Opening Quotes
Questions on the subject by the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission 1895
36. Is there any reason for thinking that alcohol is now being to a certain extent substituted for any of these drugs? If so, to what causes do you attribute this change, and what proof is there of its reality?
My thoughts on the subject
The above question, a part of the questions by the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission in 1894, asks if alcohol has taken the place of the hemp drugs i.e. bhang, ganja and charas among consumers. Alcohol, as referred to here is, essentially, distilled alcohol, which increasingly became available from western sources over the last 400 years. Indians have used alcohol from time immemorial, but it was mostly in the form of fermented alcohols like palm toddy. Under western influences, in addition to the gradual prohibition of these fermented alcohols and cannabis, Indian society gradually developed a great liking for distilled alcohol. The Indian upper classes first adopted it as it was expensive to start with. Over time, it became the only legally available intoxicant and vast numbers of Indians took to it, as predicted by the wise persons who opposed cannabis prohibition in the 19th century.
The dangers of distilled alcohol were already clearly evident in the 19th century itself. Many of the British medical experts consulted by the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, well versed with the effects of western alcohol on European society and its irrefutable link to addiction, insanity and violent crime, warned that the prohibition of cannabis would encourage the use of the much more dangerous western alcohol by Indians. In the 19th century, nearly 20% of insanity among European males was attributed to alcohol. The experts warned that the Indian tendency to consume alcohol in large quantities, and the genetic make up of Indians, would turn out to be a disastrous combination for Indian society. A majority of 3 to 1 witnesses said that alcohol was much more harmful than cannabis, which did not wreck even the most excessive consumer. All warnings went unheeded and cannabis was prohibited while the use of western alcohol was actively encouraged by the administration.
Today, alcohol forms a key chunk of the revenue for many Indian states, with the state setting revenue targets for alcohol sales. Indian society, even in its most remote places, is ravaged by alcohol addiction. Not only is branded distilled alcohol freely available everywhere, there are numerous spurious brands of illicit alcohol widely available to cater to the needs of the poorest individuals. I, personally, have known at least half a dozen persons who died from addiction to alcohol, individuals who lost their well paid jobs and all their possessions, whose families left them because of the unbearable suffering, individuals who died outside alcohol shops as tramps, waiting for the shops to open or for someone to buy them their alcohol. With increased isolation, economic and social stress in the last couple of years, the numbers of people who have sought refuge in alcohol has soared. Increasingly youth, women, the sick, homeless and the elderly have become addicted to alcohol. Alcohol related violent crime, including domestic violence, formed more than 80% of world wide violent crime in 2020, according to the UNODC. Millions die, officially, worldwide every year due to alcohol. The state, however, continues to actively encourage the use of distilled alcohol while turning a blind eye on cannabis, the safest intoxicant, whose prohibition has led to this growing health catastrophe in Indian society.
Summary findings regarding the harms of alcohol in comparison to cannabis.
The Indian Hemp Commission's findings on alcohol in comparison to cannabis is as follows:
490. In this connection it is well to notice the references made to alcohol. It is only a minority of the witnesses who compare alcohol and hemp drugs. But it is a striking fact that of these witnesses a majority of about three to one declare alcohol to be more injurious than hemp drugs. In every province the majority of the witnesses who make this comparison hold the view above expressed. This majority includes experienced officers of Government. Thus Colonel Hutchinson, Commissioner of Lahore (Punjab witness No. 4), says: "So far as effects have come to my notice, the effects of liquor are infinitely worse than those of drugs." Mr. J. B. Thomson, Collector of Allahabad (North-Western Provinces witness No. 2), gave evidence to the following effect: "I remember no case from which I can deduce the theory that the use of the drugs is in any way connected with crime; that is to say, from my own personal experience. I cannot say the same regarding alcohol even among natives of this country." Similarly, Mr. Toynbee, Commissioner of Bhagalpur (Bengal witness No. 4), says: "I have never had persons pointed out to me as social wrecks from the effects of ganja. As far as I have seen, many more cases of evil effects from alcohol than from hemp have come before me." And Colonel Bowie, Commissioner in the Central Provinces (witness No. 2), says: "I can call to mind a great many cases which I have had to deal with as a Magistrate and as a Sessions Judge, in which serious hurt and homicide have been caused by persons under the influence of alcohol, but not a single case of crime of any kind which had been committed under the influence of bhang or ganja." Representative officers from other provinces might be quoted, such as Mr. Vidal or Mr. Campbell, C.I.E., in Bombay, or Mr. H. E. M. James, Commissioner in Sind. The Rev. Mr. Laflamme (Madras witness No. 153), who took much pains in collecting information, gives evidence in the same sense. It is, however, in the northern provinces that there is most experience of these drugs. The only officer of standing in Upper India who holds the contrary view is Mr. T. Stoker, Excise Commissioner, North-Western Provinces (witness No. 6), who says: "I put these drugs above liquor and opium in their injurious tendencies." In saying this, he differs, however, both from his predecessor, Mr. R. Wall (witness No. 233), who held the office for eleven years, and from the Hon'ble A. Cadell (witness No. 1), who is the Member of the Board of Revenue in charge of Excise.
The opinion that alcohol is more injurious than hemp drugs is also expressed by leading Native gentlemen in these provinces, such as Maharaja Bahadur Sir Jotindra Mohan Tagore, K.C.S.I. (Bengal witness No. 163), Munshi Newal Kishore (North-Western Provinces witness No. 231), Babu P.C. Chatterji, Judge, Chief Court (Punjab witness No. 76), and the Hon'ble Gangadhar Madho Chitnavis (Central Provinces witness No. 46). The first of these only need be quoted. He says: "The use of the aforesaid indigenous drugs appears to me to be preferable to the use of ardent spirits and wines now rapidly replacing them to the great injury of the moral and material well-being of our people. Prohibition, I fear, would lead many to take to the use of ardent liquors, and this, in my humble opinion, would be replacing one evil by another of still greater magnitude." These views are held by the great majority of the native witnesses who make the comparison between hemp drugs and alcohol; and there is really no witness of authority on the other side.
This is also the opinion of medical witnesses who make this comparison. It is no doubt an accepted and established opinion among medical men that the evil effects of alcohol are intensified in the tropics. This may explain the very strong opinion held regarding alcohol. Perhaps it is unnecessary to refer to more of these witnesses than to two of more than ordinary experience who take a very strong view of the deleterious character of hemp drugs if used to excess, but a still stronger view regarding alcohol. Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Crombie says: "I believe that the habit of using ganja moderately is absolutely harmless; but I think even the moderate use of alcohol is liable to produce tissue changes in the long run. Further, I here refer entirely to the native community; and it is my observation that when a native takes to alcohol, it is extremely difficult for him to remain moderate; and in life assurance work, of which I have a good deal, I always advise an extra premium in the case of any native who indulges in alcohol even in the most moderate way, and utterly refuse to accept a native life if there is evidence of the consumption of alcohol to any considerable extent which would still be considered moderate in the case of Europeans. My experience leads me to hold the same views of the effects of alcohol on the lower classes. A native who takes to liquor is lost. As regards the excessive use, I would still place alcohol first. I regard it as most deleterious." The only other medical man who need be quoted is Dr. H. M, Clark, a well-known Medical Missionary in the Punjab (witness No. 46), who says: "As regards charas, I think there can be no such thing as moderate use, if we mean such use as will not leave any permanent bad effect on the system. In whatever quantity it is used, it is bound to be deleterious. I should say that in this country alcohol does more harm than charas." These views are supported by distinguished native medical men like Rai Bahadur Kanny Lall Dey, C.I.E. (Bengal witness No. 117), and others.
It is not within the province of the Commission to come to any definite finding on this evidence as to the comparative effects of alcohol and hemp drugs. The effects of alcohol were not within the scope of the inquiry. As has already been stated, it is only a minority of the witnesses who make the comparison. It was not asked for in the Commission's questions, and has only been incidentally made by certain witnesses. The Commission have not felt called on to test the correctness of the views of the witnesses on this point, as this could only have been done by a full inquiry into the effects of liquor. But it is important to observe the existence of these views. In this connection it is interesting to notice the existence in certain parts of the country of a belief among ignorant persons that "the attack on hemp drugs was due to a desire to foster European liquor" (see the evidence of Mr. William Almon, Assistant Collector, Abkari Department in the town of Bombay, witness No. 38); or, as another witness puts it, "the agitation is attributed to them who are anxious to encourage the spread of alcohol, i.e., the persons who import and manufacture liquor" (V. K. Joglekar, Bombay witness No. 110). The existence of such misapprehensions can only be explained by the difficulty felt in accounting for an agitation against these drugs alone. The Rev. Mr. Laflamme (Madras witness No. 153) says: "Many are surprised to hear that the Government is concerned about a practice which is confined to so small a portion of the people as is ganja and bhang, and is not concerned about the widespread, rapidly increasing, and much more injurious habit of alcoholic drink, from which much greater harm results. I have been six years in the country, and engaged in village work during four years. Before entering on these inquiries I did not know the hemp drugs were in use among the people, and had only met with them in the temples." One witness of much experience (Khan Bahadur Kadir Dad Khan, C.I.E., Sind witness No. 4) says: "All classes of the people, from the most influential spiritual leader to the lowest beggar, will say that the British Government, while not interfering or prohibiting the use of alcohol in their own country, are stopping them here from the use of less intoxicating drugs, which they have been using from time immemorial, and which is also religiously respected."
As cerebral stimulants
Point 537 says Alcohol is a typical cerebral stimulant, and any drug which, like alcohol, increases the functional activity of the brain, may, like alcohol, give rise to what is technically known as "an intoxication." The effect of alcohol may result in three principal sets of symptoms, which are admirably set forth by Legrain (Dictionary of Psychological Medicine). (a) Taken in large amounts, in a short time it produces acute symptoms, which are immediate, but temporary—intoxication or drunkenness. (b) Alcohol if taken often and in great quantities, or if the drunkenness is nearly continuous, or if the individuals are not very strong in brain, accumulates in the organism without being at any time completely eliminated, and gives rise to acute symptoms of longer duration than mere intoxication—delirium tremens. (c) Alcohol regularly or irregularly introduced into the system for a long time in doses even short of producing immediate symptoms is known to produce general disorders and progressive lesions, characterized by weakening of the faculties and premature dementia, the ensemble of the symptoms constituting chronic alcoholism. The analogues of these chief effects of alcohol may also be traced in the symptoms induced by hemp drugs, in which we have— (a) The condition of more or less delirium with hallucinations and merriment as occurring in a person who has taken what is to him a large dose of the drug, the symptoms being only temporary— hemp drug intoxication. (b) The condition of wild frenzy, with symptoms of transitory mania occurring in a person who has systematically indulged largely in the drugs—hemp drug delirium.(c) Cases in which the drug has been used for a considerable period, and then given rise to mania of shorter or longer duration, or cases in which the symptoms of hemp drug delirium do not completely subside, but pass on into a state of mania usually curable, and thus indicating the probable absence of anatomical lesions— hemp drug mania. The evidence, though by no means clear and decisive, is perhaps sufficient to justify the presumption of an analogy such as is above indicated; and cases which have come before the Commission have seemed to divide themselves into these three classes. At the same time it must be pointed out that the sharp line of demarcation in symptoms which separates alcoholic intoxication from delirium tremens does not separate the intoxication and delirium produced by hemp drugs. Further, in regard to what has been said about hemp drug mania, it may be noted that it is not improbable, though it has not been established by evidence, that prolonged abuse of the drugs may give rise in some cases to definite brain lesions resulting in a progressive weakening of all the faculties leading to dementia.
On the mixing of the two
425 The hemp drugs are sometimes used to doctor alcoholic drinks. In the Punjab the name lutki is given to a concoction of this kind. In Baluchistan there is also said to be a drink called mudra, which is compounded of dhatura, bhang, alcohol, and opium. The drink is also known in the Punjab. In other quarters the hemp drugs are said to be smoked after drinking liquor to add to the intoxication. The evidence of the association of the hemp drugs with alcohol in these ways is fortunately scanty. The practice is probably rare, for it implies a recklessness in intemperance which is foreign to the Indian character
The figures in regard to alcohol cannot be accepted as quite satisfactory, because they have not been tested. But the tendency of the figures as they stand is to show that in the provinces where hemp drugs are the less used, alcohol is the more frequently assigned as the cause of insanity, and vice versá. It is possible either that the figures to a certain extent reflect the facts, or merely that those who have to account for insanity turn most easily to intoxicants, and came that intoxicant which most readily occurs to them.
Individual witness responses
The evidence of witnesses(not exhaustive) to question 36 are as follows:
No. It is the other way, if anything, but not very markedly. - Evidence of the HON'BLE MR. D. R. LYALL, C.S.I., Member, Board of Revenue, Calcutta
Not at present. We have increased the taxation on alcohol to such an absurd extent in the mud districts that people have taken to ganja more than they otherwise would. - Evidence of MR. E. V. WESTMACOTT, Commissioner, Presidency Division; late Commissioner of Excise, Bengal
It is, however, almost certain that the prohibition will be followed by recourse to either alcoholic stimulants or other drugs - Evidence* of MR. W. H. GRIMLEY, Commissioner of Chota Nagpur
On the other hand I have known several cases in which I was certain of the use of alcohol, and I remember for certain dismissing at least one clerk for repeated intemperance. I think I have dismissed more. I have seen many careers among my clerks wrecked through indulgence in alcohol. I am only referring to cases of natives, and these were frequently of good social position. As far as I have seen, many more cases of evil effects from alcohol than from hemp have come before me. The effects of the former seem to be more on the surface. - Evidence of MR.G .TOYNBEE, Commissioner, Bhagalpur Division
I think the people, if asked, would say that smoking ganja to any great extent was bad, but that taking bhang was much better. They would regard alcohol as worse. - Evidence of MR. H. LUTTMAN-JOHNSON, Commissioner of Dacca.
No. In Dacca I had reason to believe that the excessive raising of the price of liquor was driving drinkers to use ganja. The reverse action might take place if ganja were made sufficiently dear or were wholly unobtainable. But ganja, etc., would be certainly imported from Nepal long before this stage was reached, and it would be quite impossible to stop this with an open frontier such as we have - Evidence of MR. L. HARE, Magistrate and Collector of Muzaffarpur.
We have no reason to think so. The two drugs are cheaper than the weakest country liquor supplied to consumers. A pie worth of ganja would be more effective than one anna worth liquor. - Evidence of MR. G. E. MANISTY, Magistrate and Collector of Saran
Alcohol can't be substituted for these drugs unless it is made very cheap indeed. The present tendency is to make it dearer. - Evidence of MR. J. KENNEDY, Magistrate and Collector of Murshidabad
No; alcohol is dearer than these drugs, and is not being substituted for any of them. On the contrary alcohol is at present, on account of its dearness, finding a substitute in ganja. - Evidence of MR. F. H. BARROW, Magistrate and Collector of Bankura.
