NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
33
It seems to be taken to produce intoxication,
perhaps, at first to allay mental anxiety; some-
times as an aphrodisiac. Afterwards its use can-
not be discontinued without great effort.
There is very little of these drugs used in the
regiment; if a man takes to drinking or smoking
these drugs, he is very secret about it. He is
discovered by his inability to do his work efficiently,
and is promptly got rid of.
46. The excessive use of any of these drugs
produces the same consequences as related in
answer to question 45, only in a more marked
degree.
49. Yes; ganja is used.
51. No.
No connection, judging by the consumption in
this regiment.
53. Excessive indulgence in these drugs does
not incite to unpremeditated crime, because con-
sumer usually becomes so very quickly insensible
No case is known where consumption has led to
temporary homicidal frenzy.
54. These drugs are not consumed with a view
to fortifying a man to commit violence or crime.
55. Ganja and charas are given so as to cause
recipients to become stupefied.
Complete stupefaction can be obtained by above
two drugs without admixture.
Answer No. 46.
20. (a) Combatants—
Sikhs
867
Hindus
12
Muhammadans
33
TOTAL
912
(b) Non-combatants—
Hindu
1
Muhammada
1
TOTAL
2
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Sikhs
8
Hindus
52
Muhammadans
13
TOTAL
73
Sikhs do not smoke either. Nor do the Hindus
or Muhammadans, in this regiment.
24. Nil.
25. They are not taken at all by the men of the
regiment.
28. Not known.
32. Ganja and charas are forbidden by the Sikh
religion, but bhang is not.
33. The consumption of these drugs is consider-
ed objectionable.
The Sikhs do not worship the hemp plant.
39. Smoking is considered more injurious than
eating or drinking the hemp plant.
41. Charas and ganja are not beneficial.
Some consider that the moderate use of bhang
is beneficial.
42. I consider them all objectionable, though
many Sikhs consider the moderate use of bhang
useful in creating hunger, easing fatigue.
43. Yes.
44. It comforts the mind. Is refreshing. Yes,
slight intoxication; allays hunger; creates appetite;
about four hours the effect lasts.
Yes; produces uneasiness if not taken at the
usual time.
45. I know too little of the effects of the pre-
paration of bhang to be able to answer. They are,
so far as I know, seldom used by Sikhs and then
only they are 40 years of age.
46. As Sikhs do not take it, I know little or
nothing of the effects of excessive use.
[Questions 45 and 46 answered by Medical
Officer.]
49. Yes.
51. Bad characters often use these drugs.
It makes men drunk; but does not produce
crime like rum or spirits.
The man becomes senseless or else he talks non-
sense and behaves like an idiot.
53. Not as far as I know. I do not know of
any case in this regiment for the last 20 years.
54. Yes; some persons do.
55. Yes; they sometimes induce their victims to
take the drug.
Bhang produces intoxication after an hour.
Charas and ganja almost immediately.
Answer No. 47.
20. (a) Combatants—
Hindustani Mussalmans
241
Panjabi
"
74
Sikhs
95
Hindu Rajputs
118
Jats
78
Other Hindus
19
TOTAL
625
(b) Non-combatants—
Hospital Assistants—
Hindustani Mussalman
1
Panjabi
"
1
TOTAL
2
35
Answer No. 49.
20. (a) Combatants—
Mussalmans
3
Mahratta
1
Mahars
3
Kuri
1
TOTAL
8
(b) Non combatants—
Mahars
2
Mussalman
1
Parsi
1
Mahrattas
11
TOTAL
15
(c) Authorised camp followers
99
24 None.
25. No
28. The drugs are not used in this battery.
32. The drugs are taken after religious rites.
33. The consumption is considered discreditable.
There is no custom of worshipping the hemp
plant.
39. I cannot say.
41. No.
42. The continual use of these drugs for a
lengthened period causes sickness. Two or three
men have died in this battery from the continual
use of these drugs about five years ago.
43. No.
44. I have no means of judging, as no cases of the
use of these drugs have occurred within my experi-
ence. The two men mentioned in question 42 died
before I took over command of this battery.
45, 46, 49, 51, 53, 54 and 55. See answer to
question 44.
Answer No. 50.
20. (a) Combatants
8
{6) Non-combatants
118 followers.
(c) Authorised camp followers
Nil.
