication
causes a frightened feeling or timidity, but is far
milder in its effects. The intoxication lasts from
5 to 6 hours. It does not allay hunger, but on
the contrary creates appetite. A person under the
effects of bhang will eat more than usual. There
are no after-effects, so to speak, resembling those
of charas or ganja; but if the bhang drinker does
not take his usual quantum at the stated hour, he
does feel an uneasiness and a longing, and he can--
not eat his food properly, as it seems distasteful.
45. (a) The habitual moderate bhang drinking
produces no noxious effects, but smoking charas and
ganja makes a man physically and mentally feeble.
It has no bad effects morally.