Alcohol is to a very small extent substituted for these drugs. Amongst the better classes, as stimulant, alcohol is considered superior. The use of these drugs is gradually diminishing. Tari to some extent has taken the place of ganja among the lower classes of people, for it stimulates, and at the same time satisfies hunger, although a little costly. - Evidence of the HON'BLE F. R. S. COLLIER, Magistrate and Collector, 24-Parganas.
No. In some districts the high price of distillery liquor is said to have driven the poorer consumers to the use of ganja and opium. The result, however, is not very manifest yet. In Bengal proper and Orissa the prohibition of ganja would not lead to much recourse to alcoholic stimulants, as the price of liquor is there very high and beyond the means of those who now consume ganja. There will probably be greater recourse to opium - Evidence of MR. K. G. GUPTA, Commissioner of Excise, Bengal
I do not believe that prohibition of ganja would lead to any appreciable increase in consumption of alcohol or to any increase at all in opium. I think the poor man would have to do without his stimulant. I think the expense of alcohol has to be taken into account. But the principal thing is the difference of habit. I know that a number of poor persons of the same classes as take ganja already take alcohol. But my experience is that these poor people take alcohol with a view to getting intoxicated; and they cannot get enough without paying high for it. My idea is that ganja is not used with a view to becoming intoxicated or incapacitated, but only for relief. A man says of weak liquor, "Is men nasha nahin hai"—by which I understand him to mean that there it is not strong enough to intoxicate. As to the better classes, I cannot presume to give any opinion as to whether any of them used ganja formerly and have given it up for liquor. - Evidence of MR. J. C. PRICE, Magistrate and Collector, Rajshah
I have seen evil effects of alcohol. I knew one man who cut his throat in delirium tremens. I have known several cases of the evil effects of alcohol, not many, but certainly some among natives. I cannot explain why my experience of ganja should differ from what is frequently asserted. It may be unique. But it is my experience. I have no doubt that disease and other evil things which have no sort of connection with ganja are often attributed to it. It is natural to cry down the poor man's stimulant. The rich men and leaders of society do not use it. - Evidence of MR. J. C. PRICE, Magistrate and Collector, Rajshah
You would not stop the consumption of alcohol entirely because it was once in a way used in this manner. A glass of coca wine would act better, I should say, to secure this end than any stimulant, but you would not prohibit the drinking of coca wine altogether. I have never heard of criminals inducing their victims to partake of a ganja smoke so that they might become stupefied. - Evidence of MR. J. C. PRICE, Magistrate and Collector, Rajshah
I do not think there would be any recourse to alcoholic stimulants in case of the prohibition of the use of ganja, because the influence of alcohol is so different from that of ganja. Excessive indulgence in alcohol makes a man generally noisy and boisterous. Ganja renders him quiet and sedate, sometimes morose and sullen, occasionally irritable with a decided disinclination to be disturbed. Recourse to opium would not follow, for opium is too expensive - Evidence of MR. J. C. PRICE, Magistrate and Collector, Rajshahi
No; I do not think that any one who has been in the habit of taking ganja ever takes alcohol instead. Ganja intoxication is much cheaper and any one accustomed to one form of intoxication is not likely to change it for another. - Evidence of MR. H. F. T. MAGUIRE, Magistrate and Collector of Khulna
In this district at any rate ganja is being substituted for alcohol, not alcohol for ganja. I think there is ample proof that the majority of men prefer to take some stimulant, and that the maximum of work cannot be obtained without it. There is also, I think, ample proof that the stimulant may take the place of another. The manner in which tea, coffee, and tobacco have taken the place of alcohol is a striking instance. An Excise map of India will also show that when one stimulant is not used another is, and I believe that the history of. each individual district will show that when the consumption of one is restricted another takes its place. - Evidence of MR. L. P. SHIRRES, Magistrate and Collector of Midnapur
Formerly elderly persons of the respectable class, who were ignorant of the English language and of English civilization, used to indulge in opium and charas. But the advance of English education led to an appreciation of alcoholic liquors, particularly imported liquors, and drinking became a fashionable vice. With the increase in the population and in the spread of English education the number of those who are addicted to alcoholic drinks has steadily increased. But I believe that though the number of habitual consumers of alcohol is greater than formerly, the number of drunkards, that is, of immoderate drinkers, is proportionately smaller. The habit of smoking ganja and of drinking country spirits is almost wholly confined to the lower classes of the people (Dr. Basu, Civil Surgeon, is my authority for the above). - Evidence of Mr. C. A. S. BEDFORD,* Deputy Commissioner of Manbhum
The quantity of ganja sold here in 1892-93 was 10 maunds 25 seers; the quantity sold in 1887-88 was 13 maunds 7 seers; that sold in 1888-89 was 15 maunds 6 1/2 seers. Since 1888-89 the quantity sold is almost stationary. Charas and siddhi are not sold here. Alcohol is not being substituted for ganja to any appreciable extent here. Since the abolition of the outstill system here, the quantity of liquor sold here has not varied to any great extent. The quantity sold tends to become less. It does not therefore appear to me that the use of alcohol is supplanting that of ganja. - Evidence of MR. W. MAXWELL, Sub-Divisional Officer, Jhenidah, District Jessore
When I was in charge of the Excise Department, it was my information and belief that with the rise in the duty of ganja certain lower orders of consumers of the drug betook themselves to toddy and to cheap liquor of the outstills when the latter were introduced on a large scale. The causes are dearness of ganja and cheapness of toddy and liquor. I cannot at this distance of time (my connection with the Excise Department ceased in 1880, when Sir Ashley Eden selected me for special duty at Arrah under the Public Works Department, Irrigation Branch, whence I was transferred in 1885 to my present appointment as Personal Assistant to the Commissioner, Bhagalpur) undertake to prove that the substitution really took place. - Evidence of CHUNDER NARAIN SINGH, Kayasth, Deputy Collector, at present employed as Personal Assistant to the Commissioner of the Bhagalpur Division.
Several drinkers of liquor and alcoholic spirits have been observed to betake to bhang drinking. This latter is considered not to be so much deleterious to health. I have known of several hard spirit and liquor drinkers betaking to this substitution. Bhang is a cheap drink too. - Evidence of BABU RAM CHARAN BOSE, Kayasth, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Alipur, 24-Parganas.
There is no reason to believe that alcohol is to any extent being substituted for these drugs. - Evidence of MR. E. MCL. SMITH, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Sonthal Parganas.
Yes; many people who by reason of poverty used to smoke ganja or charas have betaken themselves to the use of cheap liquor. - Evidence of BABU GOPAL CHUNDER MOOKERJEE, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Diamond Harbour
When the outstill system was reintroduced in Bengal, 1878 to 1889, and liquor was sold very cheap, many ganja consumers had to my knowledge taken to country liquor. From 1878 and 1879 as well as in subsequent years I made enquiries on the point and learnt of several such cases, and people said that country spirit was much less injurious than ganja and the change was good. With the reintroduction of distillery system from 1889, and consequent high rise in the price of country liquor, the consumption of ganja increased, and the lower classes of country spirit drinkers as well as gentlemen classes of small means have taken to ganja. - Evidence of BABU PRAN KUMAR DAS, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector and Personal Assistant to the Commissioner of Burdwan.
I don't think that alcohol is being substituted for any of these drugs. - Evidence of BABU GANENDRA NATH PAL, Kayasth, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Naogaon.
I do not think alcohol is being taken recourse to in substitution of these drugs. - Evidence of BABU BHAIRAB NATH PALIT, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Birbhum.
In higher classes alcohol is now being, to a certain extent, substituted for ganja and charas. - Evidence of BABU JOGENDRO NATH BANDYOPADHYA, Brahmin, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Jalpaiguri.
No; on the other hand, the high price of distillery liquors, and the rising price of toddy, have led several consumers to have recourse to ganja and opium; the lower classes using ganja, and the upper classes, opium. I noticed this particularly in Puri District. - Evidence of BABU MANMOHAN CHAKRAVARTI, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Jajpur, Cuttack, Orissa.
1 have seen no instance of foregoing ganja, charas, or bhang for the adoption of liquor, and have no reason to believe that such a tendency of substitution of liquor for drug exists. I am aware of instances, though rare, of the same person taking liquor, bhang, and opium. - Evidence of BABU NAVAKUMAR CHAKRAVARTI, Brahmin, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Jangipur, Murshidabad.
Alcohol finds greater favour with the well to-do classes of artizans and labourers. Even amongst some of the more advanced of the middle classes of Lower Bengal, whose forefathers were content with a chillum of ganja or a dose of opium, there are many who, if they can afford the expense, would take liquor, and imported liquor in special, as more heroic. - Evidence of BABU HIRA LALL BANERJEE, Brahmin, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Monghyr.
Rather the reverse is the case for ganja; the reason is the comparatively smaller cost at which a ganja smoker can get himself intoxicated. One pice worth of ganja is supposed to give greater intoxication than four pice worth of outstill liquor. Many have given up liquor and taken to ganja - Evidence of MAULAVI ABDUS SAMAD, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Purulia, Manbhum.
Alcohol is to a very small extent substituted for these drugs amongst the better classes. As a stimulant, alcohol is considered as superior. The use of these drugs is gradually diminishing. Tari to some extent has taken the place of ganja among the lower class of people, for it stimulates and at the same time satisfies hunger, although a little costly - Evidence of BABU GUNGADHAR GHOSE, Excise Deputy Collector, 24-Parganas
There is no reason to believe that alcohol is used in lieu of these drugs, because the latter are cheaper. - Evidence of BABU PROKASH CHUNDER ROY, Excise Deputy Collector, Patna.
Cases are found where for the high prices of ganja a few persons have abandoned it and taken to liquor. I have found specific instances of this in some localities. - Evidence of BABU SURENDRANATH MOZOOMDAR, Brahmin, Special Excise Deputy Collector, Monghyr.
Yes, among the higher strata of society in Lower Bengal. This is due to the fact that the habit of ganja-smoking is considered as degrading and humiliating, while that of drinking is literally believed to be ennobling among the half educated classes. Besides, there is a difference in the nature of the intoxication produced by ganja and liquor. Ganja never produces that exuberance of animality that is produced by liquor, and young, well-to-do people delight in this state of intoxication. People who have taken both ganja and liquor say that since the outstill system was established there has been very little difference in the amount of intoxication purchasable for one anna as between ganja liquor, and yet the intoxication of liquor is of a superior kind. The proof is that I have known personally some two dozen men who have given up ganja for country liquor. - Evidence of BABU A. K. RAY, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Bangaon, Jessore District.
There is no reason for thinking that alcohol is now being to a certain extent substituted by the masses for ganja, bhang, or charas. On the contrary, people have taken to drinking bhang and smoking ganja on account of increase in the retail selling price of distillery liquor (a bottle of liquor is sold at not less than Re. 1 in any of the distillery districts). Ganja is now smoked by the poor people as a substitute for liquor. Some people smoke ganja to intensify the intoxication caused by alcohol. They call it "double chabuk;" it gives extra intoxicating impetus. - Evidence of BABU ABHILAS CHANDRA MUKERJEE, Brahmin, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, on deputation as 2nd Inspector of Excise, Bengal.
I do not think there is any reason to believe that such is the case. Before the introduction of the now existing Sudder distillery system such a complaint used to be raised in some quarters, but there was never any attempt to prove this by details of statistics about consumption. Since the introduction of the Sudder distillery system in the Dacca, Burdwan, Presidency, and the Orissa Divisions, the general complaints from several districts of these divisions have been that, owing to the increased price of distillery liquor, people have taken to ganja smoking. As regards the divisions where the outstill system is still in force, it is true that no complaint of increased ganja smoking has come, but at the same time neither has any complaint been made that ganja has any where been abandoned in favour of alcohol. The fluctuations in the consumption of liquor and also of ganja have been due to other causes. Statistics about the consumption of liquor in places where the outstill system is in force are unfortunately not available in the published reports. Consequently it is not possible to ascertain whether increased consumption in liquor has been followed by a decreased consumption in ganja. In the Bengal Excise Administration Report for 1891-92, however, the consumption of outstill liquor in the Rajshahi Division with the districts of Malda and Purnea, where the outstill system only is in force, has been given for four years from 1888-89 to 1891-92 (see page 18). Figures for the first three of these years are also given at page 18-20 of the previous year's report. It is most embarrassing to find that the two sets of figures are wholly discrepant, and there is nothing to indicate which of them are correct. Taking, however, the later figures to be correct, it is possible to put them side by side with the consumption of ganja in these districts for the corresponding years, and thus ascertain whether increased consumption of the one has been accompanied by decreased consumption of the other. In doing this, however, we must note, as I have already pointed out, that a seer of flat and a seer of round ganja contains about 1 2/16 and 1 5/16 parts respectively of real ganja, and the remaining parts of useless wood. We must, therefore, take into account this difference, and in expressing the consumption of ganja, flat and round ganja consumption must be reduced to the chur kind on the basis of these proportions. Making these calculations, we have the consumption of ganja and liquor for Rajshahi Division with Malda and Purnea as follows:— 1888-89. 1889-90. 1890-91. 1891-92. Country spirits in gallons 4 P. 174,043 170,747 187,785 176,998 Ganja in Maunds. 840 812 829 737
From the above we see that increased consumption in liquor has been accompanied by increased and not decreased consumption of ganja, and vice versá; decreased consumption of liquor has been accompanied by decreased consumption in ganja. The figures, therefore, negative the inference that ganja has been abandoned in favour of liquor. They point out that the fluctuations are due to causes which affect equally the consumers of both these articles, such as general prosperity or adversity of the people. - Evidence of BABU GOBIND CHANDRA DAS, Baidya, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Malda.
There is every reason to think that alcohol is to a certain extent being substituted for hemp drugs. Using alcoholic drinks is considered to be more respectable than smoking ganja or charas or drinking bhang. The use of ganja compels the consumer to use many other things such as milk, while the use of liquor does not require any other thing. Hence drinking liquor is considered to be more easy than consuming ganja, charas or siddhi. By making local enquiry, I have found that several consumers of hemp drugs have taken to drinking alcohol. - Evidence of BABU SURESH CHUNDRA BAL, Baidya, Special Excise Deputy Collector, Howrah.
