103
Answer No. 152.
20. The total strength of the regiment is 625
men. The number of each caste or class is given
below:—
(a) Combatants—
Rajputs
246
Muhammadans
255
Brahmins
32
Khanazad
38
Rahbari
13
Jats
4
Mali
8
Kayasth
2
Katal
1
Gujars
12
Barber
1
Mahajan
1
Minas
8
Ahirs
4
TOTAL
625
(b) Non-combatants—
Nil.
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Brahmins
15
Dhoonsars
2
Mussalmans
10
IIajams (barbers)
10
Sakkas (bhisti)
30
Najars (carpenters)
2
Khanazads
2
Komhars
4
Ahirs
4
Malis
6
Mina
1
Jats
2
Gujars
2
Lohars
2
Rahbari
1
Dhobis
17
Mochis
3
Chamars
3
Khakrabs (sweepers)
22
Balai chakars
105
Chamar chakars
105
Dhanuka chakars
105
Sakligar
2
TOTAL
455
None smoke ganja or charas.
24. Five per cent. of each caste or class with the
exception of Muhammadans drink bhang. None
eat it.
25. Ganja and charas are not used at all. The
use of bhang is on the decrease, as under existing
military regulations, the use of all and any intoxi¬
cating drugs is prohibited.
28. The average allowance of bhang per diem
to habitual moderate consumers is 1/2 a chittack, cost
3 pies. Ganja and charas are not used.
32. Bhang is generally used as a drink on the
occasion of Holi festival as a social custom, and on
Shibratri (the worshipping day of the God "Ma-
hadeo") as a religious custom.
33. The consumption of each of these drugs is
generally regarded as harmful. This view is com¬
monly held by men in the native army here. The
use of any form of the narcotic is generally in
disrepute, because those who make use of it are
considered low in the eyes of the generality of the
people. There is no custom of worshipping the
hemp plant in this part of the country.
39. The smoking of any preparation of hemp
plant is the more injurious form of consumption
than drinking or eating the same, because the
former affects the brain and the nervous system
directly, while the latter only indirectly.
41. The moderate use of charas, ganja or bhang
is not considered beneficial in its effects.
42. Yes, the moderate use of any of these drugs
is considered harmful, as it would tend to weaken
the nervous and digestive system of the body.
43. Yes.
44. The immediate effect of the moderate use of
these drugs on the habitual consumer is refreshing,
creates appetite, produces sensation and intoxica¬
tion. Its effect lasts six or eight hours. The after
effects of these drugs are dullness, headache and
loss of appetite. The want of subsequent gratifi¬
cation does not produce any longing or uneasiness.
45. The habitual moderate use of ganja and
charas produces noxious effects.
It does impair the constitution.
It injures the digestion and causes loss of appe¬
tite. It causes dysentery, bronchitis and asthma.
It impairs the moral sense and induces laziness
and habits of immorality and debauchery. It
deadens the intellect through brain weakness and
produces insanity. In cases known to me where
it has produced insanity, it has appeared to me to
be merely exciting, as distinguished from the pre¬
disposing cause of insanity. It produces insanity
of the types of mania and dementia. It is some¬
times temporary, at others permanent. If tempo
rary, the symptoms may be reinduced by use of
the drug after liberation from restraint.
The typical symptoms are sleeplessness, dullness
and uneasiness of mind.
Insanes who have no recorded ganja history
sometimes confess to the use of the drug.
I am of opinion that in cases known to me the
use of the drug by persons suffering from mental
anxiety or brain diseases to obtain relief has been
sufficiently considered in explaining the connection
between insanity and the use of hemp.
As ganja and charas are not used by men in the
regiment, and no record of bhang-drinking persons
is maintained in the hospital, I am unable to trace
the information required. I have made the above
statement from my personal experience as an
Hospital Assistant in charge of the Civil and
Military Hospitals.
46. The habitual excessive use of any of these
drugs would produce the same effects as explained
in cases of persons making habitual moderate uses,
but with greater force.
49. Ganja and charas are used as an aphrodisiac.
[Questions 44, 45, 46 and 49 answered by
Medical Officer.]
51. A large proportion of bad characters are ha-
bitual consumers of these drugs. It has, however;
no connection with crimes in general or with crime
of any special character.
53, 54 and 55. No.