118
41. No A man may take of all three in
moderation when tired and worn out; this will
stimulate at first and then cause a deep sleep,
but in the morning he will feel the evil effects. An
habitual moderate use of these drugs is very rare.
The longer a man takes them, the more often will
he do so, increasing the amount.
42. No, the moderate use is harmful, as it be¬
comes a habit not to be shaken off. The drugs
also weaken the body by emaciation, and the senses
become dull.
43. Moderate consumers are not as a rule offen¬
sive.
44. It acts as an almost immediate stimulant.
It is not refreshing.
It does not produce intoxication.
It does not allay hunger.
It does create appetite.
A man will feel the effects till the evening if he
consumes in the morning, or till the morning if
he consumes in the evening.
He will become lazy and slack.
If consumption is suddenly stopped, it is hurt¬
ful, and great longing will be entailed with un¬
easiness.
45. My experience is too limited to allow of my
making any statements with regard to the ques¬
tions asked.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
From my experience as medical officer of Colaba
Lunatic Asylum, I can say that I have seen cases
of insanity arising from over-indulgence: in some
it has been the exciting cause, in others it has been
the predisposing cause of hitherto latent insanity:
the insanity is generally mania with often homi¬
cidal tendencies—most often temporary in kind—
may be reinduced by use of drug after liberation
from restraint.
Yes, in many cases; but the insanity may not
be in any way connected with indulgence in the
drug.
I cannot say.
I have no evidence to this effect. I have never
seen any cases in any regiment I have served with.
46. My experience of the use of the drug is
all stated in question No. 45.
49. Yes, it is used most commonly as an aphro¬
disiac.
51. Yes, it inclines to crime. If a man wishes
to commit a crime, he, as a rule, intoxicates him¬
self with a drug preparatory to committing it.
53. Certainly excessive indulgence would have
this effect, as a man's head is filled with a thousand
thoughts and ideas after consumption of these
drugs.
54. Yes.
55. Yes, this is frequently done. Yes, but as a
rule majum is given.
Answer No. 175.
20. (a) Combatants
926
(b) Non-combatants
2
(c) Authorised (public) camp
followers
23
(a) Gurkhas are not addicted to smoking
ganja and charas.
(b) The 2 non-combatants (Hospital Assistants)
do not smoke either
(c) As regards the camp followers, I am unable
to ascertain that any of them are ganja or charas-
smokers.
24. They neither eat nor drink bhang, nor is
there any necessity nor excuse for their doing so,
as they are able to procure good wholesome rum
from their own regimental canteen.
25. Certainly on the decrease as far as I can
gather. Formerly there were a very few men who
were given to charas-smoking, but apparently there
are none now. Great pains have been taken to
ascertain the truth upon this point, and I am
satisfied that the information furnished to me is
correct.
25. There being no habitual moderate consum¬
ers, this question cannot, of course, be answered.
32. There are none as far as Gurkhas are
concerned.
33. The consumption of any of these drugs is,
in Gurkha regiments, altogether disapproved of
and discountenanced. The use of any form of the
narcotic is generally held in disrepute amongst
Gurkha soldiers, as being conducive to loss of
brain and nerve power, waste of stamina and
physique, and as being calculated to unfit a man's
nerves for the strain and excitement of battle.
There is a very sacred Hindu shrine at Ambar-
nath in Kashmir, and men of the regiment who
have visited it have been directed to present pieces
of the hemp plant as part of their offerings to
Shivji.
39. There being no regular consumers of the
hemp plant in any form in this regiment, this
question cannot be answered.
41. No, not in my opinion; and this seems to
be the opinion of the native officers, who are alto¬
gether averse to its use in any shape or form.
42. It is my impression, as well as the general
opinion amongst Gurkhas, that the use of any of
these drugs is not beneficial, but, on the contrary,
decidedly injurious, for the reasons given in my
answer to question No. 33.
43. I cannot answer this, as we have no ex¬
perience to guide us.
44. Want of experience precludes answers to
these queries.
45. I consider they have an injurious effect.
In many ways.
Most certainly.
Certainly predisposes to bronchitis.
Probably
It sharpens the intellect, but causes excitement,
tending to delirium.
I have not observed that insanity occurs.
I cannot say; but doubtless persons deficient
in moral control are liable to indulge in narcotics
and stimulants.
I have no records, nor are any cases noted in the
medical history sheets of this regiment, regard¬
ing men addicted to charas, bhang, etc.
46. I have had little personal experience, in re¬
ference to this point, and am unable to discuss the
matter.