For the reason above stated, that the bulk of the consumers from this religious notion consider alcohol as a forbidden drink, and also from the statistics relating to the consumption of ganja during the last many years, I think,—nay I am certain—that alcohol is not being substituted for any of these drugs, charas not being used, and bhang very little. - Evidence of BABU ROY BRAHMA DUTT, * Kayasth, Excise Deputy Collector, Darbhanga.
The poorer class who under the outstill system in this district used to consume alcohol are now having recourse to ganja. - Evidence of BABU BANKU BEHARI DUTT, Excise Deputy Collector, Backergunge.
Ganja is now rarely taken by the middle classes of the people, as it is considered more injurious than alcohol, and, in fact, ganja-smoking is looked upon by them with contempt and degrading to the society. Lower class people scarcely substitute it for alcohol; in the first place, the latter is more expensive; and, secondly, it is not suited to their taste. - Evidence of BABU RASIK LAL GHOSE, Court of Wards' Manager, Dinajpur.
Alcohol is certainly not resorted to as a substitute; but it is one of the pernicious evils that western civilization has introduced into the country, with the result that nearly the whole of the aristocracy and mediocracy ranks have been thinned. In Calcutta alone almost all the biggest houses have fallen a prey to the ravages of alcohol. Whatever be the motive of the so-called philanthropists who have originated this enquiry, the impression has already got abroad that the ulterior motive of Government is to increase the revenue by supplanting the narcotics by the introduction of liquor - Evidence of BABU GOUR DAS BYSACK, Retired Deputy Collector, Calcutta.
I have heard the contrary asserted, i. e., that when the supply of spirits is checked resort is had to ganja. - Evidence of MR. W. M. SMITH, Retired Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Sonthal Parganas.
Alcohol has to some extent taken the place of the hemp drug, as the people are imbibing a taste for the former intoxicant. - Evidence of BABU JOGENDRA NATH MOZUMDAR, Brahmin, Deputy Inspector of Excise, Darjeeling.
I believe alcohol has to some extent superseded the use of siddhi and charas amongst the better classes. I attribute this because as stimulant alcohol is considered to be superior to both. The use of these drugs is gradually diminishing among the upper classes. For instance, on the last day of Durga Puja, siddhi is not generally taken, but instead of it some youngsters take liquor. Tari to some extent has taken the place of ganja among lower class of people, for it stimulates and at the same time satisfies hunger, although little costly - Evidence of BABU DIGENDRA NATH PAL, Kayasth, Deputy Inspector of Excise, 24-Parganas.
The occasional smokers may take to cheap liquor; but it would never be the case with habitual smokers, who indulge in it as a matter of necessity and not as a matter of pleasure as with the others. - Evidence of MR. F. H. TUCKER, District Superintendent of Police, Dinajpur.
I do not think alcohol is now to any extent substituted for any of these drugs. On the other hand, I believe that this drug is taken instead of alcohol, which is more costly and less easily procured. - Evidence of MR. R. L. WARD, District Superintendent of Police, Rajshahi.
Alcohol in certain places has been substituted for ganja, but such substitution is very few, as smokers very seldom rise to position and society. - Evidence of BABU MATHURA MOHAN SIRKAR, Inspector of Police, Jhenida, District Jessore.
I don't think so, for ganja-smokers and bhang-consumers have a particular aversion to alcohol. - Evidence of Mr. W. R. RICKETTS,* Manager, Nilgiri State, Tributary Mahals, Orissa.
There is reason to think that to a certain extent alcohol has been substituted for these drugs. This is due to a desire on the part of the people to imitate the Western nations. The proof is to be found in the decrease of the consumption of these drugs and an increase in the consumption of alcohol - Evidence of BABU JADUB CHANDRA CHUCKERBUTTY, Brahmin, Civil and Sessions Judge, Kuch Behar.
Yes; to a certain extent. The cause I attribute is the spread of English education, civilisation, and spirituous liquor shops throughout the length and breadth of the country. - Evidence of BABU SREENATH CHATTERJEE, Brahmin, Cashier, Public Works Department, Darjeeling Division.
I have already stated that people of the bhadralok class, or those who have got the means or can afford it, are gradually dropping the drug for the sake of the alcoholic drink, not because that they have been discriminating between the effects of the two, but because of the two the alcoholic drink is fashionable, and has a kind of eclât attached to it which the indigenous drug has not. The tinkling of glass, the sparkling of liquor, and the dish of fruits displayed on a table with ice and sodawater has not only a European look about it, but is quite so decent, so neat, and so nice. Compare the above scene with a couple of lotas, a thick stick and a sandstone bowl, the paraphernalia of a bhang-drinker; or if the consumer has a luxurious inclination, his luxury culminates in the addition to the drug of a handful of sugar and a cupful of milk, the total cost of all which never exceeds the value of a bumper toast. Of the ganja-smoker, his greatest luxury consists in soaking the ganja for about an hour or so in a little rose-water. The chillum, the little earthen funnel-shaped utensil, remains all the same, a millionaire draws his puff of blue smoke or a faqir finishes his pull by a flash from the chillum. The second cause of this alcoholic substitute is the greater accessibility of the article. Retail shops of alcoholic liquors have been opened almost in every quarter, and the article has been brought temptingly to the door of the buyer. - Evidence of BABU PRATAPCHANDRA GHOSHA, Registrar of Calcutta.
I do not think so, certainly not in the mufassal. Whether it is so in large towns, such as Calcutta, I can't say. Many orthodox Hindus who use bhang would never touch alcohol. - Evidence of SURGEON-LIEUTENANT-COLONEL W. FLOOD MURRAY, Civil Surgeon, Shahabad.
No, I have not heard that such is the case. I have heard of cases, where men formerly in the habit of consuming bazar liquor, have taken to the smoking of ganja, owing to the removal of distilleries from their neighbourhood, and the consequent rise in the price of bazar liquor. - Evidence of SURGEON-LIEUTENANT-COLONEL G. PRICE, Civil Surgeon, Burdwan.
The drugs are cheaper than alcoholic beverages, and are never replaced by alcohol. On the contrary, those drugs are sometimes used when people cannot afford to pay for alcoholic drinks. - Evidence of Assistant Surgeon RAI TARAPROSANNA RAI BAHADUR, Baidya, Chemical Examiner to the Government of Bengal, Calcutta.
Hemp is generally substituted for alcohol as being cheaper and less disastrous to society. - Evidence of RAI BAHADUR KANNY LOLL DEY, C.I.E., late Chemical Examiner to the Government of Bengal, Calcutta.
No, because alcohol is more expensive. - Evidence of Assistant Surgeon CHOONEY LALL DASS, Teacher of Medical Jurisprudence and Therapeutics, Medical School, Dacca.
There is no reason for thinking that alcohol is now being to a certain extent substituted for any of these drug - Evidence of ASSISTANT SURGEON AKBAR KHAN, Teacher, Temple Medical School, Patna.
In India bhang and ganja were the principal intoxicants from time immemorial. These have been, to a certain extent, replaced by wine owing to (1) high duty on hemp, (2) cheap outstill wine, (3) import of European wines. The import of European liquor has been the cause of diminishing the use of hemp and of increasing the use of alcohol in Bengal and Behar. - Evidence of Assistant Surgeon SOORJEE NARAIN SINGH, Kayasth, Bankipur.
I do not think that alcohol is being substituted at present for any of these drugs. - Evidence of Assistant Surgeon BEHARI LAL PAL, Sadgop, Krishnagar, Nadia.
If the leisured classes get employments for their vacant hours (and the struggle for life is getting keener day by day to leave none an unoccupied hour now); if the poverty-stricken labouring people get enough to eat for strength to undergo the hard work without being under the necessity of using their reserved force brought forth by a stimulant; if the criminal classes are to be checked from their acts of violence and terror; the use of the drug (ganja) may be prohibited without risking anything whatever. The religious mendicants really do not need it, and many of the mendicants are but the deep-dyed criminals in disguise. If the whole class is suppressed, society would not be the worse for it - Evidence of Assistant Surgeon HARI MOHAN SEN, Baidya, Chittagong.
No; its price has rather induced some to try ganja as the cheaper form of intoxication. A man accustomed to intoxication will in desperation fly to any nervine stimulant that he can get, whether liquor, ganja or opium. It is the hunger of the nervous system for its accustomed stimulation. - Evidence of REV. D. MORISON, M.B., C.M., M.D., Medical Missionary, Rampur Boalia.
Rather alcohol is being substituted by these drugs owing to the greater price of the former. - Evidence of PYARI SANKAR DASS GUPTA, Baidya, Medical Practitioner, Secretary, Bogra Medical Society, Bogra.
I do not know, nor have ever heard of alcohol being used as a substitute for any of these drugs. - Evidence of MOHIM CHUNDER, ROY, BRAHMIN, Medical Practitioner, Nator, Rajshahi.
Amongst the low-caste people I do not know whether alcohol is supplanting ganja; but I know this, that many ganja-smokers drink country liquor as well. Amongst the Bhadralok class ganja always leads a small number of votaries; and that number, I think, has diminished still further; there are more persons addicted to drinking liquor than to smoking ganja. I think the reason is partly cheapness of liquor and partly because it is easily get-at-able. But the principal reason appears to me to be the fashion of the day. - Evidence of KEDARESWAR ACHARJYA, Brahmin, Medical Practitioner, Rampur Boalia.
I am not aware of alcohol being used as a substitute for hemp; nor do I think it ever likely of its being so used. - Evidence of MOHES CHUNDER GHOSE, G.M.C.B., Kayasth, Medical Practitioner, Ramnagar, 24-Parganas.
On account of the opening of distilleries all over the country, liquor is taking the place of these drugs. The causes are (1) its cheapness, (2) of its being more readily available, and (3) of its being more intoxicant. - Evidence of TRAILOKYA NATH MAJUMDAR,* Baidya, Medical Practitioner, Bankipur.
Yes; alcohol is to a certain extent substituted for ganja and charas, and the change is to be attributed to fashion. - Evidence of PRASAD DAS MALLIK, Subarnabanik, Medical Practitioner, Hughli.
Alcohol is not substituted for ganja, charas or bhang, because alcohol is dearer, and the smokers being the poorer classes of the land - Evidence of NIMAI CHARAN DAS,* Vaidya, Medical Practitioner, Chittagong.
I find no reason for thinking that alcohol is now being to some extent substituted for any of these drugs. The use of the drugs is most generally prevalent among the lower class of people, who cannot afford to pay for the luxury of drinking alcohol in any form. - Evidence of TARA NATH BAL, Kayasth, Medical Practitioner, Mymensingh.
Yes. Alcohol is substituted in some cases by ganja or bhang, alcohol being dearer than the other ingredient. The consumers of alcohol have recourse to the latter substances. - Evidence of NOCOOR CHANDER BANERJI, Brahmin, Medical Practitioner, Bhagalpur.
No. Alcohol is not substituted for these drugs. Hemp is specially used by the lower-class people and scarcely by the gentlemen of the present time. People smoke hemp, etc., only to satisfy their carnal desire, which cannot be equally done by alcohol - Evidence of LUCKHMY NARAIN NAIK, Mahanyak, Medical Practitioner, Cuttack.
Yes; alcohol is to a certain extent substituted for these drugs. The reason for this change is attributed to the fact that it is more fashionable. My own experience is the proof of this change. - Evidence of GURU CHARAN GHOSH, Medical Practitioner, Monghyr.
Ganja smoking is very common among the common people here. Alcohol is generally taken by middle and higher class people. Some class of common people, such as Bagdis and Modbais, etc., take alcohol and ganja both. I don't know why one is substituted for another. The higher expense of alcohol plays most likely a part in it. - Evidence of DURGA NATH CHAKRAVARTI, Brahmin, in charge of Tangail Dispensary, Mymensingh.
I have no reason to think that alcohol is now at all being substituted for any of these drugs. On the other hand, I know several instances of persons addicted to the use of alcohol, who have altogether given it up, and as an alternative, taken to the use of ganja or bhang. - Evidence of GOPEZE MOHUN ROY, Baidya, Kabiraj, Calcutta
Yes, as far as I have heard, I have reason to believe that alcohol is now being substituted to a certain extent for these drugs. But, as my information is hearsay, I cannot attribute any cause for this change; neither can I cite any proof. I merely state my information for what it is worth - Evidence of PIYARI MOHAN KAVIRAJ, Vaidya, Native Physician, Calcutta.
I have no reason to think that alcohol is now being substituted for any of these drugs. Habitual drunkards of alcohol, in order to break off the habit, resort to the use of these drugs - Evidence of BINOD LAL SEN,† Baidya, Kaviraj, Calcutta.
I have not seen whether alcohol is now to a certain extent being substituted for any of these drugs, nor do I find any special reason for thinking this to be so. I have said above that unless the intoxicating power of different drugs be different, why should a man be addicted to the use of all these drugs and alcohol as well. If the effect of any one of these drugs and alcohol had been the same, he might have been satisfied with the use of any one of them. Hence it is evident that these drugs and spirits have their separate effect each. So I cannot say whether the decrease of ganja consumption will occasion any increase in the consumption of spirit. But it is not impossible for a man of bad character to have recourse to any intoxicant. - Evidence* of RAM CHANDER GOOPTA, Kabiraj, Barisal, Backergunge District.
If alcohol means anything but wine, it is unreasonable to think that these drugs are substituted by it, because the alcohol is more expensive than any of these drugs, and the country is becoming poor. Among lower classes there are persons who, previously though in the habit of using these drugs, have become addicted to alcohol on account of their sudden rise to affluence in the scale of society. The use of wine is a better luxury, though medically never less injurious than any of these drugs, but people who are addicted to the use of these drugs never dream to use wine on account of their poverty. Most probably the habit of using these drugs spread among the people during the Muhammadam rule not on account of poverty of the people, but simply because the Muhammadan government, good or bad, prohibited the manufacture and use of it, except in very very exceptional and rare cases. Be it known that among the thirty-five crores of Hindu population, if there might be one crore people who are in the habit of using any of these drugs, there might be more than forty lakhs who cannot even touch alcohol on account of religious prohibition. - Evidence of BRAHAM DEO NARAIN MISRA, Vaid, Arrah.
I have no reason to think that alcohol is now being to a certain extent substituted for any of these drugs. On the contrary, alcohol drinkers are seen to advert to these drugs. - Evidence of MADHAB K. DAS, Kayasth, Private Practitioner, Calcutta.
Far from alcohol being used as a substitute for hemp, people readily use hemp as a substitute for alcohol. It is cheaper, and is believed to be not so injurious to health and ruinous to the individuals. - Evidence of RAJA PEARY MOHUN MUKERJI, C.S.I., Zamindar, Uttarpara, Hughli.
