PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882
5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
24
40. Mr. 8. D., Mahawalatenne, says: "Kausa, the name by which bhang is known here, is hardly ever used here for any other except purely medicinal pur poses. Prepared bhang, such as indak lidbu, subjee, and ganja or majoon, is "unknown in this district, except to the Hindu mendicants, Brahamins, Arabs, and Afghans, who pass through the country now and again. They use it, but it is used hardly ever by any Sinhalese or native residents of any other nationality.
64
66
(2.) Bhang is grown in almost every village, a tree or two in a garden, for the sake of its leaves, the juice of which, combined with the juice of other vegetable leaves, is much used as a vehicle for medicinal pills and powders. It is also used in small doses with other drugs as a vermifuge and febrifuge for diarrhoea, indigestion, nausea and vomiting, chronic bowel complaints, and nervous debility. It is given with other drugs, even to small infants, for worm and such other complaints. It is never used alone or as an intoxicating agent in this district. Long time back I have known a few who smoked bhang with tobacco and other stuff, but now it is not so used. This is a plant which is said to be much used, and with success, in native medioine."
"The use of Tailam, legiam, and mada-all these preparations of a combination of bbang and opium with other ingredients--is not known in my korles, but I have seen it elsewhere, and there I have found out is not used as a medicine or for any good purpose, but as an aphrodisiac and an intoxicating agent, and such other wicked purposes. When once addicted to the use of these drugs, I have heard the people who use it themselves say that it cannot be given up. The use of these drugs is really a great evil, and I am glad that these drugs are still unknown here."
41
Subjee," the preparation of bhang and the favourite intoxicating drink of the alcohol hating Mohamedans, is not used by the Moormen here on account of their poverty.
'Opium and bhang, mixed
41. Mr. Rudd, superintendent of police, Galle, says: "with spices, ghes, sugar, and so on, and heated in an iron pan over the fire into a "thick mass, is called lequjam, sad is usually sold illicitly in pellets to approved
"
customers.
"There is a legal difficulty in proving that this compound contains opium or bhang. Bhang, or rather the ganja (fresh leaves of Indian hemp), boiled with ripe plantains in milk with spices, &c., and taken in doses of a teacupful, causes helpless intoxication, and is known as subjee.
"The dried leaves of the ganja (Indian hemp) cut into shreds and mixed with tobacco are not unusually smoked by those addicted to the use of ganja.
44
Ganja consumed in this form is popularly supposed to be more hurtful to the brain and nervous system than in any other.
"Two constables at Jaffna, who used ganja in this manner, were periodically 'peculiar in their behaviour. One of them only indulged in the drug at rare intervals, and used to wander about talking aloud at night, being unable to sleep when under its influence."
*
The other (a coast Moorman) grew insane and had to be discharged, as he was extremely useless, irritable, and quarrelsome, and laboured under the delusion that he possessed considerable sums of money which his comrades used to steal.”
42. Mr. Le Mesurier, Assistant Government Agent, Matara, says: “For bhang, I "have not a good word to say. I believe it is very harmful, and should like to see it
prohibited altogether."
"I
43. Mr. G. W. Templer, Government Agent, Eastern Province, says: "The same men who were licensed to sell opium last year were licensed to sell ganja aswell. "There are about 25 people who smoke it in Batticaloa. Nearly half are Tamils, "half are Moors. It is used mixed with native tobacco and rolled in dry cocoanut ⚫ leaves.
“ Ita effects are similar to those produced on a person by the use of liquor. Women do not use it.' There are different qualities of ganja; those without seed sell best.
What is sold here is mostly with seed. These seeds are taken and planted by the Natives, especially in the interior. The leaves are then dried and amoked with native tobacco. The use of ganja is spreading among the Tamil classes,
44. Bhang may be accepted as being useful as a medicine, but wholly injurious otherwise, and any restrictions that could be placed on its use would be advisable. But I confess that I am unable to see what restrictions can be placed on its use. plant from which it is made is a most common production in nearly every garden. and were that special plant suppressed, a dozen others would serve equally well for its
The
25
manufacture. I believe that any attempt to suppress its use would have the effect of rather increasing it. At present some people at least spend money on its acquisition, but were the sale of it stopped altogether its growth, manipulation, and use, would become habitual among the class only certain individuals of which now use it. This, I believe, was experienced in British Guiana, when at attempt was made to restrict its use among the coolies there.
45. I regret that time has not permitted me to make a more perfect report and more complete returns. I believe, however, that the most elaborate inquiry could only arrive at the same conclusions as may be deduced from the reports from which I have quoted, and which I attach in original.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.
APPENDIX A.
I have, &c.
L. F. KNOLLYS, Inspector-General of Police..
PARTICULARS of SALES of OPIUM at LICENSED SHOPS in PRINCIPAL TOWNS during 24
2umber
of
Hours.
Purchasers.
Of this Total-
Bew
How
Norm-
Provines.
|Bhoga In
Pro- vines.
*Mama of Town.
Popula Mon
bar of
Shops
How
Jons. Tamila. Others. Total.
Town.
71
Western
19 Colombo
Conten
14 Kandy
196,20
26.371
196
304
$13
Northern
Bouthern
Galle
+
Trim
11,000
4,745
Hasters
North-western
North Central
U'r. เ
Babaragamuw
Total
"
+
7
~
11
1
1
13
*
.
APPENDIX B.
.
1
12
1W
177
PARTICULARS of Sales of BHANG at LICENSED SHOPS in PRINCIPAL Towns during 24 Hours.
of
Name of
Province.
Shops in
Town.
Popula ber of
tion.
Shops
vinos.
Town.
Wandern
1 Colombo
15 Kundy
190,000
SALUTE
10
Northern
Bossberm
Huskers
Bella
11,000
North-western
North Carton!
•
1.308
Uvm
4,000
Sabaragamus
Trial
Ratanpara
8,000
•
B
11
14
-
Parsbasera
Of this Trial
How
12
* 2 1 1 ~ #
F
U $9300.
D
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.