228

25. There is no marked increase or decrease, as
far as my knowledge goes.

27. Jogis, Kahars, bairagis, Thakurs and fakirs
are generally taken to drugs, and the social habits
lead to the practice.

29.   Tobacco is generally mixed with ganja and
charas by consumers of all classes. The well-to-do
classes exceptionally mix with these drugs some
smelly spices, such as mace, etc.

The poor classes mix dhatura simply to make
up the deficiency. The object of other admixture
is to deteriorate the bad effect. Pepper, almond,
aniseed, rose, melon seeds, coriander seeds, car-
damoms, milk and sugar are the chief ingredients
mixed with bhang. No bhang massala is prepared
or sold in this district,

30.  The use is confined to male sex over 12
years of age. The children very seldom use these
drugs.

31.  The habit of consuming drugs can be easily
formed by associating with the consumers. It is
difficult to break off the habit, and there is some
tendency which develops the habit into the ex-
cessive.

32.  There are no social or religious customs
with regard to the use of drugs.

33.  The consumption of drugs is generally re-
garded bad, because it tells on whole constitution
and renders a man useless. The hemp plant is not
worshipped by any sect in this district.

34.  The consumers are sure to suffer, should
they be made to give up the use of drugs, because
they cannot easily and safely give up their long-
acquired habits. Twenty-five per cent. of con-
sumers might suffer the most.

35. The use of drugs in my opinion should not
be prohibited. It will certainly lead to illicit use.
The prohibition can only be enforced gradually.
It must create general discontent, though it may
not amount to political danger. The prohibition
is sure to lead consumers to other alcoholic and
drugs.

36.  Alcohol is not at all substituted for drugs
to the best of my knowledge.

37.  The effects are not different, but charas is
stronger than ganja.

38.  Flat is stronger than round, and round is
stronger than chur.

39.  Smoking is certainly less injurious. Eating
and drinking are apt to create headache, stomach-
ache, sickness and bowel complaints.

40.  The native physicians prescribe sometimes
bhang in cases of diarrhoea and fever. It is also
used in the treatment of cattle disease, paralyth,
foot and mouth disease.

41. Yes ; Brahmins, Thakurs, banias and other
higher classes use drugs for purposes mentioned
in question. I would estimate 10 per cent. of the
consumers who habitually use it.

43.  Never, to the best of my knowledge.

44.  Refreshing is the immediate effect of the
moderate use of drugs. It also produces intoxi-
cation and creates appetite. The effect lasts about
an hour. The after-effects are that it injures the
brain and lungs.

45.  Yes ; it does produce noxious physical
effects in old age. It impairs the constitution,
digestion, and causes loss of appetite. It also
causes dysentery, bronchitis and asthma. It does
not produce insanity or injure the intellect as far
as ray experience goes, and I refrain to state
reasons on other points referred to in the question.

46.  The excessive use is more injurious and
produces rapid and bad effects. It does not pro-
duce insanity.

47.  The habit of consuming drugs do not
appear to be hereditary, and it does not affect in
any way the children of consumers.

48.  See reply to question No. 47.

49.  The use of drugs is practised as aphrodisiac
in the beginning. The prostitutes do not use it
in this district. The use of hemp causes im-
potence to some extent.

50.  The excessive use brings on bad affects
rapidly.

51.  I don't think that bad characters consume
drugs in large proportion. The use of drugs has
no connection with crimes.

52.  See No. 51.

53.  My local knowledge does not permit me to
say that the use of drugs incites to unpremeditated
crime or violence. The intoxication created by
drugs produces timidness, which discourages the
serious offences to some extent.

54 and 55. No.

56.  The admixtures are made generally to re-
move the defects. With regard to dhatura, I can
say that it is mixed with drugs for personal use,
when the consumer cannot obtain the sufficient
quantity required, and for the others it is mixed
for purposes of committing crimes.

57.  Ganja and charas are never eaten or drunk
to the best of my knowledge.

161. Evidence of SAYED ABDUL SAMAD,* Hakim, Bareilly.

I, Saiyed Abdul Samad, residing at Bareilly,
Mahalla Biharipur, have been practising as a
physician for (the last) 24 or 25 years and give
below in brief the information I have derived and
the experience I have gained from the treatment
of patients suffering from the after-effects of the
use of opium, charas, bhang and ganja.

Although the questions (framed by the Hemp
Drugs Commission) are (many and) different,
(I think) the inquiry is directed (solely) to the
following points, viz.:—
(1) The nature (or description of each) of these
drugs.
(2) The therapeutic effects of each drug.
(3) The (uses or) various methods of using the
drugs.
(4)  The effects of their consumption (on the con-
sumers).
(5)   Whether it is necessary or not that the Gov-
ernment should interfere in any way (in the
practice of consuming the drugs) or prohibit the
same.

Though the witnesses are directed to write their
answer to each question (in the blank space)
opposite the question, yet by following this in-
struction I shall have to confine my answer to the

* This witness also sent in a set of answers to questions exactly the same as those of Witness 118, which have not been
eprinted.