24
Answer No. 34.
20. (a) Combatants—
Dogras
342
Sikhs
228
Panjabi Mussalmans
228
Pathans
114
TOTAL
912
(6) Non-combatants
2
(c) Authorised camp fol-
lowers
120
Charas-smokers—
(a) Combatants—
Dogras
4
Pathans
3
Panjabi Mussalman
1
(b) Non-combatants
(c) Authorised camp
followers
Panjabi Mussalman 1
No ganja-smokers.
24. No eaters.
Drinkers—
Sikhs (usually in the hot weather only)
15
Pathans
3
Panjabi Mussalman
1
25. Ganja is not used at all. The use ot char-
as and bhang is on the decrease.
No particular reason assignable.
28. Bhang, 1/2 a ckittack, and charas 6 ratis,
each costing 1 pice daily.
32. No par tular customs, either social or
religious, appe a to prevail in regard to these
drugs.
33. As generally injurious; bhang the least so,
and ganja the most. I do not consider that any
opinion can be said to prevail, though it is ad-
mitted that the consumption of these drugs is to
be condemned owing to their hurtful effects on
the system in the long run.
Certain classes of Hindu mendicants regard
the hemp plant with religious veneration; as they
also do other plants, such as sweet basil and
dhatura, and make it an object of worship, but I
am unable to obtain any detailed information
respecting such customs.
39. No: smoking is said to be the more in-
jurious.
That is the result of my inquiries.
41. No beneficial effects from the use of any one
of them.
42. The moderate use of any of these drugs
cannot be considered harmless, inasmuch as such
moderate use cannot be maintained, but degenerates
into excess to a greater or less extent.
43. Yes.
44. It produces intoxication and has an inju-
rious effect on the appetite, which it does not
stimulate, though it cannot be said to allay
hunger. The effects do not last long and are
followed by feelings of uneasiness and desire for
further use of the drug.
45. I have never had any men under my care
suffering from the effects of Indian hemp used
either habitually or occasionally. I know of only
one man who was said to have been a habitual
consumer of the drug. He was often in hospital
for ague and debility, but I noticed nothing else
wrong with him; he has lately gone on pension. I
have heard that a few Pathans and Sikhs take the
drug now and again, but more as a medicine for
pains in bowels and diarrhœa.
The continued use of the drug is said to pro-
duce bodily and mental weakness, and also weakens
the constitution; an occasional dose is said to in-
crease the appetite. But continued use causes
loss of appetite.
Medicinally it is sometimes useful in diarrhoea
and dysentery, but its continued use is said to
cause dysenteric symptoms.
I cannot say whether it impairs the moral sense
or induces habits of laziness or habits of immorality,
etc. It is said to dull the intellect and cause loss
of memory, and also in some instances to cause
insanity. I have never seen a case of insanity
following the use of the drug, so cannot say
much about it.
46. I have never seen any men suffering from
the excessive habitual use of the drug, so can say
nothing about it.
49. No.
51. This is not a question upon which I can
give an answer based on any valid information;
the general opinion appears to be that as these drugs
have an enervating effect on their consumers, the
use of them is inconsistent with the interests of
bad characters resorting to crimes of violence, etc.
53. No to both queries.
54. No.
55. It is quite feasible for designing persons
to produce such an amount of intoxication in
their victims as to facilitate the perpetration
of crime.
Complete stupefaction can be induced.
Answer No. 35.
20. (a) Combatants —
Gurkhas
902
Hindustanis
8
TOTAL
910
(6) Non-combatants—
Hindustanis.
3
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Gurkhas
8
Hindustanis
20
TOTAL
28
24. None.
25, 28 and 32. No instances having been
brought to my notice of men using these drugs
I am unable to express an opinion.
33. From enquiry amongst the native officers
of the regiment, there does not seem to be any
opinion adverse or favourable to the use of these
drugs amongst Gurkhas. Gurkhas do not worship
the hemp plant.
39, 41, 42, 43 and 44. See reply to query
No. 25.
45. No cases have come under observation in