62
25. Ganja and charas not consumed. Neither
increasing or decreasing in the case of bhang.
28. Ganja and charas not consumed. When
bhang is used the allowance is about 1/5th of an
ounce per month, it being taken only once or
twice in the month.
The cost is 1/4 to 1/2 anna per month.
32. Not known.
33. Ganja and charas are supposed to be inju-
rious if habitual: bhang also if habitual, but use-
ful if used only occasionally and medicinally.
The
above is the opinion in this battery. Habitual use
is in disrepute, as the man's nerves, feelings and
strength suffer thereby.
No custom of worshipping the hemp plant is
known of.
39. The smoking of ganja or charas is more
injurious than the drinking of bhang, as the
fumes of former act directly on the brain and
nerves, whereas the bhang diluted with water has
first to pass through the stomach and system be-
fore it can affect the nerves.
41. The very moderate and occasional use of
bhang is decidedly considered beneficial.
42. From my experience I should say that this
very moderate and occasional use of bhang is
harmless, as I have never noticed any one case of a
man being affected by it, and as a rule all the men
are subject to very severe physical work, and the
non-commissioned officer and senior gunners to
advanced intellectual strain also in professional sub-
jects.
43. I have not noticed this, nor, as far as I can
find, has any case arisen causing offence.
44. The effects of ganja and charas not known.
Very moderate use of bhang, as used in this
battery, appears refreshing. If taken to excess, it
would, of course, produce intoxication; it usually
acts as a tonic, though it is said it also sometimes
allays hunger. The habitual consumer is, I hear,
under the effects for four to six hours, but the
moderate consumer feels the effect only every tem-
porarily and feels no after-effects.
The habitual consumer does feel a longing for
it, but this longing does not pursue the moderate
consumer.
45. Yes. There is physical, mental and moral
degeneration.
Yes. It renders the person more liable to disease;
he has less recuperative power.
Causes loss of appetite.
Predisposes to diseases of
the respiratory
organs.
It impairs the moral sense and induces laziness.
It deadens the intellect, and it is said sometimes
to produce insanity. Does not know of a case in
which insanity was produced by the drug alone
but cases of insanity have sometimes a history of
ganja or charas-smoking.
It seems to be taken to produce intoxication
perhaps at first to allay mental anxiety, sometimes
as an aphrodisiac. Afterwards its use cannot be
discontinued without great effort.
No information on the subject can be found in
the medical history sheets.
46. The excessive use of these drugs produces
the same consequences as related in answer to
question 45, only in a more marked degree.
49. It is said it is, but I can find or hear of
no case to corroborate this.
51. I have no experience of this, though it is
natural to suppose bad characters cultivate bad
habits and that bad habits of this kind would lead
a man to commit crime
53. Yes. I should say it did: I know of no
case, however.
54. I know of no case to prove this.
55 I am told that extract of bhang is so used
and that complete stupefaction can thus be induced.
Answer No. 89.
20. (a)
Combatants—
Mussalmans
32
(b) Non-combatants—
Nil.
(c) Authorised
camp-followers—
Mussalmans
15
Hindus (Chamar caste)
18
(a) Combatants—Nil.
(c) Authorised camp-followers—50 per cent., but
only occasionally, as they cannot afford
to do so regularly.
24. Hindus only drink it.
25. No difference.
28. No habitual consumers.
32. Not known.
33. Regarded by Muhammadans as intemperance.
Offered to Shivaji by Hindus.
39. Bhang is least injurious; it acts as a tonic:
other preparations are supposed to induce heart-
disease.
41. Probably not.
42. Harmless if very moderate.
43. Yes.
44. It is refreshing.
Not in moderate quantities.
Charas and ganja allay hunger; bhang produces
appetite. Effect from one hour to one day.
Only slightly.
45. It causes loss of appetite.
It brings on asthma.
Yes. To a certain extent.
No.
Not known.
46. Not known.
49. No.
51. No evidence to show.
53. Not known.
54 and 55. No evidence on this point.