52
hours to two or three days. The after effects are
laziness, a good deal of coughing and bleared eyes,
not the same craving that want of opium would
cause nor apparently much the same as a tobacco-
smoker amongst Europeans feels. No uneasiness
of any kind.
45. The habitual moderate use of these drugs
undoubtedly does lead to physical debility and
moral degradation. But so far as this regiment
is concerned, in the few cases in which the drug is
known to be consumed, viz., among bandsmen, no
ill-effects have been noticeable, save a general
tendency to loss of tone and appetite, with nausea in
the morning. True, one man died of pulmonary
phthisis who was known to be addicted to the
habitual use of charas, but how far his disease was
aggravated by its use, or perhaps by its disconti-
nuance after his admission to hospital, is doubtful.
Those addicted to these drugs are wholly lazy
and disinclined for fatigue.
No cases of insanity from the use of hemp
preparations, or from other causes, has ever occurred
in the regiment.
46. No case of habitual excessive use of these
drugs has been known to have occurred in the
regiment.
[Questions 45 and 46 answered by Medical
Officer.]
49. No, they have a contrary effect.
51. Yes, it is chiefly bad characters, such as
bazar loafers and especially gamblers, who are
consumers as well as fakirs (see 28 and 44).
Prostitutes are not addicted to the use nor would
thieves be, for obvious reasons. The people I
questioned seemed to think there was no connec-
tion between it and crime. Habitual consumers
sit or even stand or sleep in a stupefied sort of way,
noticing nothing and doing nothing.
53. No, they think not, for reasons given in the
previous reply. One man I questioned knew of
two cases of homicide committed by men drunk or
stupefied with this drug.
54. No, unlike our wines and spirits in this
respect.
55. Undoubtedly. At Amritsar this form of
crime prevails, and one native officer had himself
almost fallen a victim. The practice is to offer it
mixed in sweetmeats.
Complete stupefaction can be induced by the
plain drug, but it seems that the effects are slower;
and of course, from the fact that the taste is un-
pleasant, it is seldom or never administered plain.
Answer No. 74.
20. (a)
Combatants—
Hindustani Mukammadans
284
Panjabi Muhammadans and Afridis 36
Sikhs
125
Dogras and other Hindus
24
Brahmans and Rajput
40
Jats of Hindustan
115
TOTAL
624
(b)
Non-combatants—
Hindustani Muhammadans
2
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Hindustani Muhammadans
108
Panjabi Muhammadans and Afridis 4
Sikhs
2
Dogras and other Hindus
204
Jats of Hindustan
2
TOTAL
320
Cannot say, as they decline to answer.
24. (a) and (b) Cannot say, as they decline to
answer.
25. Cannot answer this question, the opinions on
this point being so very conflicting.
28. Bhang—3 to 6 pies per diem, allowance=1/2
to 1 tola diem.
Charas—6 to 9 pies per diem, allowance=1/4
tola per diem.
Ganja—1/2 to 1 anna per diem, allowance=1/4
tola per diem.
32. In the North-Western Provinces—Holi,
Dewali and Sheoratri are the occasions on which
these drugs are used, especially bhang. The fourth
day of the Durga Puja is an occasion on which ap-
parently much bhang is drunk by the upper
classes, and ganja and charas smoked by the lower
classes. Muhammadans altogether avoid the use
of it.
Is unable to gather any further information in
the matter
33. The consumption of any of these drugs is
not well thought of in respectable society, and in
the Native Army also an habitual consumer is
regarded as an useless, lazy, indolent individual,
and is styled "bhangar" or bhang consumer.
The use of charas and ganja is decidedly in dis-
repute, partly because they are used generally by
the lower classes, but chiefly owing to the de-
moralization, physical and mental, which they are
said to produce—These drugs were apparently the
chief food of the Hindu God Shiva or Mahadeo,
and are therefore used by their worshippers; they
are said to be much used by Hindu fakirs and
sadhus, and are said to produce impotency.
39. No, smoking ganja or charas is likely to
lead to worse results than drinking bhang, particu-
larly if there is not a good supply of nutritious
food taken at the same time.
This opinion has been formed from the examin-
ation of some higher caste Hindus who drink
bhang and low-caste men who smoke ganja and
charas.
41. The moderate use of these drugs on an
occasion may be beneficial, as it increases appetite
and allays fatigue after severe work; but apparently
a continued, even though moderate, use is sure to
lead to bad results and to be decidedly injurious
in its effects.
42. Although, perhaps, the least harmful of all
these drugs is bhang, yet it is thought that the
continued, even though moderate, use of them
cannot be without harm. A long train of evils is
sure to follow sooner or later, as will be seen in
answer to question 45.
43. Moderate consumers of bhang are apparent-
ly inoffensive to their neighbours, but those of
charas and ganja are considered a great nuisance,
the smell of both these drugs when smoked being
most offensive.
44. Produces first a period of excitement
(" makes happy") and is refreshing. There is
exhilaration of spirits bordering on intoxication.
The exciting stage lasts longer than that of opium