I believe that alcohol is now rather being substituted by, than for, ganja and bhang. Alcohol is not suited to the constitution of the people of this country owing, perhaps, to their poor diet and the sultry climate. - Evidence of MAHARAJA GIRIJANATH ROY BAHADUR, Kayasth, Zamindar, Dinajpur.
I do not think there is any reason to believe that alcohol is now substituted for any of these drugs. As these drugs are generally used by the poor people, the price of the alcohol being higher, they cannot afford to buy it. But these drugs are sometimes substituted for alcohol - Evidence of RAJA MAHIMA RANJAN ROY CHOWDHRY, Zamindar, Kakina, Rangpur.
Yes, I think that alcohol is now being to a certain extent substituted for ganja and bhang. The cause may be attributed to the luxurious habit which the people are acquiring after the Western civilization, which I think they mistake to understand. - Evidence of RAI BAHADUR RADHA BALLAV CHOWDHURI, BAIDYA, Honorary Magistrate and Zamindar, Sherpur Town, Mymensingh District.
Yes, there is sufficient reason for thinking that alcohol is now being substituted for these drugs. The alcohol has got free access to almost every house in the country either openly or privately. Ganja addas or assembly of ganja consumers are gradually decreasing. On merry. making occasions old class of people used to drink bhang for pleasure's sake, but among the young men, certainly there are good many honourable exceptions, now alcohol is being used freely, in some places it has become a necessary item for big occasions such as celebration of marriage, etc. - Evidence of BABU HARI KRISHNA MAZUMDAR, Baidya, Zamindar, Islampur, District Murshidabad.
No. But the fact is this that the greater number of the consumers of bhang and ganja are among those castes who do not have recourse to alcohol on account of prohibitive caste rules. - Evidence of BABU RAGHUNANDAN PRASAD SINHA, Brahman, Zamindar, District Muzaffarpur.
These drugs are replacing alcohol to a certain extent. The rise in the price of distillery liquors, in consequence of the abolition of the outstill system, is mainly the reason of the poorer classes resorting to some of these drugs more largely than before. Amongst the well-to-do classes, their sad experience of the baneful effects of alcohol in this country, is chiefly the cause of giving up liquor for bhang or ganja. As a proof of what I have stated, I might mention the increasing sale of these drugs. - Evidence of BABU SURENDRA NATH PAL CHOWDHURY, Zamindar, Ranaghat, District Nadia.
Lower class people now-a-days indulge in drinking country wine to a greater extent than formerly. I think the increase of wages is one of the causes. - Evidence of BABU RADHIKA CHURN SEN, Kayasth, Zamindar, Berhampur.
I believe so, and I attribute the fact to the growing fashion among the English educated classes of indulgence in alcoholic stimulants. Alcohol is now much more consumed in an illicit manner by members of classes to whom its use is socially or religiously prohibited than was the case fifteen years ago. Numerically such consumers may be very small, but the fact is there all the same, and indicates that while Western education has the tendency to obliterate ancient customs and many social restraints as superstitious, it does not always provide healthy substitutes for them. - Evidence of BABU RUGHU NANDAN PRASADHA, Zamindar, Patna.
To a certain extent alcoholic stimulants have been substituted for these drugs, as ganjasmoking is considered as an ignoble habit of the low people. People are also prone to the fashion of the time. Among alcoholic drinkers, those that drink European liquors are regarded more dignified than country wine consumers. - Evidence of BABU JAGAT KISHOR ACHARJEA CHAUDHURI, Brahmin, Zamindar, Muktagacha, District Mymensingh.
I am not of opinion that alcohol is now more used as a substitute for any of these drugs. On the other hand, drinking is now looked upon as more expensive and is not harmless. - Evidence of BABU KRISHNA CHANDRA RAI, Baidya, Government Pensioner and Zamindar, District Dacca.
Yes, now-a-days alcohol is substituted to a great extent by low class labourers instead of ganja. The cause I attribute to the open trade of alcohol and its stimulant power when drunk. Labourers feel refreshed after hard toil, when drunk a little. The rich also mostly use alcohol instead of ganja. The reason is as above. The free trade of alcohol and its being had everywhere is the cause of substitution - Evidence of SYAD ABDUL JABBAR, Zamindar, Commilla, Tippera.
Yes; the cause is apparently Western civilisation. Large numbers of grog shops is the proof. - Evidence of BABU JOGENDRA KISHORE RAI CHAUDHURI, Zamindar, Ramgopalpur, District Mymensingh.
No. Hemp has no connection with the alcoholic stimulants. - Evidence of BABU KALI PRASAD SINGH, Rajput, Zamindar, District Bhagalpur.
I don't think this is the case. For intoxicating purposes these drugs are cheaper than alcoholic stimulants, even though their effect is not probably so lasting. - Evidence of MR. L. H. MYLNE, Zamindar and Indigo-planter, Justice of the Peace, President of Independent Bench of Honorary Magistrates, Chairman of Jugdispur Municipality, District Shahabad.
I do not think alcohol is being substituted for these drugs. The use of alcohol amongst the Nepalese is a curse. This cannot be said of the use of the hemp drug. - Evidence of MR. JOHN D. GWILT, Tea Planter, Longview Company, Limited, Darjeeling.
Yes, there is some reason. These drugs are generally used by people belonging to low class, and they are looked upon as dregs of seciety. But nowadays persons who have some status in society, and who are reputed to be men of education and culture, are found to drink liquors without any censure from the general public, provided they remain within proper bounds. This opinion of the age induces certain persons to substitute alcohol for these drugs. Formerly Muhammadans, as a rule, and person of other castes used to be excommunicated for the vice of drinking; but at present the Muhammadan and such other societies have learnt, seeing the tendency of the age, to overlook these vices and to indulge in them. - Evidence of BABU SASI BHUSAN ROY, Manager, Dubalhati Raj Estate, Rajshahi District.
Mostly a question of price. If consumers can get intoxicated more cheaply on liquor, they will probably drift to that. Intoxication is the goal aimed at, and money is scarce. - Evidence of the REVD. W. B. PHILLIPS, Missionary, London Missionary Society, Calcutta.
The prohibition cannot be followed by recourse to alcoholic stimulants in the case of Vaisbnavas and Nanaksahis, who may, as a last resort, take to opium, though it is hated at present by many. - Evidence of BABU PURNENDU NARAYAN SINHA, Kayasth, Pleader and Zamindar, Bankipur, District Patna.
There is good reason for thinking that cheap alcohol has replaced ganja and charas to a considerable extent. I am aware of people formerly addicted to the above drugs taking to alcohol drinking. - Evidence of BABU MAHENDRA CHANDRA MITRA, Kayasth, Pleader, Honorary Magistrate, and Municipal Chairman, Naihati, 24-Parganas.
Yes, liquor is being used among well-to-do classes. Yes, because it is not considered disreputable - Evidence of PUNDIT RAKHAL CHUNDER TEWARY, Brahmin, Pleader and Honorary Magistrate, Diamond Harbour, 24-Parganas.
There is reason to think so. Alcohol is being substituted more or less for other drugs. The cause for this change is principally imitation of European habits. Alcohol is fashionable and is considered a civilized intoxicant. - Evidence of BABU SASADHAR ROY, Brahmin, Pleader and Honorary Magistrate, Rajshahi,
No; alcohol would not be substituted for the drugs, unless the price would be cheaper. At present the drugs can be had at a cheaper price than alcohol. - Evidence of BABU JADUNATH KANJILAL, Brahmin, Pleader, Judge's Court, Hughli.
No, they use these drugs, and will use them. Liquor is used as a luxury by those who can afford the expense. I have seen many people who, to get rid of opium, began to take liquor; but the result has been that they use both. Many topers use opium to avoid the craving for wine. Some succeed; but the majority get addicted to both, though a man taking opium cannot drink to excess. Do not imagine that because a ganja smoker or opium eater or smoker takes wine he gives up these drugs. On the contrary, those that can afford the expense invariably smoke ganja after finishing their cups. They call this smoking chabuk (whip) - Evidence of BABU BEPRODAS BANERJEE,* Brahman, Pleader, Newspaper Editor, and Chairman, Baraset Municipality.
Any of these drugs is not substituted for alcohol. I don't think there has been any change. I think the latter dearer than former. - Evidence of BABU NOBO GOPAL BOSE RAI CHOWDHOORY, Kayasth, Talukdar and Judge's Court Pleader (late Munsiff of Nator), Memari, Burdwan District.
I am of opinion that certain people are born with a propensity for stimulants. Bad company only serves to give it an impetus. Those who would drink wine would not care for ganja, charas or siddhi. But those who have religious prejudices or fear the social ban, take to ganja, etc. These people would never drink wine, even though ganja be prohibited. Religious scepticism or unbelief has caused to a certain extent the substitution of alcohol for these drugs. The lower classes of the people who are not Hindus take to wine, because a few pice spent on wine would cause them more intoxication and hilarity than ganja, charas, etc., and wine is not prohibited to them. These lower people are neither Hindus, Muhammadans nor Christians. They are the aborigines and often nondescripts. - Evidence of BABU ABINAS CHANDRADASS, M. A., B. L., Pleader, Judge's Court, Bankura.
Among the higher classes of people alcohol has to a large extent taken the place of ganja. This is due to the introduction of Western civilization in our society as well as to the outstill system, which has placed liquor within easy reach of every body. That the use of alcohol is really on the increase is evidenced by the fact that liquor shops are now a days to be seen scattered broadcast over the country not excepting even the remote and outlying mufassal stations. - Evidence of BABU MOHINI MOHAN BURDHAN, Kayasth, District Government Pleader of Tippera.
It is sometimes observed that when people are compelled under pressure to abandon the use of any of these drugs, they avail themselves of the earliest opportunity to take alcohol as a substitute. It is the craving of their artificial system, brought on by long use of these narcotics, that lead them always to search for some stimulant. Fancy also leads not a few to court such changes. - Evidence of BABU AMVIKA CHARAN MAZUMDAR,* Vaidya, Pleader and Zamindar, Faridpur.
There is reason for thinking that alcohol is now being to a certain extent substituted for both ganja and bhang. I would attribute this change to the following causes:— 1st.—Introduction of the outstill system. 2nd.—Increased duty levied on ganja. There are people who are now using spirits purchased cheap from outstills who formerly used to smoke ganja obtained at a low price. - Evidence of BABU BHUVAN MOHUN SANYAL, Brahmin, Government Pleader, Purnea.
I believe so, as the use of alcoholic stimulants is gaining ground as the trammels of superstitions and prejudice are being shaken off under the influence of English education, and although at present wine is used illicitly by those to whom the use is prohibited by religion, social restraints are being gradually removed. - Evidence of BABU JADUBANS SSHAI, Pleader and Vice-Chairman, Arrah Municipality.
None at all, and it is not likely, because alcohol is too expensive and forbidden by Hindu religion. On the contrary, some persons resort to hemp drugs to give up liquor-drinking. - Evidence of BABU GOWREE SUNKER ROY,* Kayasth, Secretary, Cuttack Printing Company, Cuttack.
Far from alcohol being used as a substitute for hemp, people readily use hemp as a substitute for alcohol. It is cheaper and is believed to be not so injurious to health and ruinous to the individuals. However, it must be admitted that it is difficult to say whether a man who has contracted a habit of taking strong stimulants every day, when forced to give up his usual allowance of bhang or ganja, will not run to the use of alcoholic drinks even at the sacrifice of his religious convictions. - Evidence of RAI BAHADUR RAJ KUMAR SARVADHIKARI, Secretary, British Indian Association, Calcutta.
That alcohol has now-a-days displaced ganja and charas to some extent and bhang to a large extent, is mainly due to the change of habits of life of the people with the change of times. Even an illiterate man of these days tries and aspires to copy his superiors, and the example of the higher class is thus gradually penetrating the lower strata of society. Ganja is a disreputable drug; its use in this country has always been associated with crimes and misdemeanors; indulgence in this drug is generally regarded as a low habit. Against all these stands its extreme cheapness as the only recommendation of ganja to the poor people. It is poverty which binds them down to ganja, and the moment a man of dissipated habit earns enough to pay for an alcoholic drink, he eagerly begins to copy his superiors. This natural tendency finds a ready satisfaction if the votary gets richer than before or if the price of alcoholic drink is brought down within his means. The cheap liquor of the outstill having supplied one of these conditions, ganja begins to decline in a perceptible degree It was not uncommon to find the use of ganja still lingering among some of the middle classes so long as the price of alcoholic drinks was high, but with the introduction of cheap liquor, ganja has wholly been discarded by the middle class. During the Muharram and Holi festivals, a few years ago, ganja smoking used to be noticed to a large extent, but we find on such occasions now more signs of drunkenness with alcohol than with ganja or bhang. Chapter VI. Note.—Most of the answers to the questions in this chapter refer to matters of hearsay. It is very difficult to obtain accurate information on these points. I shall refer to authorities consulted and cases observed by me as well as by many other persons whom I had the benefit of consulting. - Evidence of BABU AKSHAY KUMAR MAITRA,* Secretary, Rajshahi Association, Pleader, Judge's Court, Member, Rajshahi District Board, Commissioner, Rampur Boalia Municipality.
Yes; and I attribute this to the newness and relish of the foreign importation of alcoholic drinks. I have had instances of some of my acquaintances falling into this error. - Evidence of BABU NITYA NANDA ROY, Teli, Merchant and Zamindar, Chittagong.
No; not known to me. This is a mere surmise. It may be so in rural tracts under the distillery system. - Evidence of BABU NOBIN CAHNDRA SARKAR, Kayasth, Wholesale and retail vendor of ganja and bhang, Barisal.
Yes; alcohol has, in certain extent, substituted for these drugs, specially to the higher English-knowing middle classes, simply to imitate English habits - Evidence of BABU MAHENDRA NATH ROY, of Santa, Jessore
We cannot, of course, furnish any statistics; but our impression is that, notwithstanding the permission to grow and use the drugs, the use of alcohol is on its increase. A common consumer would require at least one anna for ganja; but for the same price a larger quantity of alcohol can be had, and that would be much more intoxicating. Its prohibition would affect, as stated above, the sanyasis and those who cannot use alcohol, and this proportion is much less than those who may indulge in any other drug or alcohol. - Evidence of the DISTRICT BOARD, Patna.
Yes; cheap outstill liquor has attracted ganja-smokers in many cases. - Evidence of the DISTRICT BOARD, Mymensingh (Sub-Committee).
No, except perhaps among the superior classes of Bengalis who can afford to buy spirits in place of ganja. - Evidence of MR. G. GODFREY, Commissioner, Assam Valley Districts.
I do not think that alcohol is taking the place of hemp. Hemp is still a much cheaper mode of getting intoxicated. - Evidence of MR. J. D. ANDERSON, Deputy Commissioner; Officiating Commissioner of Excise.
