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season. The fluid obtained by the maceration of
these ingredients in cold water is known as
"thadul," i.e., a refrigerant. The first drug of
this group of ingredients is employed on account
of its carminative action, serving to relieve the
flatulence which bhang not unfrequently produces;
the rosebuds and melon seeds act as mild laxa-
tives, and kasni (seed of the Chicorium intybus),
being a diuretic and a mild hepatic tonic, is anti-
bilious in its action and confers upon the drink
additional refrigerant properties.

   The ingredients mentioned in group (c) are em-
ployed only on very special occasions, e.g., religious
festivals, marriage feasts, etc., and then only by
the well-to-do classes of people. In such instances
the process of maceration is effected either in pure
milk, or first in water, and the milk added subse-
quently.

   Ganja is generally smoked with tobacco, some-
times by itself. Charas in combination with tobac-
co always.

   30.As a rule, in solitude a larger quantity of
bhang is consumed by each individual than in com-
pany. I should think, to judge from my cases,
on an average, about double the quantity. Gener-
ally "ghata bhang," i.e., a strong mixture, is used
in private, while "panga," i.e., a weak and dilute
mixture, is distributed in company, e.g., daily in
the tikhanas or places of workship, at the various
bhang shops, and at home gatherings. Both
males and females (adults) partake of the potation;
males in the majority by far. Young men over 18
sometimes, young women under 25 never. It is
not usual for children to consume either of the
three drugs. Ganja is used in larger quantities in
solitude than in company; its use is generally con-
fined to adult males, with the exception of prosti-
tutes and the wives of certain classes of fakirs.
Charas is more largely consumed in company than
in solitude, and is almost entirely limited to the
male sex.

   31. No, provided the consumer is not naturally
of dissipated habits.

   Yes, as regards ganja and charas. Moderate
consumers of bhang can easily break off the habit,
as is seen in cases where the drug has been employed
for medicinal purposes, or taken as a refreshing
draught during the hot season only and disconti-
nued in the cold. Even confirmed bhang drinkers
can break off the habit, but, of course, with diffi-
culty.

   No; so far as bhang is concerned, I have found
from careful enquiry that individuals who have
used the drug over periods varying from ten to fifty
years have done so without making any appreciable
difference in their daily amount of consumption.
A case which came under my notice of a man fully
80 years of age, and habituated to taking daily only
a pice worth of bhang for forty-three years conti-
nuously, bears out my statement; and this is not
the only instance of its kind.

   32. I have simply been able to ascertain that
the hemp being a plant sacred to Shiva, on Shiva-
ratri day the followers of Shiva drink bhang as a
matter of custom. The followers of Dheria Lal,
the god of waters, use bhang with sugar-candy as
a matter of religious principle once a week, namely
every Tuesday morning. In both cases the drink
is regarded as essential.

   The quantity depends on what the individual is
in the habit of consuming usually, which is seldom
exceeded. The habit being already formed, and
never broken or relaxed, may eventually damage
the constitution, especially if the individual is also
addicted to ganja or charas. I know of no custom
where ganja or charas alone is concerned.

   Hardly any. Those consuming any of these
drugs are, I find, not satisfied if alcohol be substi-
tuted for them; and indulgence in alcohol does not
destroy the craving for bhang when once the habit
of taking it has been formed. Preconceived ideas
of the beneficial effects of bhang, especially as being
a "quiet" intoxicant as compared with "boister-
ous " alcohol, militate against the substitution.

   37. Yes, the effects of bhang drinking differ
materially from those of charas and ganja smoking,
and the effects of the latter also differ from each
other in certain particulars. Careful observations
of many cases have helped me to record the follow-
ing notes of their effects, and the points which
distinguish one from the other. The effects of
ganja and charas might be compared as follows: —