The following smoke ganja—
(a) Combatants—
Mussalman
1
(b) Non-combatants—
Mong
1
Ahir
1
Mahars
3
24. None.
25. Use of ganja is stationary.
28. Eight annas per mensem to all except one
Mahar, who spends R1 per mensem. Daily average
allowance about 2 drams and 4 drams respectively.
32. None.
33. There appears to be no opinion.
39. I am informed that ganja is always smoked
and never taken in any other way.
41. The men who take it state that they find
it beneficial.
42. I should say it was harmless in moderation,
as all these men carry out their duties in a satis-
factory manner. The only combatant who
smokes it is a Naik; he is superior in intelligence,
etc., to the other combatants.
43. Yes.
44. Is refreshing. Slight intoxication does not
allay hunger. Increases the appetite. Effect lasts
from one to two hours. Want of subsequent
gratification produces longing and uneasiness.
49. No.
51. The men are not of bad character, nor does
the use of the drug in moderation appear to lead
to crime.
53. None of these cases have come under my
notice.
54. I am informed that they may be so used.
55. (a) Same answer as 54.
(b) I am informed, not.
Answer No. 51.
20. (a), (b) and (c)
Muham-
madans. Sikhs. Hindus. Total.
Fighting
men.
Panjabis
Pathans
Hindustanis
129
100
90
225
5
75
359
100
165
TOTAL
624
Camp fol-
-owers (au-
thorized).
Panjabis
Pathans
Hindustanis
207
13
49
52
136
259
12
185
TOTAL
456
No men smoke ganja or charas.
24. None eat bhang.
Panjabis and Hindustanis (both Hindus, in-
cluding Sikhs, and Muhammadans) occasionally in
the hot weather drink it as a cooling medicine
(when mixed with the pounded seed of melons or
cucumbers).
I do not mean that every Panjabi and Hindus-
tani in the regiment drinks it, but its use as above
is not uncommon.
25. Bhang is the only drug, the produce of hemp,
consumed in the regiment, It is only taken
occasionally (not habitually) in the hot weather
as a cooling medicine. Its use is neither on the
increase or decrease.
28. There are no habitual consumers in the regi-
ment.
32. I know of none.
F 2
39
55. I believe they do, but having no experience
cannot say for certain.
Yes, any of these drugs will produce complete
stupefaction if taken in sufficient quantities-a
statement which applies to beer, wine and spirits.
Answer No. 54.
20. (a) Combatants—
Mers
668
Rajputs
6
Muhammadans
19
Hindus of inferior caste
19
TOTAL
712
(b) Non-combatants—
Kayastha
1
Kurmi
1
Kahar
1
TOTAL
3
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Mussalmans
5
Hindus of inferior caste
13
TOTAL
18
In class (a) 12 men smoke ganja-6 Mers, 1
Rajput, 5 Hindus.
24. No one.
25. On the decrease in this regiment, as the
Mers are not consumers of the drug, unless taught
by outsiders.
The drug was introduced by sepoys who were
recruited in Oudh.
Now that the recruits for the regiment have for
some years been enlisted from among the Mers
only, the foreign element in the regiment has de-
creased and proportionately the consumption of the
drug.
28. About 4 annas per mensem. The cost of
one smoke is about 3 pies.
32. None.
33. With disrepute. It is unpopular in the
Native Army, for it is supposed to unfit a man for
the proper performance of his duties, and those who
use these drugs do so as secretly as possible.
It is also popularly supposed to weaken the men-
tal and sexual powers.
Not among the Mers.
39. Smoking is as injurious as eating and drink-
ing the drug.
It injures the digestion.
41. The opinion of natives is that in moderate
use it improves the appetite for food.
42. On the whole a man would be better off
without it, the principal reason being that the
habit is likely to grow on him, when it becomes
injurious.
43. Yes.
44. Pleasantly stimulating and increases tho
appetite.
It is refreshing.
It does not produce intoxication.
It does not allay hunger.
It creates appetite.
Some hours.
There are no after-effects.
The want of subsequent gratification produces
a longing for more.
45. No.
No.
Not in moderate dose.
No.
No.
Have known it in two cases to produce tempo-
rary insanity.
No.
A man of weak intellect who took to ganja
would be more likely to exceed.
One case spent all his earnings on the drug,
beat his wife, smashed furniture, and was really
insane for a time.
Another case was taken up by the police as a
lunatic and got well after a week's treatment in
hospital.
46. Prolonged use produces loss of appetite and
strength, trembling and much mental weakness.