The consumption of alcohol is, I fear, on the increase. But I cannot say whether it is being substituted for hemp drugs. - Evidence of MR. E. A. GAIT, Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Assam.
No; the relative price of alcohol and ganja will affect their consumption. Ganja smokers sometimes indulge in liquor as a treat. - Evidence of MR. C. W. E. PITTAR, Officiating Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup
Yes. Causes are imitation and the slight narcotic effects produced by alcohol - Evidence of DR. H. A. MACLEOD, Civil Medical Officer, Garo Hills.
No; they must take the same drug to which they are accustomed; otherwise some disease may be produced for the time being. - Evidence of AZHER HOSSEIN, Hospital Assistant, Gauhati.
In rare cases in which excessive consumers, being laid up with some sort of disease or other arising from the excessive consumption of this drug, had to take alcohol in substitution of ganja by way of refreshment. - Evidence of LATCHMAN PERSHAD, Kayasth, Hospital Assistant, Manipur State.
I know of one or two cases in which ganja or bhang has been substituted for alcohol, the latter being more expensive; but I am not aware of a single instance in which alcohol has been substituted for ganja. Ganja smoking is looked upon by the middle and higher classes as a degradation, and it is naturally confined to the lower classes, and as they can hardly afford the cost of alcohol they scarcely choose to change the habit - Evidence of PROSUNNO KOOMAR DAS, Baidya, Medical Practitioner, Silchar, Cachar.
Siddhi, in days gone by, used to be drunk by the upper and middle classes, who having now been saturated with Western civilization find alcohol a better substitute. - Evidence of KRISHNA CHANDRA SANYAL,* Brahmin, Medical Practitioner, Sylhet.
Coolies seem to take more alcohol the richer they get, but not as a substitute for ganja. - Evidence of Mr. ALFRED SPICER,† Tea Planter, Pathecherra, Cachar.
As far as my experience goes, the tendency of the people to indulge in liquor has become very great at the present time, but I do not think that the people take to it as a substitute for the drug (ganja). - Evidence of BABU ABANTINATH DATTA, Kayastha, Pleader, Judge's Court, Cachar
The ganja-smokers have generally an aversion to liquor-drinking. Alcohol-drinking is gradually increasing no doubt, but I do not think that it is being substituted for ganja or bhang. - Evidence of BISHUN CHANDRA CHATTOPADHAY, Pleader, Dhubri.
There is no reason for thinking that alcohol is now being substituted for any of these drugs, although the reverse may be a fact owing to the cheapness of ganja. - Evidence of GANGADHAR SORMAH, Brahmin, Pleader, Jorhat.
I do not think that alcohol is in any way being substituted for ganja in this neighbourhood - Evidence of REVD. J. P. JONES,* Missionary, Sylhet.
No, because alcoholic drinks are valuable and cannot be easily available. - Evidence of HARIBILASH AGARWALA, Merchant, Tezpur.
I do not think that there is any reason to suppose that alcohol is being substituted for bhang or ganja in these provinces. - Evidence of COLONEL M. M. BOWIE, Commissioner, Nerbudda Division.
I think not. We are raising the price of our liquor in many places, and it is already very expensive in comparison with drugs. - Evidence of MR. A. C. DUFF, Deputy Commissioner, Jubbulpore.
There is no tendency to drink liquor in preference to ganja smoking. On the other hand, fears are entertained by the administration that ganja is being substituted for liquor as an intoxicant (see answer to question 25.) - Evidence of MR. H. V. DRAKE-BROCKMAN, Officiating Commissioner of Excise, Central Provinces.
Yes, there are reasons for thinking that the use of these drugs is being substituted by foreign liquors by the educated people. This is due to modern civilization and association with liquor using people. People must have something to make them gay and forgetful of the labours of the day. Ganja, bhang, opium, etc., are looked down a nd condemned by the educated people as well as by the higher classes of the community : consequently, those who can afford to pay for the costly foreign wines and spirits take to them. The number of such persons is very small, but it is on the increase. The large towns which are advanced in modern civilization will afford ample proof of this. - Evidence of RAGHUNATH RAO, Extra Assistant Commissioner, Damoh
The reasons why alcohol is being substituted for hemp drugs are—
(1) alcohol is not so injurious;
(2) the revenue from the sale of alcohol is daily increasing, while that from hemp drugs decreasing;
(3) alcohol is prevalent among the more civilized people, and as a rule the less enlightened people are their followers, and as they come more and more in contact with them, they adopt their habits; hence the increase in the use of alcohol. - Evidence of SYED MOHAMED HUSAIN, Extra Assistant Commissioner ; Diwan, Khairagarh State.
Alcohol is not so injurious as ganja. That is my opinion. Liquor in moderation does no harm ; but ganja does, however moderately it may be taken. - Oral Evidence of SYED MOHAMED HUSAIN, Extra Assistant Commissioner ; Diwan, Khairagarh State.
It has not come under my observation that alcohol is substituted for any of these drugs, but I know of cases where for liquor bhang drinking or ganja smoking has been substituted - Evidence of BATUK BHARTHY, Superintendent of Kalahandi State.
The consumers of ganja do not care a fig for alcohol. I cannot say that alcohol is being substituted for ganja - Evidence of ALAM CHAND, Superintendent, Bastar State.
The prohibition of ganja would be followed by recourse to alcoholic stimulants by those in whose society there is practice of taking liquor. But by the others recourse will be had to other drugs, such as roots , stems, or leaves of narcotic jungly plants. I observed that in Patna some persons satisfied their desire by the use of some jungly substance which was known to them when ganja could not be had. - Evidence of CHINTAMANI NAND VIDYÂ BHUSHANA, Uria Brahmin, late Tahsildar, Sonepur, Sambalpur
I have never found that a ganja smoker has given up ganja and taken to liquor. On the contrary, the authorities had reason to suspect that the case was quite the reverse, since increase in consumption of ganja was noticeable year after year. Since the introduction of the new system of taxing liquor in these provinces, liquor is sold much dearer than before. Its price is nearly doubled and if the system is extended to the remaining districts, and outstill system altogether abolished, as is done in two districts, there is no chance of people going for that article in preference to their habituated drug. Besides the one great bar for the majority of them is their caste prejudice. - Evidence of VINAYAK BALKRISHNA. KHARE, Brahmin, Excise Daroga, Nagpur.
Wine is not used instead of these drugs. Intoxication from wine is quite different from that of this drug. Secondly, the persons who are prohibited from drinking wine by their religion will prefer the use of these drugs, but those who drink wine do not at all like these drugs, but of course when compelled by their pecuniary circumstances, they prefer ganja and bhang to wine to satisfy themselves. - Evidence of ANANDI PERSHAD, Excise Daroga, Hoshangabad.
I have enquired both of the high and low castes, and find no evidence for believing that alcohol is taking the place of ganja, or ganja the place of alcohol. As regards the low castes, I am strongly inclined to credit all I have heard. These people are addicted to the use of country liquor and have no desire for ganja, notwithstanding its cheapness, when compared with mhowa liquor. The higher castes chiefly use ganja, and among. them liquor drinking is considered a habit to be reprobated. It is possible that secret liquor drinking is on the increase ; but positive evidence on this point is difficult to obtain. - Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR W. A. QUAYLE, Civil Surgeon, Nimar
The substitution of alcohol for hemp drugs is not appreciable. Cheapness, rapidity of effect, and the surface warmth induced by ganja smoking make it a special boon to Dhimars, Kachis, Koles and other low castes who are much exposed to climatic influences. They state that ganja enables them to work, while alcohol or opium can only induce enervation and sleep. - Evidence of APOTHECARY GEORGE MURPHY , Civil Surgeon, Mandla.
One addicted to this drug can substitute alcohol for it, provided (a) not prohibited by religion or caste ; (b) the consumer cannot at once put a stop to this habit, hence he must have some sort of stimulants. This chiefly occurs among low castes, as both the stimulants possess the same sort of intoxication. - Evidence of MUHAMMAD HABIBULLA, 1st grade Hospital Assistant, Seoni.
We have reasons to believe that alcohol is not being substituted for any of these drugs. The consumers of alcohol and ganja form different classes by themselves. - Evidence of GANGADHARRAO MADHO CHITNAVIS , Honorary Magistrate, Nagpur.
It would be rather difficult to prohibit the use of the drugs and would be a sort of discontent specially to the fakirs and labourers, as it is considered by them to be their chief food. The prohibition would not be followed by recourse to other drugs or alcoholic stimulants, as the practice of consuming madak, chandu, kuchla, dhatura, and liquor, in the opinion of the public, is considered disreputable. The benefit derivable from these drugs is not derived from opium. Besides this, the other drugs and stimulants are costly and injurious to the consumers, and the prevailing of which would lead poor people to commit theft, etc. - Evidence of MODAN MOHAN SETH, Honorary Magistrate, Jubbulpore.
I have heard that the lower class people, who use ganja, use alcoholic stimulants when ganja is not procurable, but what quantity they use I cannot say. - Evidence of HARI HAR SINGH, Zamindar and Honorary Magistrate, Sambalpur District.
It is more or less a matter of castes. Certain castes drink. Those that do not are not likely to take to it. Liquor drinkers never consume bhang; they do ganja, but only to a very small extent. - Evidence of LALL UMED SINGH, Zamindar, Bilaspur District.
I do not think that alcohol is now being to any extent substituted for any of these drugs. On the other hand, I know of a few cases of persons giving up alcohol in favour of ganja. The tendency of these drugs taking the place of spirituous liquors may be attributed to comparative poverty among the people addicted to the use of the intoxicating drugs, spirituous liquors costing more than the hemp drugs. - Evidence of RAO SAHIB BALWANTRAO GOVINDRAO BHUSKUTE, Brahmin, Jagirdar of Timborni, Barhanpar, .Nimar District.
I do not think that alcohol is now being to any extent substituted for ganja, bhang or majum, for reasons already given in my previous replies. But, on the contrary, I fear there is great danger of liquor-drinkers being driven to the use of ganja on account of its cheapness. Causes —(1) the labourers receive poor wages; (2) ganja is comparatively cheap; (3) the consumption of ganja is annually increasing in the Central Provinces and in the Zamindaries and Feudatory States of the Central Provinces. - Evidence of the REV. I. JACOB, Church of England Missionary, Chairman, District Council, etc., Chanda.
In my opinion the two habits keep pace together. I do not think alcohol is being substituted for the drug, nor the drug for alcohol when both are obtainable; but when one cannot be obtained, the other must and will be indulged in. - Evidence of the REV. O. LOHR,* Medical Missionary, Bisrampur, Raipur District.
No, because alcohol is much too expensive. For my part I should like to see liquor cheapened, particularly in wild and jungly parts of the pro -vince. A Gond, when he has a whole day's out - work in sun and rain, really wants a glass of liquor after that to prepare himself for the work next day. Liquor, to which he has been used for generations, does him no harm, as in majority of cases it is used in moderation. No length of familiarity with the drug under notice will counteract its evil effects, however, even when used in moderation. - Evidence of ADHAR SINGH GOUR, Kshattri, Barrister-at-law, Hoshangabad
No reason whatever (in this province) to think that ganja smokers are resorting to alcohol. Alcohol is much more costly. There is prejudice, social and religious, against alcohol, But the high prices of alcohol may be driving the consumers of alcohol to resort to ganja. This is only a fear which may be imaginary, for the statistics are not accurate, as they cannot be possibly so - Evidence of BABU KALIDAS CHOWDHRY, Brahmin, Pleader, Hoshangabad.
I do not think that alcohol is substituted to any extent by ganja, The largest consumption of ganja is amongst those people who do not drink or consider it disgraceful to drink. - Evidence of RAO SAHIB RANGRAO HARRY KHISTY, Pleader, Bhandara.
Alcohol cannot be substituted for these drugs, as many people will object on caste and religious restrictions. - Evidence of RAI BAHADUR KUSTOORCHAND DAGA, Bania, Banker, Kamptee, Nagpur District.
Yes ; alcohol is now being, to a certain extent, substituted for all these drugs, because ganja, etc., produce stupor, while alcohol is exhi-larating. We witness this transition in everyday life - Evidence of LALA NIINDKESFIORE, * Agartcal, Merchant, Banker, Contractor, Malgoozar, Honorary Magistrate, Secretary, Municipal Committee, and .Me.mber, District Council, Saugor.
Alcohol has certainly not begun to super sede ganja in this district. One pice worth of ganja suffices for a chillum (pipe), which will re fresh and invigorate three or four men. It would require a bottle of liquor to refresh them equally, and that would cost 2 annas or 2½ annas,—the whole of a labourer's daily wage. Ganja is the poor man's stimulant, and they cannot afford to take to liquor instead. - Evidence* of GIRDHARI LAL, Oswal Bania, Merchant and Banker, Seoni-Chapara.
Alcohol is certainly not superseding ganja as a stimulant. Who accustomed to intoxication or stimulant at 1 pie, which is about the price of sufficient ganja, would give that up to take to liquor at 4 annas an intoxication? Certainly not the poor labouring classes. No one, rich or poor, would give up ganja willingly to indulge in al -cohol. - Evidence* of ONKAR DAS, Agarwalla Bania, Mahajan, Seoni-Chapara.
Alcohol is not at present superseding ganja. The poor cannot afford alcohol. A pice worth of ganja suffices to provide four smokes for a poor man ; it would take a bottle of country liquor to yield him equal stimulant, and that would cost 2 annas, or the whole of a poor man's daily wage. Alcohol never could take the place of ganja as the poor man's stimulant. - Evidence* of HUSEN KHAN,† Pathan, Abkari Contractor, Seoni-Chapara.
It is quite the reverse. According to my experience as an Abkari Contractor, people are leaving off the habit of drinking liquors day by day, and are resorting to ganja instead, as this drug is much cheaper than the country spirit. - Evidence of COWASJEE MEHERWANJEE HATTY-DAROO, Parsi, Merchant and Abkari Contractor, Seoni-Chapara
There is not the least reason to think so. Arrack (30 u. p.) sells at 1 ½ annas a dram, and toddy at from half an anna to an anna for eight drams. It is thus very much dearer than ganja and its preparations. I am rather apprehensive that the high price of toddy and arrack may drive the low castes to use intoxicating preparations of ganja. - Eviclence of MR. H. M. WINTERBOTHAM, Collector of Tanjore
No. I should say that the change, if it exists, is in the other direction. - Evidence of MR. W. A. WILLOCK, Collector, Vizagapatam
The better classes prefer alcohol to these drugs. - Evidence of MR. M. HAMMICK, Acting Collector f South Arcot.
