79
completed by some sudden shock acting upon a
mind, and rendered ill-balanced by the previous
consumption of the drug.
Type of insanity usually mania with delusion
likely to become chronic and result in dementia.
Should it disappear for a time, it is likely to be
renewed by again taking the drug.
It is possible that a weak-minded person may
take to the drug, but many persons previously of
perfectly well balanced minds have become weak-
minded owing to the use of the drug.
A Dogra Subadar used to smoke charas. During
an expedition his party were suddenly surprised
and he acquitted himself very well, but shortly
after signs of insanity appeared, for which he had
ultimately to be invalided, suffering from mania,
with delusions of a grandiose nature.
Three years ago a Pathan smoked charas and
ultimately became insane.
The above remarks, as far as can be distinguished,
mainly apply to "charas" smoking.
46. This is rare and produces the above-noted
conditions in a more exaggerated degree; in addi-
tion actual unconsciousness or maniacal acts are apt
to follow its ingestion. Fifteen years ago two Sikhs
came to hospital after an excessive dose (one was
a more or less regular consumer); they were both
very violent and maniacal and had eventually to be
sent to an asylum.
Six years ago a charas-smoker became insane,
and had to be put under restraint.
When taken in excessive quantities (as in the
case of the two Sikhs), ganja is taken.
[Questions 45 and 46 answered by Medical
Officer.]
49. After making enquiries, I hear that ganja is
sometimes taken in milk, and in excessive quantities
as an aphrodisiac.
51. I cannot tell proportions, but the chances
are that a consumer of any of these drugs will be
a more or less unreliable, if not bad character.
53. It is generally supposed to have a tendency
to create sudden anger and its consequences. I do
not know of a case in the regiment, but a native
officer tells me of a murder from this cause; also of
a quarrel where one man laid another's head open
with a stick, inflicting a severe wound, done under
the influence of bhang.
54. No. I am told a man under their influence
would usually not have sufficient sense to carry out
the crime properly.
55. This is said to be very common, the drugs
being administered without the knowledge of the
victim. The victim can be reduced to complete
stupefaction. Several instances of this being
carried out or attempted are told me.
I consider the use of any of these drugs noxious
in the extreme, and in accordance with regimental
standing orders it is always punished in this
regiment when discovered. None of these remarks
refer to opium, which I have excluded from this
enquiry.
Answer No. 116.
20. (a) Combatants—
Sikhs and other Hindus
62
Panjabi Mussalmans
86
(b) Non-combatants—
8
Hindus
Mussalmans
24
(c) Authorised camp followers
Hindus
11
Mussalmans
18
Combatants—
Hindu
1
Mussalman
1 smoke
both
drugs.
Non-combatants—
smoke
both
drugs.
Nil.
smoke
both
drugs.
Authorised camp followers—
Hindus
2
24. There are no habitual consumers of bhang.
The Sikhs and some Hindus occasionally drink it in
the warm weather.
25. In the battery the use of all the drugs has
decreased.
The Purbias who chiefly used ganja and charas
have diminished in numbers.
The Brahmins who were habitual consumers of
bhang have left the battery. These were the
Havildar Major and some drivers who joined the
Burma police.
One Mussalman who used to smoke ganja and
charas has left it off, because the Panjabi Mus-
salmans refused to eat with him till he did so.
28. Ganja—Twice per diem, costs 1/4 to 1/2 anna.
Charas—Twice per diem, costs (in smaller quan-
tities than ganja) 1/4 to 1/2 anna.
Bhang—No habitual consumers.
32. Ganja and charas—Nil.
When a Sikh Guru visits the battery a bowl
of the decoction of bhang is made out of about 1
chittack of bhang, costing 3 annas, from which
about 20 men drink, after the Guru has read from
the grafth and blessed it.
At all Sikh religious festivals they drink a
similar bowl of decoction of bhang.
33. Immoderate consumers are in disrepute;
moderate consumers, who are men of discretion, are
not in disrepute.
The consumption of the drugs is considered a
bad habit.
Mussalmans will not eat from the vessels of
a consumer, because they consider them defiled,
and on this account all Mussalman consumers are
in some disrepute.
No sects acknowledge to any worship of the
hemp plant.
39. Charas and ganja are only smoked.
Bhang is not smoked; when eaten is said to be
more injurious than when drunk. It is only eaten
when opportunities for preparing the drink are
wanting.
41. It is apparently considered that in cold
weather the moderate use of ganja and bhang
promotes the warmth of the body and creates an
appetite. To the habitual consumer it is beneficial,
as to be without it makes him uneasy, irritable,
disinclined to work and wanting in appetite.
The moderate use of bhang has a cooling effect
in the hot weather; a regular consumer of
bhang is said to be comparatively free from the
diarrhœa and slight dysentery which non-consumers
amongst natives are so liable to on the march or