49 and 51. No.
53. No.
No.
54. No.
55. No instance known.
Yes, to those unaccustomed to the drug.
Answer No. 55.
20. (a) Combatants
772
(b) Non-combatants
5
(c) Authorised camp followers
40
Ganja-smokers are—
Mussalmans
15
Telugu
20
Tamil
Charas-smokers-
Nil.
24. (a) None.
(b) Mussalmans
.
.
2
Rajputs, Mahrattas and
Brahmans
.
.
15
25. On the decrease. Most of the confirmed
ganja-smokers and bhang-drinkers have left the
regiment on pension or discharge.
28. About 2 pies a day.
32. At the " Holi" festival it is the custom
among Brahmans, Mahrattas and Rajputs to con-
sume bhang, it being part of the ceremony.
33. As it is against caste custom to consume
40
ganja or bhang, except as stated in the last answer,
the use of narcotics generally is looked on unfa-
vourably by strict adherents of the various castes.
The moderate use, however, is not deprecated.
Worshipping the hemp plant is unknown in
this part of India.
39. The immoderate smoking of ganja is said to
be the most injurious form of consuming the drug.
41. The moderate use of the drug is known to
have a beneficial effect generally, having a quieting
effect on the brain, increases the appetite, soothes
pain, and causes sleep.
42. In moderate use, is considered not only
harmless but beneficial. Moderate use is under-
stood to render men less irritable, acts as a mental
and physical stimulant and refreshes a tired man.
Smoking ganja and afterwards drinking water is
said to allay hunger.
43. No.
44. Please see my answer to No. 42.
When taken to excess produces intoxication.
Moderate use creates appetite. Effect lasts
about eight hours.
No after-effects, except on immoderate use.
Want of subsequent gratification does produce
longing.
45. Habitual moderate use stated not to have any
noxious effect, either physical, mental, or moral.
Stated not to impair constitution in any way.
On the contrary, it is said to increase appetite
and improve digestion.
Causes none of these diseases, when used in
moderation.
Stated not to impair moral sense or to induce
lazy habits, but tends to increase the sexual ap-
petite.
Does not deaden intellect, or produce insanity
when used moderately.
I have had no practical experience of the con-
sumption of any of the preparations made from
Indian hemp.
46. The habitual excessive use produces insanity,
usually acute mania with a tendency to use violence.
Dysentery is also common, and often causes death
among ganja insanes. It is stated ganja both
predisposes to, and excites, insanity and dysentery.
Deprivation of the drug renders consumers helpless.
Insanity caused by it is often curable if the drug be
withdrawn, but may be re-induced by further abuse.
Ganja insanes usually ask for it to be given them.
49. Yes.
51. No.
None.
53. No.
No.
54. Yes, and then taken to excess.
55. No.
Yes.
Answer No. 56.
20. (a) Combatants—
Muhammadans
6
Hindu, Chettri caste
1
TOTAL
7
(b) Non-combatants—
Muhammadans
10
Hindus—
Sohar
5
Gwalar
9
Khait
2
Bunjwa
1
Chamar
1
Chettri
1
TOTAL
29
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Muhammadans
27
Hindus—
Khori
47
Chamars
42
TOTAL
116
Of the above, 4 Khoris and 2 Chamars smoke
charas.
No one smokes ganja.
24. Nil.
25. The use of charas is said to be on the
increase.
I am unable to give any reasons.
28. Said to be about 3 pies a day.
32. None that I am aware of.
33. (1) With indifference.
(2) Not that I am aware of.
(3) None.
(4) Not that I am aware of.
39. I do not know.
41. Charas is said to be soothing in dysentery,
but I am not in a position to express an opinion.
42. I do not know.
43. As far as I know, they are.
44. I do not know.
45. I am unable to give any information.
I do not know.
46. I can give no information.
[Questions 45 and 46 answered by Medical
Officer.]
49 and 51. I do not know.
53. Not that I am aware of. No.
54 and 55. I do not know.
41
Answer No. 57.
20. Muhammadans
166
Sikhs
158
Brahmans
6
Rajputs
139
Jats
153
Other Hindus
2
624
(a) Combatants
604
(b) Non-combatants
20
(c) Authorised camp followers
352
None that I know of.
24. None.
25. I am unable to say, as these drugs are not
in use in the regiment.
28. We have no recognised habitual moderate
consumers.
32. I know of none.
33. I am unable to give a reply to this ques-
tion.
