75
or 7 per cent. of them drink bhang during the
hot season, as a stimulant like tea, which they
substitute for it in the winter. None of them eat
bhang.
25. Bhang is used as a prophylactic against bad
water by the Sikhs. Its use appears to be neither
on the increase nor decrease.
28. Bhang—90 grains per diem, at a cost of 1/3rd
pie. Charas—45 grains, cost 1 anna.
32. The hemp plant, like dhatura, is said to be
sacred to Sheo, a Hindu deity. The Mussalmans
have no social nor sacred custom referring to it.
33. Mussalmans regard its use in moderation
even as degrading, but Sikhs and Hindus only
do so when it is used in excess.
39. Apparently it is, as the intoxicating effects
of charas smoked are much more evanescent than
those of bhang drunk.
41. I do not think so.
42. There is always the danger of the habit of
charas-smoking becoming the master of the man
using the drug. The Sikhs use bhang very much
as tea is drunk during the hot season. They say
it increases the appetite. Charas is used as a
means of intoxication, but the after-effects are un-
pleasant.
43. Yes.
44. Bhang.—It is said to be refreshing, to allay
hunger and produce appetite. Its effects last three
or four hours. Charas produces intoxication and
its after-effects are similar to those of a debauch—
dry mouth and no appetite. The want of subse-
quent gratification produces a longing.
45. Yes, in the case of charas, which is used as
an intoxicant pure and simple. Bhang-drinking
does not seem to have the same deleterious effect.
Yes, habitual charas-smoking weakens the lungs
and tends to chronic bronchitis and asthma. It
creates a false appetite, with subsequent dyspepsia,
bronchitis and asthma, the result of bronchitis.
I have no proof of its causing dysentery. Yes, it
is used as an aphrodisiac; is used by gamblers and
persons of indifferent character generally. I have
known no case in the regiment where the effects
on the mental faculties were sufficiently marked
to attract attention. The above remarks refer ge-
nerally to camp followers, who have always a tend-
ency to go on from the moderate to the immoder-
ate use of the drug. In my experience it takes
the place that alcoholic spirits do in England,
and like them does a great deal of harm when used
in excess, which appears to be the general tendency
as far as this drug is concerned.
No cases.
46. There are no habitual excessive users of the
drug in the regiment known to me.
49. Charas is, but bhang is said to act in the
opposite way.
51, 53, 54 and 55. Not known
Answer No. 110.
20. (a) Combatants—
Muhammadans
570
Hindus
342
TOTAL
912
(b) Non-combatants—
Muhammadans
63
Hindus
83
TOTAL
146
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Muhammadans
7
Hindus
39
TOTAL
46
Smoke charas or ganja—
(a) Combatants—
Muhammadans
25 per cent
Hindus
15
"
(5) Non-combatants
Muhammadans
63 "
Hindus
83
"
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Muhammadans
7 "
Hindus
39
"
Drink bhang
(a) Combatants—
Muhammadans
25 per cent.
Hindus
25
"
(b) Non-combatants—
Muhammadans
63
"
Hindus
83
"
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Muhammadans
7 "
Hindus
39
"
Eat bhang—
(a) Combatants—
Hindus
5 per cent.
(b) Non-combatants—
Hindus
5
"
(c) Authorized camp followers—
Hindus
5
"
25. The use of charas is on the increase, owing to
its cheapness.
28. Bhang—1 tola, 2 pice.
Charas—2 masa, 6 pice.
Ganja—11/2 masa, 1 anna.
32. During the Hindu festivals Holi, Dewali,
Dasahra, bhang is consumed by Hindus, and ganja,
charas, bhang by men of low caste, such as Kahars
Dhobis, Syces, etc.
33. Consumption of charas is regarded as a bad
habit; bhang is taken by high-caste men with-
out reproach.
The men in the Native Army consider the taking
of drugs a bad habit, as ganja and charas affect the
lungs and bhang causes dyspepsia.
The hemp plant is not worshipped.
39. Smoking preparations of the hemp plant is
more injurious than eating or drinking it,
Smoking affects the lungs. Eating and drinking
it cause dyspepsia.
41. Only in the case of bhang: this if drunk in
small quantities acts as a tonic and is useful in
some intestinal derangements.
42. Ganja and charas not being beneficial, a
moderate use of these drugs is harmful, as it pro-
duces lung disease.
43. Moderate consumers of bhang are inoffen-
sive to their neighbours, but those who indulge in
ganja and charas-smoking are apt to be quarrel-
some.
L 2