179
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Mussalmans
109
Hindus
180
TOTAL
289
The following are known to be regular con¬
sumers:—
Smoke ganja—
(a) Combatants—
Hindu
1
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Hindus
10
Charas is not used by any one in the regiment
to my knowledge.
24. Drink bhang—
Combatants—
Hindus
2
Authorised camp followers—
Hindus
2
25. Not on the increase, judging from informa¬
tion gathered.
28. From 3 to 6 mashas is the usual allow¬
ance of bhang, which is taken once a day.
The same quantity of ganja is the usual allow¬
ance a day, divided into two or three portions and
smoked at different times. Of these drugs 6 mashas
cost 1 pice, 12 mashas make 1 tola in weight.
32. Some Hindus, generally Brahmins, are in
the habit of. taking bhang to create hunger, on
occasions when they are invited to a big feast.
33. In the native army it is considered to be
degrading to get intoxicated; and the use of hemp
drugs as an intoxicant is looked on as that of the
poor and lower orders.
There is no custom of worshipping the hemp
plant or drug, as far as I am aware.
39. The use of bhang is considered the least harm¬
ful. It acts about half hour after being drunk, and
the intoxication lasts a couple of hours. The
smoking of ganja and charas is considered more
injurious, the latter particularly so, as it is weaken¬
ing, emaciates the body, and destroys sexual de¬
sire; for this reason many of the mendicants take
it.
41. Charas and ganja are mischievous in every
way. The moderate use of bhang is believed to
sharpen the eyesight, cure dysentery, and calm a
hasty temper.
42. There is supposed to be some good in bhang,
as already stated.
Charas and ganja taken in excess create mad¬
ness; and an instance of this is said to have oc¬
curred recently in this neighbourhood.
Charas withers the body, and causes lung
disease, even if taken in small quantities, so it is
believed.
43. Consumers of these drugs are inoffensive.
44. Bhang is exhilarating at the time, intoxi¬
cates and increases hunger.
Ganja and charas
intoxicate the moment they are smoked, and the
effect wears off under an hour. They redden the
eyes and lessen hunger.
The want of subsequent gratification produces
heaviness and dulness.
Bhang is believed to help digestion.
Ganja and charas are supposed to cause asthma
and bronchitis.
45. I have never known of any such case.
I have no reason to think so.
It has never come under my notice.
It is commonly supposed to predispose to
asthma after long continuance; but I have not
seen it myself.
I do not think so.
I have never met with any case of insanity
caused by ganja in the regiment, and, as far as I
can remember, I have only seen one case of intoxi¬
cation from ganja causing violence; it was in civil
practice and occurred after an excessive dose, in a
man unaccustomed to the drug.
I have had no experience in the matter, and am
unable to gain any reliable information about it.
There is no such case in the medical history
sheets of the regiment.
46. I have no knowledge of any such case.
[Questions 45 and 40 answered by Medical
Officer.]
49. Bhang is said to be used for this effect
sometimes.
51. Not supposed to be.
There appears to be no connection between crime
and these drugs.
53. No, so far as I am aware; but I have no
information on this question.
54. No, not supposed to according to some
opinions; but I have no reliable information on
this point.
55. It is said some dhatura is usually added
to these drugs so as to stupefy victims.
Answer No. 253.
20. Six hundred and twenty-five—
(a) Combatants
625
Muhammadans
262
Hindus
142
Sikhs
221
(b) Non-combatants
32
(c) Authorised camp followers
10
None.
24. Two or three Hindus drink it.
25. Not on the increase.
28. About 2 tolas, costs 1 anna.
32. None known.
33. As injurious.
In general disrepute.
It renders a man weak, and here is only used by
men of a low caste.
No, none.
39. Smoking is more injurious, as it is said to
injure the liver.
41. No.
42. No. The use makes a man lazy and
indolent.
43. Yes.
44. It produces exhilaration.
It is refreshing for a short time.
Produces slight intoxication.
Does not allay hunger.
Creates appetite.
Effects last for an hour or so.
Yes, produces a feeling of uneasiness.
45. None that I know of, except physically.
2 A 2