99
32. I know of none.
33. The consumption of these drugs is con¬
sidered generally to be bad for the health in the
long run by the natives.
It is customary on the Shivratri festival for
ganja-smokers to repair to the temple of
Mahadeo and there smoke ganja.
39. Smoking is the most injurious form of con¬
sumption, as it gets sooner into the system.
41. It is not beneficial.
42. The moderate use for the time being is ap¬
parently harmless, but habitual consumers bear the
appearance of premature age after years of con¬
sumption (personal observation).
43. Yes.
44. (1) Refreshing and non-intoxicant, if taken
in small quantities.
(2) Supposed both to allay hunger when food
is not procurable, and also to act as an appetiser.
(3) The effect lasts for two or three hours.
(4) No.
(5) Abstinence to a confirmed smoker is keenly
felt.
45. (1) I cannot call to my mind any cases
where the habitual moderate use proved injurious.
(2) It deadens the sensations of hunger.
(3) Natives say it causes asthma. I do not
know of its bringing on dysentery or bronchitis.
(4) No.
(5) It does produce insanity, when used in large
quantities, mania and dementia. In regimental
hospitals occasionally occur cases of acute mania
with violence due to ganja; these men are violent
and have sometimes homicidal tendencies, at other
times their language is obscene.
Fakirs and devotees usually acknowledge the
use of the drug; sepoys rarely, unless they
desire discharge.
The latter portion of the questions can only be
properly answered by the medical officer of an
asylum.
46. The habitual use of these drugs in excess
is bad for body and mind: it causes furious delirium
of a homicidal variety, and after a while the per¬
son becomes broken down, insane or prematurely
aged.
[Questions 45 and 46 answered by Medical
Officer.]
49. Occasionally used as an aphrodisiac.
51. The regiment does not contain bad charac¬
ters in a sufficient quantity to enable a reply to
this question being made with any certainty.
53. Incites to "running amuck."
(1) No.
54. Yes.
55. I am unable to reply to this question.
Answer No. 145.
20. (a) Combatants—
Sikhs
551
Muhammadans (remainder)
165
TOTAL
716
(b) Non-combatants
12
(c) Authorised camp followers
298
(a) Combatants—
About 10 or 12 troopers smoke ganja.
(b) Non-combatants—
Nil.
(c) Authorised camp followers—
About 3 or 4 syces smoke ganja.
24. Nearly all the Sikhs drink bhang—about 165.
25. The use of ganja is on the decrease, pro¬
bably owing to the increased consumption of
spirit.
Charas is not used in the regiment.
Bhang—All the Sikhs drink bhang; its use is
on the decrease owing to expense.
28. Ganja—About one tola can be procured for
one pie.
Bhang—A moderate consumer would drink
about 4 annas worth, which is the cost when made
up ready for drinking.
32. Children are given a small amount of bhang
at the time of circumcision.
The Sikhs drink bhang on all their feast days.
The Muhammadans never use it or any other
drink on these occasions.
33. The consumption of bhang is looked upon
with much favour by the Sikhs, as it enables them
to undergo the vicissitudes of change of climate
without harm, also to undergo privations, and as an
appetiser.
The Muhammadans are against the use of all
intoxicants; they are prohibited in the Koran.
There is no custom of worshipping the hemp
plant.
39. Smoking the hemp plant is more injurious
than eating or drinking preparations of the hemp
plant, as the former acts on the nerves very
quickly.
41. The effects of charas are not known.
Ganja is an appetiser in small quantities.
The moderate use of bhang is found most bene¬
ficial.
42. See 41.
48. Yes, they are inoffensive.
44. Charas is unknown.
Ganja is very refreshing; it excites, but not
intoxicates. It does not allay hunger, but creates
an appetite. The effect of using one "masha"
of ganja lasts about fourteen minutes. Men feel
stronger after consuming it, but a desire is
created for more after consumption.
Bhang is very refreshing, and in moderate quanti¬
ties tends to clear the intellect and promote digestion;
it allays hunger. The effect of bhang lasts about
six hours. Taken in moderation, no injurious
after-effects are produced. It does not create a
desire to take more or uneasiness.
45. I have never known any noxious effects pro¬
duced by the habitual moderate use of these drugs,
and have never known any man in this or other
regiments affected by the habitual moderate use.
I have not seen a case.
I have never known such results.
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