39. Have never been in a position to ascertain
this fact, and the regiment does not recognise
that the practice of either drinking or smoking it
is carried on in the regiment.
41. I am unable to say. I have never tried it.
42. I cannot say.
43. Perhaps; have never had a neighbour who
used the drug to my knowledge.
44. Cannot say.
45. I cannot say.
I cannot say.
Do not know.
Do not know.
I cannot say.
I cannot answer this question.
I have no opinion on this subject.
I know of none.
No record of such cases ever having occurred in
the regiment.
46. I am unable to enter into any discussion on
the subject.
49. Not that I know of. But I remember
reading somewhere that the drug produces "exhi-
laration of spirits and hallucinations said to be
generally of a pleasing kind."
51. There are no bad characters in my regi-
ment.
53. No.
54. Perhaps; I cannot positively give any reply
to this.
55. Possibly; I have never been in a position to
judge.
I do not know.
Answer No. 58.
20. Total strength of regiment—
(a) Combatants
901
(b) Non-combatants
2
(c) Authorised camp followers
53
956
(a) Combatants—
Gurungs
12
Muggurs
20
Jogi Kour
2
Brahman
1
Khattri
8
Thakur
2
Newar
2
Limbu
2
Lohar
2
Damai
2
(b) Non-combatants—
Nil.
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Barber
1
Bhisti (Khas)
1
The above smoke charas.
None smoke ganja.
24. None.
25. Neither on increase nor decrease.
28. About 1/2 tola a day, cost 9 pies.
32. None.
33. The practice is regarded as injurious and not
approved of by Gurkhas generally. The con-
sumption of charas is regarded as an expensive and
harmful practice, and bad for the health of the
consumer.
There is no custom of worship of the hemp
plant.
39. Charas only is smoked in the battalion.
No case has come under medical observation or
treatment.
41. It is believed that even the moderate use of
these drugs is not beneficial.
No preparation of hemp can be so.
42. The moderate use is considered harmless to
the constitution.
43. This depends on the temperament of the
individual. In some cases moderate consumers are
apt to become quarrelsome.
44. There have been no cases under medical
treatment. The drug appears to be taken more as
a pastime than for any definite object.
45. Habitual use of the drug would probably
impair the constitution and leave injurious effects
mentally and morally.
There have been no cases under medical treat-
ment in this battalion, but I should say that habi-
tual use of the drug would tend to produce
insanity.
I cannot say.
There have been no cases.
46. There have been no such cases under medi-
cal treatment in this battalion.
49. I cannot say. No cases have been brought
to my notice or that of the medical officer.
49
Answer No. 69.
20. (a) Combatants
None.
(b) Non-combatants
23
(c) Authorised camp followers
87
Nine Koris smoke ganja; no charas used.
24. None.
25. Said to be on the decrease.
There are none.
28. About 3 pies daily for ganja.
32. I am acquainted with none.
33. Generally with indifference.
No.
Charas is considered the worst form.
Not in this corps.
39. Smoking less injurious. The same difference
exists as between the smoking and chewing of
tobacco.
41. Ganja said to be beneficial; bhang used
medicinally as a cordial.
42. Certainly, as with tobacco, having regard to
the difference of individual constitutions.
43. Perfectly so.
44. I am not sufficiently acquainted with the
vernacular to elicit this information in a reliable
manner.
45. Yes, leads to insanity especially.
Yes, when used in excess only.
No.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
Exciting cause.
Permanent, mania.
Hallucinations, homicidal mania.
Not as a rule.
Yes.
The use of hemp drugs leads to insanity, not
vice versa.
Nil.
46. The same, only in an exaggerated degree.
49. I am not sufficiently acquainted with the
vernacular to elicit this information.
51. No bad characters here. No doubt occasion-
ally gives occasion to the military crime of sen-
tries and men on duty being found asleep on their
posts.
53. Certainly, as in the case of whiskey, etc.
No.
54. Not to my personal knowledge.
55. Opium and dhatura are said to be chiefly
employed for such purposes.
A full dose of 2 or 3 grains of extract of Canna-
bis indica (or its equivalent of any of the prepara-
tions of hemp) will produce complete insensibility
and somnolence, lasting for hours after the initial
period of excitement is over.
Answer No. 70.