I believe that hemp drugs are in some measure taking the place of alcohol because they are cheaper. There is not much increase in their consumption - Evidence of MR. HERBERT BRADLEY, Acting Collector of Malabar.
The number of consumers of these drugs being small, and there being but little accurate information of the amount actually consumed, no general statement can be made. I know of no instance of a ganja smoker giving up ganja and taking to liquor. - Evidence of MR. L. C. MILLER, .Acting Collector of Trichinopoly.
I have no doubt that prohibition would be followed by recourse to another form of intoxicant. This is, I believe, the result of prohibition always when another intoxicant is available. The tendency is, I understand, in the other direction. - Evidence of MR. C. J. WEIR,* Acting Collector, District Magistrate, and Agent to Govr., Ganjam.
No; as stated above, alcohol is expensive, and not real substitute for ganja. - Evidence of MR. W. FRANCIS, Acting Head Assistant Collector, Ramnad.
No, I believe that, broadly speaking, those who have adopted the hemp drug habit have done so chiefly because they cannot afford alcohol. - Evidence of MR. J. H. MERRIMAN, Deputy Commissioner of Salt and Abkari, Central Division.
The statistics of liquor consumption show an appreciable increase in Ganjam and Vizagapatam and Kistna where the issues of liquor are recorded. In the Godavari district also where the tree-tapping system is in force the revenue is on the increase. But I do not think that these increases have affected the consumption of the hemp drugs. The revenue of the hemp drug shops has also risen. I think the opium and hemp drugs habits are so related that the one would be affected by any variation in the other, but I have no facts to base this opinion upon. I should like to say that the increase in the liquor revenue has been brought about by the suppression of smuggling and illicit distillation. - Evidence of RAO BAHADUR R. DHARMARAO, Deputy Commissioner, Salt and Abkari, Northern Division.
No; the effects of alchol are different from ganja—one leads to excessive indulgence in sexual pleasures, while the other has a diametrically opposite effect and makes a man impotent; one makes a man a ruffian and the other a timid fellow. There is a Telugu saying which, when translated into English, runs as follows:— Ganjayi is timid, opium is sleepy, arrack is murderous. - Evidence of M. R. R. DEWAN BAHADUR S. VENKATA RAMADAS NAIDU, Deputy Collector, Godavari.
Alcohol is not substituted for ganja or bhang, as it is more expensive. - Evidence of MR. J. H. GWYNNE , Deputy Collector, Wynaad, Malabar District.
Yes, due to the gradual increase of the cost of liquor and toddy. - Evidence of S. VASUDEVA. RAO, Tahsildar, Tadpatri.
Alcohol is now being to a certain extent substituted for these drugs by the rich who can afford to buy costly liquors. - Evidence of ADAKI JAGANNADHA RAO, Brahmin, Acting Tahsildar, Hindupur, Anantapur District.
I don't think alcohol has been substituted for these drugs now, as the former is more expensive than the latter. - Evidence of M. SESHACHALA NAIDU, Baliya, Pensioned Tahsildar, Vellore.
In the Wynaad alcohol is not taking the place of ganja among the poor, owing to its dearness; but among the well-to-do classes it is to a certain extent - Evidence of MR. C. E. HARDIE, District Forest Officer, Manantoddy, North Malabar.
The two cases have in practice scarcely any relation to each other. - Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR W. G. KING, Acting Sanitary Commissioner, Nadias.
I have reason to think that alcoholic stimulants are taking the place of ganja, chiefly because the moderate use of alcohol is not considered a low practice. Most syces in Upper India formerly smoked ganja, but now they drink arrack or toddy - Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR CIIATTERJIE, Medical Officer in charge 13th Madras Infantry, Cannanore.
I consider that the use of alcohol is rapidly spreading, but I have no definite proof that it is taking the place of these drugs. - Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR JOHN LANCASTER, District Surgeon, North Arcot.
Alcohol and bhang are frequently taken together by the habitual consumers of bhang. But alcohol, ipso facto, is not substituted for any of these drugs. - Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR W. F THOMAS, Acting District Medical and Sanitary Officer, Chingleput.
As people get more wealthy, they take to alcohol. Ganja or bhang is very cheap, not so alcohol. - Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR A. J. STURMER, District and Sanitary Officer, Masulipatam, Kistna District
The more well-to-do classes resort to alcohol. - Evidence of Apothecary G. A. W. VELLONES, Chetambaram, South Arcot.
No, because alcohol is dearer in every way. - Evidence of Apothecary N. H. DANIEL, In charge Police Hospital, Koraput, Vizagapatam District.
Certain cases have come within the range of my observation, in which alcohol has been substituted for ganja. - Evidence of K. JAGANNADHAM NAIDU,* Medical Officer, Parlakimedi, Ganjam District.
No ; as far as I am able to make out. My informers emphatically tell me that the effects of alcohol and of hemp are almost antagonistic, and that one addicted to the latter will hardly ever think of taking to alcohol, even if he be quite deprived of the drug, the antipathy to alcohol produced by the habit being so great - Evidence of Assistant Surgeon SALDANHA, Salem.
Some consumers use alcohol in addition, but not as a substitute. A number of men who were alcohol consumers some years ago thought of substituting ganja for alcohol, but the effects of the drug being unpleasant, they have entirely abandoned its use and resumed the alcohol. They were all under my treatment. - Evidence of Hospital Assistant CHINNY SREENIVASA RAU, Prapanna Komity, L. F. Hospital, Bobbili Vizagapatam District.
Yes; there is reason to think that alcohol is now to a certain extent substituted for these drugs. The causes which I assign are advanced civilization, reformed societies, and the idea that ganja is a great depression and makes a man dull and lazy. - Evidence of Hospital Assistant JAGANNATII PANDIT, Uriya, Russellkonda, Ganjam District.
I have not seen such instances, but on the contrary found people substituting the hemp drug for alcoholic stimulants, for reason of cheapness of the former : this is mostly among Hindus. - Evidence of Hospital Assistant I. PARTHASARATHY CHETTY, P enukonda, Anantapur District
I do not know any specific instances, but I think it probable for the reason that alcohol more readily induces inebriation, and is more readily procurable in this country. - Evidence of the RAJA OF RAMNAD,* Madura District
The uniform conviction is that the use of alcohol is growing to an alarming extent, and though not taking the place of hemp drugs, it is doing incalculably more mischief in these districts. The informants all agree that the use of any of these drugs in any quantity is dangerous and bad. They are not concerned with differences in degree of injuriousness - Evidence of the REV. H. F. LAFLAMME, Canadian Baptist Mission, Yellamanchili, Vizagapatam.
There is no substitution of alcohol for this drug in our district. - Evidence of N. KOTHUNDARAMAYYA, Brahmin, Editor of "Suneeti" Rajahmundry, Godavari District
I don't think that the drug to any extent is substituted by liquor or vice versa. In spite of their cost, toddy and liquor are drunk largely, and the number of their consumers are on the increase. - Evidence of P. KESAVA PILLAI, Karnam, Pleater, and Honorary Secretary of the Gooty People's Association.
Certainly alcohol is now being substituted for these drugs; it is feasible to prohibit. I now strongly speak that alcohol is much more injurious than these drugs. Alcohol entirely makes a man bereft of his senses when taken excessively. On the other hand, these hemp drugs are not injurious to others, but to its consumers. - Evidence of CHODISETTY VENKATARATNUM, Merchant, Coconada, Godavari
Yes. Liquor is cheap. - Evidence of APPALA NARASSIAH CHETTY, Vaisya, Merchant, Berhampore.District
Those, who can afford it, might prefer alcoholic stimulant to the use of ganja. As the latter is cheaper than the former, there is no reason to think that the use of ganja would become entirely superseded by the use of alcoholic stimulants. - Evidence of T. RATNASAMI NADA.R, Arrack Supply Contractor, Malabar.
No reason to think so. Well-to-do people scarcely take themselves to ganja, but prefer liquor. It is only the poor that resort to the c heap intoxicant of ganja, and so these don't substitute liquor for ganja. - Evidence of ANGAPPA GONUDEN, Blacksmith, Salem.
Local statistics afford no reason. The con -sumption of alcohol is very stead - Evidence of MR. E. J. EBDEN, Collector, Ahmednagar.
I should say not; the consumption of country spirit iu this (very drunken) district is apparently diminishing. - Evidence of MR. W. F. SINCLAIR, Collector, Thana.
I do not think so. If anything, the tendency is the other way. - Evidence of MR. J. MONTEATH, Collector and District Magistrate, _Bijapur
There is not, I think, any reason for thinking alcohol is being substituted for ganja. The wild tribes have always been very fond of drink. - Evidence of MR. A. CUMINE, Acting Collector, Dhulia, Khandesh.
I have no reason to think that alcohol is being substituted for any of these drugs. Alcohol is in disrepute, as far as is known, with the classes who use ganja. - Evidence of MR. A. H. PLUNKETT, City Magistrate, Poona.
Indulgence in alcohol is now-a-days considered to be less disreputable than it was before the spread of English education and Western ideas, which have made very great strides during the last thirty years. It is probable that material prosperity among the lower classes would bring in its train a taste for the more expensive and fashionable alcohol in place of the poor hemp drugs. - Evidence of RAO BAHADUR LALLUBHAI GORDHANDAS, Vania, Huzur Deputy Collector, Nasik.
I have seen a person weaned of the habit of drinking liquor by the moderate use of bhang - Evidence of RAO BAHADUR NARAYAN GANESII DESHPANDE, Brahmin, Deputy Collector, Belgaum
At present there is no reason to apprehend that alcohol is being substituted for hemp drugs. But the prohibition to use them might, it is feared, lead their consumers to the use of these drugs as labouring classes and beggars often stand in need of some intoxicating drugs to make light the effects of the fatigues of their labour. - Evidence of RAO BAHADUR VYANKATESH BAPUJI WADEKAR, Deputy Collector, Ahmednagar.
Please see answer to question No. 25. As far as the use of bhang and ganja for the preparation of majum and yakuti is concerned, alcohol is to a very great extent substituted for those drugs. Those who are able to mix freely with Hindus and Muhammadans of higher classes need no proof in satisfaction of the above facts. It is an admitted fact and open secret that Hindu youths and middle-aged men have of late years greatly addicted themselves to the use of confectioned country liquor and foreign wines and spirits The vice has also to some extent spread among the Muhammadans in the Ahmedabad and Kaira districts. Formerly, in Ahmedabad, at two or three shops, confectioned country liquor was sold to a limited extent. Now-a-days it is sold at a good many shops in the city and talukas, and the same is the case regarding the Kaira district. Those who, under the old state of things, would have remained consumers of majums and yakutis have become liquor drinkers. - Evidence of KHAN BAHADUR DADABHAI DEENSHAH, Parsi, Huzur Deputy Collector and Magistrate,1st Class, Kaira.
As an exhilarant, this drug was only considered as stimulant ; but since Western ideas have got root into the minds of educated people, the religious scruples which existed against alcoholic drinks have been dying away, and alcoholic drinks are substituted in place of these drugs ; and this can be proved by the fact that the consumption of this drug is on the decrease, while that of alcoholic drinks is on the increase. - Evidence of RAO BAHADUR SITARAM DAMODAR, Huzur Deputy Collector, Khandesh.
I do not think that alcohol is being substi -tuted for any of these drugs - Evidence of RAO BAHADUR BAPUJI MAHIPAT KHARKAR, Kayasth, Huzur Deputy Collector and Magistrate, 1st Class, Satara
I do not think so. On the contrary, I should say the tendency is the other way, as there are religious objections to the use of liquors con -taining alcohol. - Evidence of RAO BAHADUR RUDRAGOWDA CHANVIRGOWDA ARTAL, Lengayet, Deputy Collector, Bijapur
I do not think that alcohol is now being used in place of ganja in this presidency. On the contrary, I think those who are unable to buy liquors on account of its enhanced price resort to ganja. As regards this question, I cannot do better than give reference to page 236 of Hindu Materia Nedica by U. C. Dutt, which will show that alcohol is being substituted for ganja in Bengal. - Evidence of RAO BAHADUR RAMCHANDRA RAJARAM MULÉ, Deshastha Brahmin, Administrator of Jath, in Southern Mahratta Country.
I think there is. Education has given the rising generation a distaste and contempt for old things, among which may be included the use of these drugs, and created a desire for alcoholic liquors, which are indulged in pretty freely. - Evidence of MR. J. F. FERNANDEZ, R etired Deputy Collector and City Magistrate, Ahmedabad.
There is no religious objection for the use of ganja or bhang, as they are not liquids prepared by other castes ; but there e ists a prohibi-tion regarding the use of liquor. I know persons who wish to have intoxication preferring liquor to ganja, and therefore the consumption of alcohol is on the increase and will increase as the ties of religious bonds are becoming slackened by education, and the action of the respectable people in excommunicating drinkers of liquor becomes more and more hampered by the operation of the defamation section of the Indian Penal Code. - Evidence of NARAYAN RAO BHIKHAJ1 JOGALEKAR, Brahmin, Pensioned Deputy Collector ; now Karbhari of the Aundh Stale.
My belief is that wines and spirits are now being to a certain extent substituted for hemp drugs. I believe that many of the poorer classes of consumers of hemp drugs will go into the liquor shops if they have money. The hemp drug consumer resorts to ganja or bhang because it is a cheaper intoxicant or he has caste objections against drinking liquor. I believe that the man with an English education, whose caste feelings are not strong, and whose parents would occasionally perhaps only drink bhang, will now take wine or spirits as being, according to his notions, more fashionable and in keeping with cultivated ideas - Evidence of MR. W. ALMON, Assistant Collector, Abkari Department, Bombay.
No, I don't think alcohol is being substi tuted. If there be any decrease in the quantity of these drugs consumed, it is to be explained by the fact of the gradual disappearance of the mendicant class rather than by the substitution of alcohol. - Evidence of R AO SAHEB GANESH PANDURANG THAKAR, Deshastha Brahmin, Mamlatdar, Pandharpur, Sholapur District, at present auditing the jamabandi accounts of the Poona District, Poona.
There is no reason to believe that alcohol is now being to a certain extent substituted for any of these drugs. But the more and more use of alcoholic stimulants year by year is attributable to other causes, which need not be enumerated here - Evidence of RAO SAHIB KRISHNAJI BALLAL DEVAL, Chitpavan, Brahmin, Mamlatdar and Magistrate, 1st Class, Chiplon.
It cannot be stated that alcohol is now being substituted for any of these drugs. It chiefly depends upon the choice of the people using them. Some people use alcohol and some these drugs, but for these drugs alcohol is not preferred, as the latter is more expensive than the former, and is regarded irreligious by particular classes of people. - Evidence of DADABHAI BURJORJEE GUZDER, Parsi, District Abkari Inspector, Ahmednagar.
