290
27. Generally fakirs use intoxicating drugs.
Bhang is the root of all hemp drugs. First people
learn bhang drinking, thence they are led on to
take other drugs.
28. (a) Habitual moderate consumers of bhang
spend ½ anna daily, and excessive drinkers drink
bhang 1/16 to ⅛; of a seer daily.
(a) Moderate bhang consumers drink 2 tolas.
(b) Excessive bhang consumers consume 8 tolas.
29. I do not know.
31. The habit of drinking bhang is easily con-
tracted, and it leads to excess, and then it is diffi-
cult to break off the habit. It would not be diffi-
cult to prohibit it in the case of beginners at the
habit.
32. None of these drugs is allowed under the
Mussalman law. But among Hindus certain reli-
gious fakirs use bhang and consider it lawful.
33. The use of these drugs is generally regarded
as bad, and generally their use is in disrepute.
For a man when intoxicated loses his senses. I do
not know it positively, but I do not think any sect
worships the hemp plant.
34. At first there will be much inconvenience,
but giving it up will cause no injury, for the in-
toxicating drug does not satisfy hunger; it only
gives temporary relief. I cannot give the exact
numbers, but many fakirs would be inconvenienced.
35. Prohibition could be effected by Government
if an Act were passed prohibiting the use of any
of these drugs. Such a prohibition will at first
cause discontent among the consumers, but such
discontent would subside. It would involve loss
of revenue to Government. The prohibition would
not be followed by recourse being had to alcoholic
stimulants, etc. I cannot, however, speak with
confidence.
36 and 37. I do not know.
38 and 39. I could not obtain any information
on this point.
40. This drug is not prescribed as necessary by
Greek physicians, nor should I think of prescrib-
ing it generally.
41. The habitual use is not beneficial in its effect,
but the occasional use gives a temporary benefit.
I am speaking only of bhang.
42. Bhang, if moderately used, is not injurious,
but ganja and charas are injurious. For the in-
toxicating effects of bhang are less than those of
the other two.
43. No.
44. It is refreshing. It produces intoxication.
It creates appetite. Its effects last for 3 hours.
It produces longing if it cannot be obtained.
45. (About bhang alone.) It produces physical
energy. It produces noxious effects in morality.
At first the appetite is lost. It produces habits of
immorality and debauchery.
It may deaden the intellect. It does not produce
asthma. It produces temporary insanity in many
cases. I know nothing more.
46. I do not know.
47. I have never heard of its being hereditary,
and no effects are visible in the children of parents
who consume it.
48. I cannot get sufficient information.
49. I have no experience. Prostitutes do use it.
It is commonly known that excessive use of it for
that purpose ends by destroying manly power.
50. I cannot obtain any information.
51. One who has experience will be able to say.
It is the root of all vice.
52. I do not know.
53. It is very probable that it leads to the com-
mission of offences.
54. One occasionally hears so.
55. It may be so.
56. I cannot say anything about it.
57. I do not know.
58 and 59. I cannot say any thing about it.
60 and 61. It is not produced in this province.
62. The control exercised by Government on the
cultivation of bhang is sufficient.
63 and. 64. I have no objections.
65. I cannot say anything about it.
66. I do not know.
67. I cannot say anything.
68. There are such shops, and they are licensed.
I cannot say anything further.
69. The wishes of the people are not consulted,
nor do I think it necessary that public opinion
should be considered.
70. I do not know.
26. Evidence of SETH VISHINDAS NIHALCHAND, Zamindar, Merchant, and Con-
tractor, Manjoo, Karachi.
1. I have an experience of thirty-five years. And I
am a zamindar, contractor, and merchant. My
tenants cultivate bhang in certain portions of my
land. Many classes of people work under me, among
whom there are many consumers of hemp drugs,
and I observe their habits of smoking and drinking.
I have experience of tikanas, dharamsalas, dewaras,
madhis, and otaras, where these drugs are exten-
sively used, and of persons using them in the above
places and of the consequences resulting from them.
Fakirs and saints (religious devout persons) are
often my guests. I have observed them using
these drugs, and gained experience from personal
observations. Except on rare occasions, I have one
or two physicians always working under me, who
treat those persons whom I employ under me, and
other physicians are often my guests. I have
gathered some information from them too. More-
over, I have gathered this information from observ-
ing the habits of consumers of these drugs in my
village and in other towns and from enquiries from
others.
2. Dr. Prain's report that in India three narcotic
articles are obtained from hemp is correct, and the
modes of preparing them as detailed by him are
also generally true. But in addition to the names
of bhang given by him, it is known by other names
also, as the plant of Shiva, sai, akoi. But these
names are not given to the dry leaves of the plant,
as mentioned by Dr. Prain. The names sai and
sabzi are given to the pounded and wet leaves of
bhang. But the names akoi, pali, and Shiva plant
are given to the dry leaves of the plant; Shiva
plant and siddhi have the same signification;