283
and, ganja consumers than in those of bhang.
There is a tendency, in the case of all these drugs,
for the moderate habit to develop into the exces-
sive. This is specially marked in the case of bhang.
Much, however, depends upon the pecuniary cir-
cumstances of the consumer.
32. I am not aware of any religious custom
according to which any of these drugs is used.
Amongst Hindus the bawas (religious head) keep
a very weak solution of bhang in temples for the
people who go there, and on certain days, for
instance the new moon day or some holidays, they
get prepared a larger quantity of such solution.
There is nothing religious about this. They by
doing so, get more customers, so to say. Again, on
festivals amongst Hindus, the head of the family
who gives the feast, sometimes gets a weak solu-
tion of bhang prepared, and distributes it amongst
the servants and cooks who are engaged on those
occasions. It is not essential that the head of the
family should so entertain his servants. He does
so either because he wishes to please them, or
because he is asked by some of them who happen
to be in the habit of using it. Again, in Hydera-
bad, Sind, there are certain families the members
of which never use alcohol in any shape. They, on
their festivals, entertain their guests with a sweet
and flavoured solution of bhang. There is no reli-
gious binding upon them to do so. They have
been doing so for generations, and the use of bhang
in this way has become more or less a social custom
amongst them. The use of bhang in the ways
indicated above is always temperate, and is not
likely to lead to the formation of a habit, except
amongst those who visit the temples and partake
of the solution daily.
I am not aware of any custom, religious or
social, in regard to the consumption of charas and
ganja.
Amongst Muhammadans there are otaras, where
a religious mendicant lives, and where he keeps
bhang ready for his customers. Such places are
generally resorted to by habitual excessive con-
sumers. Here charas and ganja are also smoked
freely. There is nothing religious about it; but
as charas and ganja are generally smoked in com-
pany, consumers find it convenient to meet at such
places and indulge in these drugs. These otaras
are almost always situated by the side of a tomb of
some Pir or holy man.
33. I have no reason to think that alcohol is now
being substituted for any of these drugs.
37. The effects of charas smoking last longer
than those of ganja smoking, and those of bhang
drinking the longest of all. The effects of charas
and ganja are observed immediately after smoking
and last a short time only, while those of bhang
are noticed some hours after it is taken and last for
many hours. Charas and ganja do not increase
appetite. Bhang does. All produce sleep but
bhang is the most effective in bringing it on.
39. I can give no opinion on this point.
40. Bhang is used internally by native doctors
in dysentry and gonorrhoea, and locally as a poul-
tice for boils and abscesses.
41. The moderate use of bhang is said to be
beneficial as a food accessory. It also gives staying-
power under severe exertion. It has no effects as
a febrifuge. It is used as a cooling drink in sum-
mer.
The moderate use of charas and ganja is not
beneficial in any of these ways.
42. I consider the moderate use of any of these
drugs to be harmless.
Reasons.—I have never seen any bad effects,
either immediate or remote, from their use in this
way.
44. The immediate effects of the moderate use
of these drugs on habitual consumers are, first it
refreshes them and secondly it produces a slight
degree of pleasurable intoxication, making the con-
sumer feel happy for a short time. Bhang creates
appetite. Charas and ganja do not affect it. The
effect lasts in the case of charas for about two
hours, in the case of ganja for about one hour, and
in the case of bhang for about six hours. There
are no after-effects. Yes; the want of subsequent
gratification does produce longing and uneasiness.
45. The habitual moderate use of any of these
drugs does not produce any effect beyond a tem-
porary pleasurable intoxication. So far as I have
been able to ascertain, it does not impair the con-
stitution. It does not injure digestion or cause
loss of appetite. It does not cause dysentery,
bronchitis, or asthma. It does not impair the
moral sense or induce laziness or habits of im-
morality or debauchery.
I am not aware of any cases where insanity has
been brought on by the moderate use of these
drugs. Nor have I any evidence to give to indi-
cate that insanity leads to indulgence in the use
of hemp drugs by persons deficient in self-con-
trol.
46. The habitual excessive use of these drugs
impairs the constitution. It renders it feeble.
Bhang, when used as an aphrodisiac, causes ner-
vous exhaustion. Also it leads to impotence and
sterility. All induce laziness and injure digestion
and impair appetite. Excessive use is supposed to
bring on temporary fits of insanity. Generally
mania of some kind is produced. I have no per-
sonal knowledge of any cases where insanity was
brought on by the excessive use of these drugs.
Again I have heard of people occasionally running
amuck. On enquiry in these cases it is found
that they had indulged freely in bhang just before
the fit. Often in such cases a motive is found for
the crimes committed by the persons affected, and
it would seem that they had indulged in bhang
simply to strengthen themselves for the perpetra-
tion of these acts. In some cases, however, no
such motive appears to exist.
47. No.
48. Children of intemperate men are liable to
nervous disorders; but I have no knowledge of
any specific cases.
49. Yes; bhang is used as an aphrodisiac. It
is so used by prostitutes also. I cannot say if its
use in this way is more or less injurious than its
use as an ordinary narcotic. Charas or ganja do
not appear to be used as aphrodisiacs.
50. Bhang is used excessively also as an aphro-
disiac. It is so used by some prostitutes. Its
use in this way is more injurious than its use as a
narcotic, as it causes nervous exhaustion. Also it
leads to impotence and sterility.
56. The substances that are sometimes used
with bhang are those noted in answer to question
No. 29. They are used more or less to flavour it.
They do not affect the effects of bhang. Til seed
and gram are said to increase the intoxicating
properties. Milk lessens the dryness of throat
caused by bhang. I have heard of dhatura
sometimes being mixed up with bhang, but this
mixture is never intended for personal consump-
tion. It is given by some of the criminal classes
to their victims to facilitate them in the perpetra-
tion of crimes.
vol. vii.
2 Q 2