The costliness of alcoholic drinks serves as a bar to their use as a substitute for bhang or ganja among poor people ; but, on the other hand, religious prejudice against liquor drinking is wearing way. There is no direct proof to show that the hemp drugs are being supplanted by alcohol, the only thing observed being that there are now-a-days more drunkards than ganja smokers or bhang drinkers. - Evidence of YASHVANT NILKANTH, Patana P rabhu, Superintendent, Office of Survey Commissioner, and Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Bombay.
Alcohol is to a certain extent taking the place of ganja smoking. - Evidence of MR. G. P. MILLET, Divisional Forest Officer, West Thana, Thana
I think that the use of alcohol is gradually taking the place of bhang among the better classes of consumers in this part of India. This is probably due to the increased facilities, especially in towns, for obtaining cheap foreign spirits, the importation of which has very largely increased during recent years. - Evidence of MR. F. T. V. AUSTIN, District Superintendent of Police, Surat.
Yes, on account of change of fashion. - Evidence of Mr. DHANJISHA DADABHOY, Parsi, District Superintendent of Police, Thana.
There is no reason for thinking that al -cohol is now being substituted for any of these drugs in this State and, as far as I know, in any other part of Guzerat. On the contrary, bhang is substituted for alcoholic stimulants by the poor classes on festive occasions. For two pice a host can supply about 20 guests with bhang, provided it be drunk without ingredients, whereas to supply the same number with alcoholic stimulants in moderation, it would cost him at least Rs. 2. - Evidence of MR. T. G. FOARD, Superintendent of Police, Cambay.
I consider the use of alcohol is gradually taking the place of bhang among better classes of people in this district, probably due to the increased facilities, especially in towns, for obtaining cheap foreign spirits, the importation of which seems to have increased enormously. - Evidence of KHAN BAHADUR NANABHOY COWASJI, Parsi, City Police Inspector, Surat.
Yes, to bad company, and a growing tendency to immorality. It is no shame to take liquor for a person who has no social restriction; bat the taking of ganja and charas would be viewed with disfavour by almost all concerned. In the estimation of many castes, whereas liquor taking is not considered shameful, the smoking of ganja is a fruitful source of scandal. - Evidence of RAO SAHIB PRANSHANKAR, Brahmin, Inspector of Police, Detective Branch, Bombay.
Ganja, charas and bhang are preferred to alcohol, as they are cheaper, and it does not appear that alcohol is substituted in their stead - Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR H. W. B. BOYD, Superintendent, Colaba Lunatic Asylum, Bombay
There is not sufficient reason for thinking that alcohol is now being substituted for any of these drugs. - Evidence of SURGEON-LIEUTENANT-COLONEL W. MCCONAGHY, Civil Surgeon, and Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum, Poona.
I have reason to believe that alcoholic drinks are now being to a very large extent substituted for bhang drinking. Thirty years ago young men used to drink bhang in their convivial gatherings, such as " pleasure-parties " of young men. These " pleasure-parties " are very much like " picnic " parties, minus the society of the female sex. In former years, if any exhilaration was required at such parties, bhang drinking was the order of the day. Alcoholic drinks have now taken their place. It would be a revelation to me if at the present day such "pleasure-parties" of our young men are absolutely free from alcohol. I make this statement with extreme regret, but without the slightest fear of contradiction. I attribute the cause of this change to the importation of cheap ardent liquors from Europe into this country, and sweet liqueurs from France, which fascinate our young men on account of their immediate intoxicant effects, notwithstanding the bad headaches they leave afterwards We do not hear of, nor do we see, now-a-days bhang drunk at such " pleasure-parties " in any form, but I know that large quantities of liquor in various forms are weekly, if not daily, used by our young men—not only in the Thana district, but in Bombay among the better classes. This I consider to be an undeniable proof that alcohol is now being substituted for bhang. - Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR K. R. KIRTIKAR, Civil Surgeon, Thana, and Medical Officer, Thana Depot and District Jail.
I am of opinion that alcohol has gradually superseded the use of any of these drugs, on account of the greater facility in obtaining it, and the surreptitious and secret manner in which it could be obtained for ready use. - Evidence of KHAN BAHADUR DOSSABROY PESTONJEE, Parsi, Assistant Surgeon, Parakh Dispensary, Surat, and Honorary Assistant Surgeon to His Excellency the Viceroy.
Alcohol of late is taking the place of these drugs. The causes of this change seem to be— (a) The trouble one has to take to preparing ganja or bhanga. (b)Alcohol can be easily obtained. (c)Alcohol works on the system sooner, and is becoming more fashionable. - Evidence of ASSISTANT SURGEON ANNA MORESHWAR KUNTE, J. J. Hospital, Bombay.
I think that to a certain extent alcohol is substituted for bhang. Indulging in this drug for narcotic purposes is considered to be opposed to the views generally entertained by modern civilization and education, and hence they having regard to modern ideas have recourse to alcohol. They also think that alcoholic intoxication is immediate and more pleasant in its effects. Establishment of liquor shops in many more places than before is also another cause for its substitution. Farms in hemp drugs are not sold for last two or three years in certain villages, because the farmers say that there are no customers for these drugs. In some places increase in revenue from farming alcoholic liquors is sufficient to lead one to an inference that alcohol to a certain extent is substituted for hemp drugs. The use of bhang in higher classes has been, to a very great extent, given up for reasons already explained, and they take to the use of liquor, indulgence in which is to a certain extent increased by the facilities which the forward class of natives who call themselves Soodharavalas obtain by their social intercourse with people of various creeds and castes who are not prohibited from indulging in these drugs religiously, and this class has spread the contagion to their less intelligent brothers. Even they have the audacity to accuse medical men, particularly native practitioners, as the cause of the mischief. Hemp drugs are the only drugs which are used by a large class of people, such as yogis, fakirs, atits, etc., and there is every probability that alcohol will be substituted if these drugs are prohibited to them. - Evidence of RAO BAHADUR THAKORDAS KIKABHAI, Bania, Assistant Surgeon, Wadhwan Civil Station, Kathiawar
There is a slight increase in alcoholic drinks, but its substitution for ganja, bhang, etc., cannot he ascertained. Some persons or sects who are prohibited by their religion, etc., from using alcohol have only ganja or opium to resort to, and also that the latter two drugs are cheaper than alcoholic drinks - Evidence of ASSISTANT SURGEON ABDUL GHANI, Hakim, in charge of Gadag Dispensary, Gadag, Dharwar District.
I have no reason to believe that alcohol is being substituted partly or wholly for any one of I these drugs ; nor, in my opinion, is it likely that it could be so substituted, owing to its being more costly article than the others. - Evidence of ASSISTANT SURGEON B. H. NANAVATTY, Parsi, and Teacher of Surgery and Midwifery, Medical School, Ahmedabad.
As alcohol is now easily obtained in every town and village, some people substitute alcohol for hemp drugs. This is on .account of the opening of liquor shops all over the country. - Evidence of HOSPITAL ASSISTANT BHAU SACCARAM, Brahmin, Raipur Dispensary, Ahmedabad.
I cannot say that alcohol is substituted for any of these drugs. NOTE.—The consumption of alcohol in my eye has increased and is increasing day after day ; the only cause that could be attributed is that alcohol is freely sold, and ready for use anywhere; while bhang, etc., take time and trouble before they are ready for use. 2nd.—Low caste people and labouring class people are under a firm and unshaken belief that they are able to work so hard only by the aid of such liquor. I have known woodcutters after a day's hard work intoxicating with alcohol not having had any idea of their meals. 3rd.—Imitation. As to indulge in alcoholic liquors is considered by half-educated people to be the first step towards reformation and civilization, and, taking their example, poor illiterate and uneducated people imitate them. The proof of the reality of increase of the alcoholic use is the increase of the alcoholic poisoning cases noticed in hospitals. - Evidence of HOSPITAL ASSISTANT JAMIATRAM JEYASHUNKER, Nagar Brahmin, West Hospital, Rajkot, Kattiawar.
There is not any reason to substitute alcohol for any of these drugs ; on account of the dearness of the liquor a few people have taken to the use of these cheap intoxicants. - Evidence of HOSPITAL ASSISTANT SUDASHIO WAMON, Brahmin, Mansa, Mahikantha
Alcohol is to a very great extent displacing bhang as an ordinary drink of the people. The change is due to the greater facility of obtaining alcoholic drinks. - Evidence of HOSPITAL ASSISTANT PHIROZSILAW D. COOPER, Parsi, in charge Dispensary, Ilao.
Yes; the reply to this question has been anticipated in the foregoing remarks. This change in the appetite of intoxication is partly at least the result of the fashion of imitation. - Evidence of GANESH KRISHNA GARDE, * Brahmin, Medical Practitioner, Poona City.
I believe alcohol is being substituted for the hemp drugs. The cause of the substitution may be the facility in obtaining the former. I can give no proof. I have known the class of Gorawallas, who were once consumers of bhang, giving up the habit and drinking spirits instead. - Evidence of J. GERSON DA. CUNHA, Medical Practitioner, Esplanade, Bombay
I don't think that people who use ganja would be satisfied by the use of alcohol instead, as the pleasure is quite different, but there is more facility in getting alcohol for a little more price, so there is a likelihood of the habit being changed from ganja to alcohol. - Evidence of ISMAIL JAN MOHOMED, Khoja, Physician, Bombay.
Natives with imperfect English education have begun to discard old beneficial usages, and, in imitation of the worst habits of Europeans, pride themselves in mistaken advanced views by using liquor, looking with disdain on the some what crude vegetable preparation of bhang. Many have been the premature decays of life and intellect on this account. - Evidence of MR. PURBHURAM JEEWANRAM, Nagar Brahmin, Native Doctor (Vaidya), Bombay.
I think that at the present time alcohol is to a small extent being substituted for these drugs. I attribute the causes to fashion and the labour necessary to prepare the hemp drug for consumption. These opinions are the results of my observations. - Evidence Of VITHALDAS PRANJIWANDASS, Bhunksali Landlord and Trader, late Intoxicating Drugs Farmer, Bombay.
No ; there is no reason for thinking that alcohol is now being substituted for any of these drugs ; not only this, but it is said that a man accustomed to ganja smoke necessarily requires it though he takes alcohol. - Evidence of RAMCHANDRA KRISHNA. KOTIIAVALE, Brahmin, Inamdur, Taluka Wai, in Satara District
Yes ;the liquor shops having been too temptingly located without any exercise of the right of local option, alcohol has been of late to a great extent substituted for bhang and ganja and opium. This substitution is due— 1stly—to the too tempting location of the shops in all the parts of towns, this being due to the present farming system whereby it is the interest of the contractor to raise as much revenue and as much profit by his business as possible ; 2ndly— the want of local option, whereby the wishes of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood are disregarded as to the location of the shops ; and 3rdly —the article being sold ready-made, requiring no accompaniments or paraphernalia as bhang, ganja, or charas would do, and being for the above two reasons ready at hand, is preferred to both of these. As for the proof of the substitution of alcohol for these drugs among the common people, the increase in the revenue derived from alcoholic stimulants is a sure indication of this and of nothing else. - Evidence of DESAIBHAI KALIDAS, Brahmin (Khedaval), Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor, Kaira.
I do not think that there are any instances of ganja consumers taking to alcohol as a substitute. But alcohol being more widely distributed for sale and more accessible to all classes of people, a seeker after the stimulant goes first to the liquor shop, and then ganja ceases to have a chance. Practically, therefore, alcohol has been encroaching on the domains of ganja, and even if no prohibition were resorted to in the districts of which I am speaking, ganja would ere long cease to hold its own against alcohol. - Evidence of RAO BAHADUR VISHWANATH KESHAWA JOGLEKAR, Brahmin, Sowkar, Karajgi in Dharwar District.
There is no reason for thinking that highly excised alcohol is now being to a certain extent substituted for cheap intoxicants like bhang and ganja, but, on the contrary, bhang and ganja are substituted for alcohol by poor drinking classes of people, who cannot afford money to indulge in costly alcohol, and the increased consumption and revenue of the intoxicating drugs is a proof of its reality. - Evidence of JAMSEDJEE NASSERWANJEE GINWALLA,* Shenshai Parsi, Abkari and Opium Farmer, and proprietor of cotton-ginning factories, Ankleswar.
There is no reason for thinking that alcohol is now being substituted for any of these drugs. On the contrary, fakirs and sadhus hate alcoholic drink. 1 actually tried this by offering spirituous liquor to them, but they would not drink it.- . Evidence of NANNU MIAN B.SHAIKH, Municipal Secretary, Surat.
So far as I have known, no such person can be found. A person addicted to either ganja or alcohol may contract the habit of the other and continue both. A person having both the habits occasionally substitutes ganja for liquor for want of sufficient money, but he then tries to get liquor as soon as possible. Liquor is a more costly luxury than ganja, and this explains why one addicted to ganja would not take to liquor. The influence of liquor is stronger, but of a shorter duration, while that of ganja is milder, but of a longer duration. This also explains why a person addicted to either would not leave it in favour of the other. - Evidence of RAO BAHADUR VENKAT RANGO KATTI, Pensioner, Dharwar.
These drugs being available at moderate rates, there is no reason for thinking that alcohol is wished as a substitute - Evidence of GURAPPA RACHAPPA, Lengayet, Office of Shetti (Revenue and Police), Dharwar.
From the enquiries that I have made, I learn that alcohol is not substituted for any of these drugs; but if the consumers of hemp drugs find themselves in better circumstances, they begin to use alcohol in addition to hemp drugs. - Evidence of KHAN BAHADUR KADIRDAD KHAN GUL KHAN, C.I.E., Deputy Collector, Naushahro Sub-division.
From close enquiries made I find that there are very few men who have taken to alcohol after leaving off the use of drugs. On account of the dearness of liquor it is not likely that recourse would be had to it. A pice or two of drugs satisfies a man, whereas it would require 3 annas, the price of 2 drams of the cheapest liquor, to satisfy him - Evidence of MR. GEO. J. BARKER, Abkari Inspector, Karachi.
No. But many respectable Hindu Sindhis take a glass of brandy or whisky or country liquor before supper, from the idea that it excites their appetite, and in imitation of the ruling race, as they imitate the cut of their clothes, etc - Evidence of BRIGADE-SURGEON-LIEUTENANT-COLONEL J. F. KEITH, Superintencl. ent, Lunatic Asylum, Hyderabad, Sind.
Alcohol is not considered to be now used as a substitute for any hemp drug, although it is partaken of in winter, as bhang, which is a cooling mixture, is reserved for the summer months. - Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR W. A. CORKERY, Civil Surgeon, Sukkur.
