12
46. Vide answer to question 45.
[Questions 45 and 46 answered by Medical
Officer.]
49. Not known to be used as such.
51. Not known.
53. The effects of these drugs vary with differ-
Answer No. 17.
None of the above smoke ganja or charas.
24. In class (a) 75 Brahmans drink bhang.
These same men sometimes when pressed for time
eat it instead of preparing it for drinking.
25. The use of these drugs is on the decrease.
It has been found that since the establishment of
regimental schools, the use of these drugs
has greatly decreased and is decreasing daily. Men
in former days, when they were not required to
pass examinations for promotion, indulged in the
drugs to pass their time in pleasure, a certain
amount of which appears to be obtained from their
use. But, owing to the increased state of efficiency
now required from all ranks, men now devote their
leisure hours to study and the mastering of their
various duties.
28. The average cost per diem to a habitual
moderate consumer is about 2 pies for bhang, for
which he gets about 1/4 tola weight.
Ganja and charas are not used in this regiment,
it being composed of Brahmans.
32. These drugs are specially used by the wor-
shippers of the God Mahadeva, who is described as
being very fond of them. The custom appears to
be, that bhang mixed with various seeds is first
sprinkled over the idol, and the remains of the mix-
ture being drunk by the worshippers. Ganja and
charas are similarly mixed and shown to the idol
and then consumed by smoking. These two latter
drugs are, however, seldom used by Brahmans and
never by Kanaujya and Sarwaria Brahmans.
33. The consumption of these drugs is not
generally considered bad, but they are looked upon,
rather, as an expensive luxury. There is no opinion
in this regiment regarding their use. There is no
20. (a) Combatants—
Muhammad ans
101
Sikhs
18
Other Hindus
29
TOTAL
148
Answer No. 18.
ent men: some they make violent and quarrelsome,
others simply sleep off the effects.
54. Not known.
55. Not known.
I have no personal knowledge of these drugs, and
all my answers are from information obtained from
the regiment.
custom of worshipping the hemp plant on any
occasion by any sect in the regiment.
39. The smoking of these drugs in any form is
considered by the natives as more injurious than
drinking them, as the mixture of water, milk and
sugar, etc., with bhang is said to reduce the heat it
engenders, while the smoking produces a dry sensa-
tion and causes the smoker to cough.
41. The moderate use of ganja and charas is said
to put warmth into the body for a short time,
while the moderate use of bhang mixed with mint
leaves or aniseed is generally considered beneficial
in its effects, especially during the summer months.
42. They are considered beneficial for reasons
stated in answer to question 41.
43. Yes, they are inoffensive.
44. The immediate effect of smoking ganja and
charas is intoxication for a short period.
Bhang brings on a refreshing feeling. It creates
appetite, but results in laziness.
45. I have no personal experience of the use of
Indian hemp in any of its forms by native soldiers.
All my knowledge on the subject is gathered from
medical literature. Any opinion I may express
would be merely an echo of opinions of medical
writers.
46. The only positive thing I can state is that, as
I never could obtain any proof of any native soldier
having used Indian hemp, its immoderate use cannot
be common among them.
[Questions 45 and 46 answered by Medical
Officer.]
49. No.
51. The habitual consumers of these drugs are
not generally bad characters. Their use has no
connection with crime of any general or special
character. It is, however, difficult for a man to
give up the habit of using the drugs once he has
taken to them.
53. Not having any experience of the excessive
use of any of these drugs by any class of men
under me, I am unable to give an opinion. The
excessive use is said to make a man's temper fret-
ful, but nothing more. I know of no case in which
their use has led to temporary homicidal frenzy.
54. No, these drugs, as far as I know, are not
used for this purpose.
55. There is said to be a tendency to do this,
but perfect stupefaction cannot be obtained with-
out admixture, or by using very large quantities of
drug.
(b) Non-combatants.—
Muhammadans
37
Hindus
16
TOTAL
53
20. (a) Combatants—
Total strength 964, made up as follows:—
Mussalmans
24
Sikhs
8
Oudh Rajputs
5
Jats
2
Other Hindus
26
Christians
7
Brahmans
892
(b) Non-combatants—
Mussalman (Hospital As-
sistant)
1
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Brahmans
2
Rajput
1
Mussalmans
5
Other Hindus
15
Sweepers
10