51
The symptoms are likely to be reinduced at any
time by further excess.
I do not think that insanity from other causes
would produce a tendency to the use of the drug.
7. The case of
——,
lately sent to
Colaba, was, I believe, to a great extent the result
of excess in ganja.
Here was a young man of very fine physique
liable to outbreaks of temporary insanity at inter-
vals of several weeks. On the first few occasions
he was allowed to resume his duty after a few days'
detention in hospital, where he behaved quite
well.
Subsequently the attacks became more
frequent and lasted longer.
He admitted to the Hospital Assistant that on
each of these occasions he had been smoking
ganja.
Before leaving Aden he behaved quietly in
hospital for several weeks and appeared to be per-
fectly sane.
49. Yes.
51. (a) This does not appear to be always the
case.
(b) Crime is often attributable to its use,
especially insubordination, assault, suicide and
homicide.
53. Yes, I think so. I am of opinion that a
man under the influence of these drugs is incited
to acts of crime which were not premeditated.
In 1882 at Poona a sepoy of the regiment who
had been punished for a minor offence took his rifle
and ammunition, went to the Colonel's home
with the object of shooting him. He fired several
times, killing a syce.
In 1886 at Suakim a man of the regiment
committed suicide; there was no apparent motive
for his doing so.
Both these men were Hindus
of Hindustan (Pardesis) and were habitual ganja-
smokers.
54. I think so.
55. (a) This is not known.
(b) Not complete stupefaction.
Answer No. 73.
20. Total strength of the
regiment
911
(1 short).
Dogras
890
Muhammadans
8
In band.
Jat Sikhs
2
In band.
Other Hindus
5
In band.
Christians
6
In band.
TOTAL
911
(a) Combatants
911
(b) Non-combatants
2 Hospital
assistants
(c) Authorised camp followers . 53*
*Lascars
4
1 Purbia.
3 Dogras.
Bhistis
18
Jhewar.
Cooks
18
Jhewar.
Sweepers
10
Tindal
1 Ahir.
Chowdri
1 Baniya.
Mutsaddi
1 Brahman.
53
24. No one in the regiment will acknowledge
to eating or drinking bhang, nor is it known that
any one does so.
25. The majority of men questioned consider
the use of these drugs is on the increase. But no
apparently good reason is adduced save that of the
force of bad example. One native officer con-
sidered that the habit was only increasing amongst
those addicted to it, and that it failed to gain
more adherents.
One native officer believed that the growth of
education and the enhanced price of these drugs
was causing a diminution in their consumption.
28. It is impossible to answer this question
with any degree of accuracy. Certain classes of
fakirs take as much as they can get.
Other
consumers according to habit, probably none less
than a tola in weight, or two annas worth a day.
32. Amongst Dogras, there are no such cus-
toms excepting that at the Nirjala kalsi festival
the people make and drink a sort of sherbet of
bhang. But the custom among Dogras does not
appear to be prevalent.
33. Dogras consider the practice of eating, drink-
ing or smoking any of the drugs as bad in every
way. In the army the opinion is as adverse as can
be, and no man of any authority at all would
uphold it. This applies to the use of any form of
the narcotic, for the simple reason that no consumer
can possibly be proficient in the performance of his
duties.
Our men know of no custom of worshipping the
plant among any sects; certainly none exists among
Dogras.
39. The men I have questioned think smoking
is the most injurious. Their ideas are crude, but
they hold that the smoke, and presumably the
nicotine, pervades the whole system, even the brain,
and affects the organs injuriously. Moreover the
effects when smoked are instantaneous. These men
hold that smoking is worst, then chewing and
then drinking or eating. Their opinions, though,
are probably only based on casual observance and
not worth much.
41. One and all the men I questioned say no,
but most were agreed that the habit is one which
must grow, and therefore can only be moderate in
its initial stage, and then the effects are often as
great as a large dose would be to a confirmed
user.
42. From enquiries I made I imagine the effect
always to be harmful and deleterious on the blood,
but one witness held that if it could be possible
for a man to restrict himself to a very small
quantity, no harm would ensue.
43. Moderate consumers, if they existed, would
be inoffensive excepting that it is urged that the
habit is generally communicated. I mean a man
will not be content to take the drug alone but
will induce others to join him.
44. The effect as described to me would appear
to be a sort of numbness. For this reason
fakirs indulge greatly, as their asceticism is
thus greatly annulled. It is certainly not refresh-
ing; it does produce intoxication, though as a rule
without frenzy, excitement or exhilaration, i.e.,
mere stupefaction. It seems rather to produce than
to allay hunger. The effects may last from two
H 2