58
I have no experience of such cases. Not that I
know of.
Yes, in the above case the man admitted the use
of it.
I have not had sufficient acquaintance with cases
of insanes to justify me in drawing any conclu-
sions.
With reference to effect on digestion and appe-
tite, there is a man in this regiment who has been
known to drink four gallons of bhang water, and
then sit down and eat at a meal two pounds of
mutton and three pounds of flour.
I have had two or three cases of bronchitis with
symptoms of asthma in hospital which were un-
doubtedly caused by ganja-smoking. They re-
covered speedily when the drug was stopped.
A confirmed ganja-smoker or drinker in excess
is more likely to become mentally disturbed by
not getting his usual morning dose than by taking
an overdose.
46. The excessive smoking of ganja or charas
induces asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, mental
decay and moral aberrat i on. It often produces
diarrhœa with tenesmus. Impotence is common
among excessive smokers and drinkers; but this
may be due to habitual over-stimulation of the
genital organs. Insanity is also often seen. The
same results, including asthma and lung affections,
are seen in excessive drinkers; but it is very rare
to see a man broken down in health as the result
of drinking, whereas it is a common sequence to
excessive ganja or charas-smoking.
49. Yes; commonly.
51. No.
As far as this regiment is concerned, the use of
these drugs has no connection with crime in gene-
ral or crime of any special character.
53. Not within my experience of nearly thirty
years' service, but I think it extremely probable
that it would do so. I know of no such case.
54. Not as far as I am aware from my own
experience and that of native officers of experience
who have been consulted.
55. I have heard and read of such cases, but not
in the regiment.
Yes.
Answer No. 82.
20. (a) Combatants—
Mussalmans
853
(b) Non-combatants—
Nil.
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Mussalmans
40
Hindus .
15
TOTAL
65
About 50 of (a) smoke charas; ganja is not
smoked.
Some of the Hindus in class (c) drink bhang.
24. No combatants use bhang. Among camp
followers the Baniyas drink bhang.
25. Not on the increase in this regiment.
28. A few pice per diem for moderate or occa-
sional consumers, ranging to four annas for ex-
cessive consumers.
32. None among Pathans.
33. Generally regarded with disfavour. It is
against the tenets of the Muhammadan religion, as
tending to produce intoxication. There is no wor-
ship of the hemp plant among Mussalmans.
39 Cannot say. It is only smoked in this
regiment.
41. No; the general opinion is that it is detri-
mental in its effects.
42. Certainly not harmless; even moderate use
when of rare occurrence, produces intoxication.
43. No; they are inclined to be quarrelsome if
disturbed when under the influence of the drug.
44. For the habitual consumer a moderate use
of charas is refreshing, not intoxicating. It al-
lays hunger, but does not promote appetite. Its
effects last from one to two hours. The want of
it produces uneasiness.
45. The habitual moderate use of these drugs
does, I think, produce physical effects. They im-
pair the constitution by injuring digestion and
causing loss of appetite.
I have not known dysentery, bronchitis or
asthma caused by moderate use. Nor have I
known any case of insanity so caused.
I have not known any case in which recognisable
mental or moral effects could be attributed to
habitual moderate use.
This regiment has been only recently raised, and
no information on the subject can be obtained
from the medical history sheets.
46. By excessive use the digestive powers are
often completely destroyed, with, as a result, ema-
ciation and anæmia. Excessive use of any of the
hemp drugs, especially ganja, produces dysentery,
and I have known some cases of bronchitis which
seemed to be rightly attributed to the same cause.
Excessive use undoubtedly produces laziness and
mental slowness. I have known no case of in-
sanity so produced.
[Questions 45 and 46 answered by the Medical
Officer.]
49. It is said they are so used.
51. Yes; among Pathans, a large proportion of
bad characters are said to habitually smoke charas.
As far as I can learn, charas-smoking only pro-
duces sleepy intoxication.
53. (a) No; not for habitual consumers.
(b) No.
54. Used by Pathans, before a fight.
55. (a) Yes.
(b) Complete stupefaction is induced, when used
by men unaccustomed to charas.