48
Answer No. 68.
20. Eight hundred and fifty-one.
(a) Combatants
826
(b) Non-combatants
1
(c) Authorised camp followers
24
Smoke ganja—
Muhammadans 5 per cent.
Hindus 5 per cent.
Bengalis 20 per cent.
Other castes 2 per cent.
Smoke charas—
None in regiment.
Eat bhang—
Muhammadans 3 per cent.
Hindus 3 per cent.
Bengalis all.
Other castes 1 per cent,
Drink bhang—
Same.
N. B.—As a rale bhang would seem to be more
usually drunk mixed with milk and sugar, but it
is eaten occasionally instead of drunk in the cold
season.
25. As far as I can ascertain it seems neither to
have increased or decreased in the regiment during
the last ten years.
Ganja—3 pies a day for 2 smokes.
Charas—6 pies a day for 2 smokes.
Bhang—3 pies bhang, 1 pie milk, 1 pie sugar, for
one drink.
Ganja and charas are smoked from two to four
times a day.
Bhang as a rule is only taken once.
32. There are no customs that I know of among
the Madrasis in regard to the consumption of
these drugs, but at the Bengali Holi festival in
March bhang is always drunk.
33. There is not thought to be any harm in the
drinking of bhang; it is supposed, if anything, to
have a beneficial effect.
The smoking of ganja is looked upon as bad and
that of eharas as a worse habit.
The smoking of ganja and charas is looked upon
in disrepute, as it is a habit which when once ac-
quired cannot be given up. And unless a man can
get his ganja daily he is useless for work, though
provided he can get his daily smoke it does not
seem to do the moderate, consumer any harm.
The Bengalis, I believe, worship the plant at their
Holi festival.
39. Smoking of ganja or charas is more injuri-
ous than drinking bhang: the former habit cannot
be left off, the latter can.
41. Natives consider that smoking ganja is a
preventive of disease caused through drinking bad
water, though I cannot say if such is really the
case.
42. The moderate use of smoking does not seem
to affect the efficiency of the men, and if anything
there is less sickness amongst consumers. If, how-
ever, the smoker cannot procure the drug for even
one day he becomes absolutely incapable and does
not seem to know what he is doing, nor is he
capable of any work until he has obtained the drug
again. The moderate use of bhang I believe to be
quite harmless.
43. Quite inoffensive to their neighbours.
44. Drinking bhang gives increased strength
to undergo hardship or fatigue; it acts as a stimu-
lant. It can produce intoxication, a dram being
sufficient to intoxicate a non-consumer; a moderate
consumer would take about four drams before being
intoxicated.
It does not alleviate hunger in any form, but the
smoking dulls and the drinking of the drug creates
appetite.
The after-effects last about five hours after
drinking, and about two hours after smoking.
The want of smoking produces subsequent un-
easiness, but not so the want of drinking.
45. Bhang and ganja do not produce any noxi-
ous effects in moderation, but charas is noxious
even in moderation.
The moderate use does not impair the constitu-
tion.
Smoking causes loss of appetite. Drinking im-
proves appetite.
In excess may cause bronchitis and asthma, not
dysentery.
Excessive use produces laziness, but not immoral-
ity or debauchery.
I have not seen any case of undoubted insanity
produced by it, but cases of delirium and coma
and epilepsy, attributed to continued excessive use
of this drug, have sometimes come under my
observation. One case, however, resembling mild
mania occurred more than a year ago, as the regi-
ment was embarking for Burma, which was attri-
buted to Indian hemp; but as he was left behind
for treatment, I am unable to discuss the further
symptoms. He was drowned on the way over to
rejoin the regiment, but whether accidentally or
suicidally has not been ascertained.
It stupefies the intellect in excess.
The medical history sheets of the regiment do not
furnish any information on this subject.
46. No further information to give on the sub-
ject.
49. Not as far as I can ascertain.
51. As a rule the men who use the drug are bad
characters, that is to say, men who smoke ganja
or charas, but it does not seem to have any connec-
tion with crime itself or to be any incentive to it.
That is to say, a bad character who takes to smok-
ing ganja does not seem to be made any the worse
character by it.
53. No.
of this regiment, an excessive
consumer of the drug, was admitted to hospital
temporarily insane from reputed excessive con-
sumption. He was treated in the Madras Hospital,
and when discharged as cured and sent to rejoin
his regiment in Burma he fell over board and was
drowned: whether it was accident or whether he
committed suicide I cannot say.
54. No.
55. Not used.
A man could be made completely intoxicated by
the use of the drug.