84
46. Habitual excessive use does without doubt
result in physical and moral deterioration. Physi-
cally its effects are impaired digestion, general debi-
lity, and a variety of nervous conditions, such as
insomnia, delirium when suffering from wild
attacks of fever, etc.
Morally I cannot judge of the effects. Mentally
also I think it deteriorates the functions, as a con-
firmed bhang consumer is invariably unintelligent
and slow in his nervous processes.
49. Not that I am aware of.
51. They say that fakirs and gypsies indulge
largely in these drugs. The chief reason given
was to prevent them feeling scarcity of food.
53. Not that I know of.
54. The native officers to whom I have referred
say it is not used in this way.
55. I do not know.
Answer No. 123.
20. (a) Combatants—
Panjabi Muhammadans
474
Hindustani
9
Sikhs
134
Other Hindus
7
(b) Non-combatants —
Muhammadans
1
Hindus
2
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Muhammadans
186
Hindus
400
None of the above smoke ganja. One Muhamma-
dan follower, and 9 Hindu followers smoke charas.
24. None of the above either (a) eat or (b)
drink bhang.
25. The use of these drugs is said to be on the
increase, but I am unable from my personal
knowledge to say why this is the case.
28. I am informed that the cost of charas per
diem to those few followers (noted in reply to
question 20) is about 1 anna.
32. Charas is said to be smoked at panchayats
(meetings to discuss social questions).
33. I cannot say.
I have not heard such an opinion expressed.
I do not know.
I am not aware of such a custom.
39. I cannot say.
41, 42 and 43. I have no experience.
44. I cannot say, having no personal experience
and being unable to obtain any reliable information
on the subject.
45. The cases I have seen shew no noxious
effects from the moderate use of these drugs.
I think not.
I have not noticed any injury to the digestion
or loss of appetite.
It does not cause dysentery or asthma, but I
believe it causes slight bronchial catarrh and
resulting cough.
I do not think the moderate use impairs the
moral sense or produces habits of immorality or
debauchery.
In the few cases I have seen there was no
impairment of the intellect or insanity.
I have no experience of insanity due to the use
of the drug.
In 111/2 years' service with native troops, I have
seen no cases of insanity due to the use of the
drug in any form.
There are no cases on record in the regiment,
and no cases have come under my notice during
the six years I have been in charge of the regi-
ment.
46. I have never met with any cases of the
habitual excessive use of the drug, and therefore
can give no opinion founded on personal experience.
[ Questions 45 and 46 answered by Medical
Officer.]
49 and 51. I do not know.
53. I do not know.
No such case has ever come under my notice.
54 and 55. I do not know.
Answer No. 124.
20. Total strength of regiment 892 fighting
men—
Panjabi Muhammadans
228
Pathans
208
Sikhs
456
(c) Authorised camp followers
48
None of these men smoke ganja or charas.
24. No men eat or drink bhang.
25. No men in my regiment are in the habit of
using any of these drugs.
28. No consumption.
32. None in this regiment.
33. The use of these drugs is strictly prohibited
in my regiment.
39. The hemp plant is not used in any'form.
41. Yes, from a medical point of view, when it
is used as a hypnotic.
42. Except from a medical point of view, its
use would not be beneficial.
43. I cannot say, its use in this regiment being
unknown.
44 Its immediate effect on the consumer is
intoxicating: it excites and then produces intoxi-
cation: it does not allay hunger, but creates
appetite: its effects last three or four hours, and
has no after-effects : its consumption leads to
longing for more.
45. Its use in moderate quantities tends to dull
the intellect : it does not impair the constitution;
it increases the appetite, but impairs digestion;
it tends to dysentery, but not bronchitis or asthma;
it tends to laziness and debauchery; it tends to
insanity.
No cases of insanity having occurred, the
medical officer is unable to give an opinion.
There is no record in the Medical History sheets.