Alcohol is not substituted for bhang in a person habituated to the use of the latter; but the former being at hand and getting into more general use, is partaken of more freely than before, and in this way would lessen the use of bhang, especially in the case of the rising generation, many of whom take alcohol to assimilate in habits to the European - Evidence of Assistant Surgeon, EDWARD MACKENZIE, Manora, Karachi, Sind.
Hardly any. Those consuming any of these drugs are, I find, not satisfied if alcohol be substituted 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 "boisterous " alcohol, militate against the substitution. - Evidence of Assistant Surgeon,J. E.BOCARRO,Lecturer, Medical School, Hyderabad (Sind)
I have no reason to believe that alcohol is now being to a certain extent substituted for ganja and charas. The better class of Hindus who have of late taken to alcohol may give up bhang for brandy. - Evidence of DR. S. M. KAKA, Medical Officer of Health, Karachi.
In my opinion alcohol is not used in substitution of any of these drugs. If a drinker of bhang, after taking bhang and being well satisfied with the intoxication it gives him, takes an alcoholic drink after it, he loses all pleasure in the bhang drink. Besides, alcoholic drinks are more expensive, and so they cannot be substituted for bhang drink. But bhang can safely and with less expense be substituted for alcoholic stimulant - Evidence of SETH VISHINDAS NIHALCHAND, Zamindar, Merchant, and Contractor, Manjoo, Karachi.
No; on the contrary, the use of alcohol is to a certain extent foregone in favour of bhang drinking. - Evidence of TIRITHDAS HASRAJMAL, Member of the firm of Denmal Sachanond, Karachi.
No. The use of bhang has taken the place of alcoholic stimulants, for many men have given up the habit of taking alcoholic stimulants and taken to bhang, for bhang has cooling effects - Evidence of MANGHANMAL ALUMAL, Bhang, Ganja and Charas, and Opium farmer, Karachi.
No, because spirits are dear. - Evidence of MR. J. C. WATCHA, Excise Inspector, Ellichpur.
It appears that the men who are used to the hemp drugs are addicted to a certain extent to alcohol. I attribute this change to the causes of getting the alcohol ready, and they have got a peculiar taste. I cannot offer any proof of its reality, but it is said that the liquor is much consumed. - Evidence of VINAYAK APPAJI KAUR, Brahmin, Officiating Tahsildar, Darwa, Wnn District.
As ganja smoking has a tendency to undermine the health, young men of the lower classes are carefully eschewing the habit of smoking ganja. The increased consumption of arrack and toddy points to ganja smoking being gradually superseded. Men who have been in the habit of smoking ganja for the last ten years give it as their experience that they do not see any steady increase in their number of ganja smokers. - Evidence of DR. O. W. JONES, Civil Surgeon, Basim.
Indians to a great extent believe in the state of intoxication. Alcoholic intoxication is supposed to be more harmful (perhaps on account of its ordour) than narcotics. Therefore Sudras take liquor and higher caste people (who are not allowed by their religion to drink liquor) take bhang. But as liquor is expensive in comparison to bhang, and bhang (if well prepared) more expensive than ganja, so lower caste people take ganja, which is the least expensive, easily enjoyed, readily obtained, and made ready for use. Sudras alcohol, bhang and ganja. High caste people generally use bhang, rarely ganja, and still more rarely liquor. Latterly, on account of English education and society, some of the high caste gentlemen who with impunity could take bhang have substituted it by alcoholic drinks. To prove this is rather hard and risky. However, if it is essentially necessary, an inspection of accounts of English wine shopkeepers will prove without a shadow of doubt that the community whose forefathers could use openly preparations of hemp now use liquor, which is an open secret. - Evidence of S. BAIJNATH, Medical Officer, Mady Hospital, Badnera
Alcohol is not being substituted for hemp drugs ; it is dearer, and besides the Hindu, who is almost the exclusive consumer of hemp drugs, has an aversion to alcohol, and a preference for hemp, which is tolerated by his religion. - Evidence of DR. S. G. STEINHOFF, Medical Officer in charge, Charitable Dispensary, Khamgaon.
Yes, to a certain extent it is attributable to a better financial state; when the smokers become somewhat better off in pecuniary circumstances, then they give up smoking, and take to alcohol as a fashionable drink in substitution of ganja. I am not able to offer any proof, but I speak from my personal knowledge. - Evidence of M. DOORGIAH PILLAY, 1st Class Hospital Assistant, in medical charge, AKola Dispensary.
I do not think alcohol is substituted for these drugs. Taking to alcohol is a different question and has nothing to do with the substitution for these drugs. - Evidence of KHAN BAHADUR NAWAB MUHAMMA.D SALAMULLA KHA.N, Jagirdar, Deulghat, Buldana District.
Yes, good opium and good liquor are driving it out of market. - Evidence of G. S. KHAPERDE, Brahmin, Pleader, Amraoli
In this part of the country alcohol is never substituted for bhang. A person used to bhang, charas or ganja will never be satisfied until he gets the particular drug to which he is habituated. To a certain extent opium may be substituted for it. - Evidence of ABDUL KAYUM, Hakim, Ajmere.
Men addicted to these drugs do not substitute wine for them ; and if any one will do so, it will do him some injury and lie against his religion as well. I do not know if any one substitutes it. Some use opium for bhang. In some countries wine is drunk for bhang, but it is injurious. - Evidence of JATI AMAR HANSA, .Baid, Ajmere.
Somewhere in the sub-division where moderate consumers can spare money, they substitute alcohol for these drugs - Evidence of KAZI IMAMUDDIN, Extra Assistant Commissioner, Pishin
Yes; the aclohol is very commonly used, the drunkards are daily found by the road sides . The alcohol being used by Europeans, whose example is naturally followed by the natives, and it is a stronger and. diffusible drink, much more easy to obtain it than formerly ; the use of alcohol is considered no more sin at present ; effects of alcohol is to dilate the cutaneous capillaries, therefore mostly used when warmth is required, in preference to hemp preparations, which only affects the sensibility of the cutaneous nerves. - Evidence of BHUGWAN DASS, Khattri, Hospital Assistant, Quetta.
Half-educated natives, who would have taken to ganja or charas, take to alcohol instead. - Evidence of SURGEON-LIEUTENANT-COLONEL P. N. MOOKERJEE, Civil Surgeon, Sagaing, Upper Burma
Majority of men deny having substituted alcohol for any of these drugs; but from a few cases that have come under my notice I feel certain in my mind that the sale of ganja and charas being stopped, and they being so expensive in Burma, that it is quite beyond the means of many to procure them, that they resort to alcohol instead, and the consequences have been very serious on account of their going to excess in the hope of getting the same effect as that of ganja or charas. I have no actual proof to show at present, but I remember some cases that have come under my observation among gaol warders and prisoners. - Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR S. H. DANTRA, Civil Surgeon, Mandalay.
I have no data on which to form an opinion on this point. In this country, ganja is only used by a few natives of India. The possession of the drug is entirely prohibited, but that it is used is proved by the fact that individuals are occasionally detected with considerable quantities. - Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR P. W. DALZELL, Civil Surgeon and Superintendent, Central Prison, Bassein
I do not think that alcohol is now to any extent being substituted for any of the drugs, nor do I think it ever will, for alcohol is dear, ganja cheap. Half an anna worth ganja will produce intoxication in a beginner, whereas half an anna worth alcohol will fail to produce that effect. - Evidence of ASSISTANT SURGEON O. L. MOONSHI, Civil Surgeon and Superintendent of Jail, Maubin, Thongwa District.
None that I am aware of. Use of alcohol is very rare in my part of Bengal, but then alcohol shops are few and far between. - Evidence of MAHENDRA NATH ROY, Resident Medical Officer, General Hospital, Rangoon.
I don't think that alcohol is substituted for these drugs, because, first, alcohol is more expensive; second, most of the people who are in the habit of using these drugs are Hindus and Muhammadans, who, on account of caste prejudice, don't like to take alcohol - Evidence of SONA MULL, Brahmin, First Grade Hospital Assistant, in medical charge of Dispensary and Jail, Myanaung.
Comparative Statement showing the Effects and Medicinal Uses of Subzi, one of the Indian Hemp Drugs, and Alcohol (in its various forms). Subzi -1. Moderate doses act as a digestive before food. 2 In small doses habitually taken does not lead to increased craving desire 3. Not known to produce abscess of the liver. 4. Used as a diuretic. 5. Used for curing gonorrhœa and gleet. 6. Used as an application for painful piles. 7. Used for scorpion bite 9. Very little effect on general tissue change. 10. There is but little excitement of circulation. 11. Used in whooping cough and bronchitis. 12. Used in diarrhœa, dysentery and cholera. 13. Used as antispasmodic in various nervous disorders. Alcohol -1. Stimulates appetite in moderate doses before food. 2. Moderate doses habitually taken lead to increased craving for alcohol. 3. In many cases liver abscess can be traced to alcohol 4. Acts as a diuretic in large doses. 5. Strictly prohibited in gonorrhœa and gleet. 6. Not so used. 7. Not so used. 9. In small and moderate doses lessens and in large doses increases tissue change. 10. Excites cerebral circulation then begins to paralyse various parts of the brain in the inverse order of their development( Brunton's Pharmacology, page 200). 11. Not so used. l2. Not so used, except as a stimulant to support the system. 13. Not so used - Evidence of Assistant Surgeon, G. M. DIXON, Medical Officer and Superintendent, Nara Jail.
Related articles
http://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/07/cannabis-usage-in-19th-century-india.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: Police play doctor as ruling classes lay foundation for global reefer madness
http://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/05/cannabis-usage-in-19th-century-india.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: Methods of cultivation
http://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/09/cannabis-usage-in-19th-century-india.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: Areas of cannabis cultivation and wild growth
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/01/areas-of-cannabis-cultivation-and-wild.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: The manner and forms in which cannabis was consumed
http://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/08/cannabis-usage-in-19th-century-india.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: Conditions suitable for cannabis cultivation
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/02/conditions-suitable-for-cannabis.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: Post harvest processing, packaging and storage
http://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/09/cannabis-usage-in-19th-century-india_28.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: The classes of people who consumed and cultivated ganja
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/02/19th-century-indian-cannabis-user.html
Cannabis usage in 19th Century India: Findings on the immediate effects of cannabis consumption
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-immediate-effects-of-cannabis.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: Myths of harmful physical and moral effects
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/04/creating-myths-of-harmful-physical-and.html
The 108 names of cannabis
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-108-names-of-cannabis.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: Trade and movement
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/03/trade-and-movement-of-cannabis-in-19th.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: Notes on chemical, physiological and biological analyses of Indian cannabis
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/02/notes-on-chemical-physiological-and.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: Exploring the myth that cannabis causes crime
http://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/03/exploring-myth-that-cannabis-causes.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: Consumption rates and associated costs
http://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/02/26.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: The public opinion farce amid near total opposition to ganja prohibition
http://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/02/near-total-opposition-to-cannabis.html
Cannabis usage in 19th century India: Unheeded warnings regarding the harms of alcohol
http://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/01/alcohol-and-cannabis-comparison-in.html
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2022/01/draft-cannabis-policy-for-india-2022.html
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-harm-reduction.html
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-brain.html
Cannabis and the Heart
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-heart.html
Cannabis and the Liver
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-liver.html
Cannabis Opposition
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/05/cannabis-opposition.html
Cannabis Laws
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-laws.html
Cannabis and Crime
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-crime.html
Cannabis Advocacy
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-advocacy.html
Cannabis convictions and imprisonment
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-convictions-and-imprisonment.html
Cannabis and the Black Market
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-black-market.html
Cannabis and Driving
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-driving.html
Cannabis and Law Enforcement
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-law-enforcement.html
Cannabis and Pharma Companies
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-pharma-companies.html
Cannabis and Youth
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/03/cannabis-and-youth.html
Cannabis and Anxiety
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-anxiety.html
Cannabis and Obesity
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-obesity.html
Cannabis and Pain
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-pain.html
Cannabis and PTSD
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-ptsd.html
Cannabis and the Elderly
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-elderly.html
The Recreational Cannabis Consumer
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-recreational-cannabis-consumer.html
The History of Cannabis
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-history-of-cannabis.html
Cannabis and Social Consumption Areas
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-social-consumption-areas.html
Cannabis and the Film Industry
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-film-industry.html
Cannabis and Musicians
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-musicians.html
Cannabis and Sports Persons
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-sportspersons.html
Cannabis Tourism
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-tourism.html
Cannabis and Scientists
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-scientists.html
Cannabis and Cooking
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-cooking.html
Cannabis Events
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-public-events.html
Cannabis in the Workplace
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-in-workplace.html
Recreation is Medicine with cannabis
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2017/12/recreation-is-medicine.html
Cannabis and the Environment
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2018/10/cannabis-and-environment.html
Cannabis as an Agricultural Crop
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2018/10/cannabis-as-agricultural-crop.html
Cannabis as Medicine
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2018/10/cannabis-as-medicine.html
Cannabis for Recreational Purposes
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2018/10/cannabis-for-recreational-purposes.html
The Business of Cannabis
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-business-of-cannabis.html
The Economics of Cannabis
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-economics-of-cannabis.html
The Legality of Cannabis
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-legality-of-cannabis.html
The Politics of Cannabis
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-politics-of-cannabis.html
The Social Usage of Cannabis
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-social-usage-of-cannabis.html
No medicinal value?
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/02/no-medicinal-value.html
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2020/06/with-no-scientific-basis-global-drug.html
A Look At The NDPS Act 1985 From A Cannabis Perspective
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-look-at-ndps-act-1985-from-cannabis.html
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2020/03/cannabis-usage-in-19th-century.html
19th Century usage of cannabis as medicine by Indian physicians
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2020/03/19th-century-usage-of-cannabis-as.html
Cannabis and Insanity
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2020/11/cannabis-and-insanity.html
References to medicinal cannabis in ancient texts
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2020/03/references-to-medicinal-cannabis-in.html
Cannabis and the Digestive System
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2020/03/cannabis-and-digestive-system.html
Cannabis as Universal Medicine
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-as-universal-medicine.html
The impact of cannabis on traditional competition
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-impact-of-cannabis-on-traditional.html
Cannabis Markets
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-markets.html
Cannabis Pricing Revenue and Taxes
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-pricing-revenue-and-taxes.html
Cannabis Retail
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-retail.html
Cannabis Beverages
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-beverages.html
Cannabis and the Media
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-and-media.html
Cannabis Branding and Advertising
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-branding-and-advertising.html
Cannabis Biology
https://ravingkoshy.blogspot.com/2019/04/cannabis-biology.html
No comments:
Post a Comment