20
Answer No. 29.
20. The total strength of the corps is 726,
composed of the undermentioned castes:—
1. Pardesi Brahmans.
142
"
Thakurs
63
"
Ahirs, Gorodias, and
311
Passis
100
"
Bhois
6
2. Marathas
228
236
Do. Brahmans
8
236
3. Gujrathis
21
4. Mussalmans
144
5. Portuguese
2
6. Vacancies
12
TOTAL
726
(a) Combatants
698
(b) Non-combatants
28
(c) Authorised camp followers
TOTAL
726
Gania is smoked by—
Marathas
12
Mussulmans
17
Pardesi Thakurs
9
"
Ahir, Gorodias, and Passis
11
" Bhois
6
TOTAL
55
Charas is smoked by none.
24. The numbers of caste that (a) eat or (b)
drink bhang are as follows:—
Pardesi Brahmans
21
"
Ahirs, Gorodias, and Passis
5
Total
26
25. The use of ganja and bhang is on the
decrease owing to its dearness. Charas is not used
because it is not obtainable.
28. The average allowance and cost to a habi-
tual moderate consumer is—
Bhang—per diem 1 pice (3 pies) worth, weighing
2 tolas.
Ganja — per diem 2 pice (or 6 pies) worth, weigh-
ing 1 tola.
32. I only know that it is a social custom. If
religious also, I am not aware of it.
33. The use of these drugs is considered by the
consumers to counteract the effects of bad water,
but this is a subterfuge used for novices to induce
them to the use of the drugs. It is held in dis-
repute, owing to their effects making a man to talk
and chatter away all sorts of things. In fact the
narcotic effects of these drugs will lead the con-
sumer to become a mischievous and a dangerous
character. I do not know if there is a custom of
worshipping the hemp plant.
39. By smoking—it is more injurious than by
eating or drinking the same drug, as it acts in-
stantly on the brain of the smoker and makes him
seedy
41. The moderate use of bhang may be bene-
ficial in some cases, but not in general.
42. The use of these drugs is harmless for
diarrhoea and want of sleep, but ganja injures the
constitution.
43. Yes, inoffensive, but not as a rule.
44. The use of bhang and ganja soothes the
spirit.
(2) The use of bhang is refreshing when taken
in moderation.
(3) Yes. It produces intoxication.
(4) It does allay hunger at first and after some
time it creates appetite.
(5) The effects of bhang last for about six hours
and that of ganja two to three hours.
(6) The after-effects of bhang and ganja to the
consumer are that it makes him dull and languid.
(7) Yes, the want of subsequent gratification
produces uneasiness and a longing to repeat the
dose.
45. (1) Yes, the habitual moderate use of these
drugs produces physical and mental noxious effects,
and sometimes affects the morals also.
(2) Yes, it does impair the constitution.
(3) Yes, it does injure the digestion first.
(4) Yes, ganja and bhang cause bronchitis
and asthma.
(5) It does impair the moral sense and induce
laziness, but not debauchery.
(6) It produces insanity, but it is temporary, as
in my experience, after some months.
Mania produces. Symptoms—sedatives to the
brain; some consumers laugh, dance, sing, and
to some produces sexual desires, more appetite, and
to others it produces energy, boldness for mis-
chief, quarrels, and acts of violence. To some it
produces a state of catalepsy.
(7) No cases of insanes confessing as to the use
of the drugs have come before me.
(8) The use of hemp will give temporary relief
to those suffering from mental anxiety; and that
indulgence of this drug used often may tend to
insanity to weakened persons.
I have not been acquainted with any case, nor
could trace from regimental sheet
46. The habit of these drugs could not be satis-
factory to the consumers, and that the use of it
would lead them to do mischief of all sorts.
[Questions 45 and 46 answered by the Hospital
Assistant.]
49. Not to my knowledge.
51. Not come within my knowledge.
53. The excessive indulgence in any of these
drugs will incite the consumer to unpremeditated
and violent crime, as I had experience of a sepoy of
my regiment who by excessive use of ganja-
smoking did acts of violence and homicidal frenzy.
Loading his musket, threatened to shoot his
Commanding Officer or any one who dared to
come near his door, which was kept closed from
inside. Subsequently the man was arrested, tried
and punished.
54. They may be used for that purpose, but I
have no certain knowledge on the subject.
55. As above. Complete stupefaction can be
produced by this drug (without admixture) to
those who are not habitual consumers, but to
produce that effect in habitual consumers, admix-
ture of dhatura or such like is, I believe, resorted
to.