20. (a) Combatants—
Mussalman
78
Hindu
21
TOTAL
99
(b) Non-combatants—
Mussalman
7
Hindu
8
Bhangis
2
TOTAL
17
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Mussalman
65
Hindu
7
Bhangis
1
TOTAL
73
None.
24. None in this troop.
25. No men in this troop use these drugs, so
I am not in a position to give an opinion.
28. I cannot say.
32 and 33. See reply to query 25.
39 and 41. I cannot say.
42. See reply to 41.
43 and 44. I cannot say.
45. No, I think not.
No, I think not.
No, I think not.
I think excessive use of these drugs might cause
bronchitis.
No.
It does not deaden the intellect.
I think that, if used in excess, it is an exciting
cause in producing insanity. As I have not had
opportunities of seeing cases of insanity caused by
ganja, I am not able to form any opinion to answer
the other questions.
I do not think that the use of this drug by per-
sons suffering from mental anxiety or brain disease
to obtain relief has been sufficiently considered in
explaining the connection.
No.
I am not acquainted with any such cases.
46. This question has been already answered by
me under No. 45.
49. I cannot say.
51. None in this troop.
53, 54 and 55. I cannot say.
55
41. I do not think that the use of charas or
ganja, in moderation, can be beneficial. I do not
know that the use of bhang, in moderation, is the
reverse of beneficial.
42. I have never noticed any bad effects from use
of charas or ganja, except that habitual consumers
are inclined to be inattentive in their duties
("slack").
43. Yes, but non-consumers find the odour of
the charas or ganja smoke objectionable.
44. Stimulant. Refreshing. Does not produce
intoxication in moderate use. Said to allay hunger
and increase appetite. Effect lasts for about
two hours or more. No after-effects to speak of.
Habitual consumers would feel the want of the
drug, if deprived of it, for a time.
45. Not that I have ever noticed.
Not that I am aware of.
No.
No.
No.
Have had no experience of this kind.
Have had no experience of this kind.
Have never seen any bad effects traceable to
hemp smoking, and there are no records of such
cases in the medical history sheets of the
regiment.
46. Most of the Kahars are habitual smokers of
hemp moderately, and I have never noticed any bad
effects. I have had no experience of cases of habi-
tual excessive use.
49. Yes.
51. Not that I am aware of: smokers of charas
and ganja (Muhammadans) are looked upon as
low class persons.
No connection with crime. Consumers of charas
and ganja are not, as a rule, smart soldiers—
generally slack.
53. No experience.
54. Not as far as I am aware of.
55. No experience.
Stupefaction cannot be induced without admix-
ture.
Answer No. 77.
20. Total strength
219
Hindus
120
Muhammadans
67
Others
32
TOTAL
219
(a) Combatants—
Hindus
110
Muhammadans
37
Others
15
TOTAL
162
(b) Non-combatants—
Hindus
10
Muhammadans
30
Others
17
TOTAL
57
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Nil.
Smoke ganja and charas—
(a) Combatants—
Hindus
6
Muhammadans
2
TOTAL
8
(b) Non-combatants—
Muhammadans
1
Others
2
TOTAL
3
Smoke opium—
(a) Non-combatants—
Hindu
1
Muhammadan
1
TOTAL
2
24. (b) One Hindu.
25. Charas on the increase during very cold
weather.
28. About 5 grains daily, costing 6 pies.
32. None apparent.
43. No.
44. No. Yes. No. Yes. Two hours. No. Yes.
No.
55. No.
No.
Answer No. 78.
20. (a) Combatants
625
(b) Non-cambutants
300
(c) Authorised camp followers
300
No combatants are known to smoke either.
Camp followers—
Koris
68 Smoke only
charas.
Jaisuwantars
16
Smoke only
charas.
Chamars
62
Smoke only
charas.
24. No habitual eaters or drinkers of bhang
konwn.
Some of the Sikhs are supposed to use it in
small quantities.
25. As far as I can ascertain from inquiry, there
is no increase or decrease in use.
I am unable to give any reasons.
28. Bhang—2 tolas, 3 pies.
Charas—1/2 tola, 3 "
Ganja—Not known.
32. Menial classes entertain their friends with
a smoke of charas.
63
Answer No. 90.
20. Total strength
625
Muhammadans
242
Mahrattas
140
Jat Sikhs
141
Hindustani Brahmans
14
Rajputs
13
Chattris
15
Jats
50
Christians
10
(a) Combatants
623
(b) Non-combatants
2
(c) Authorised camp followers
403
Twelve syces from Hindustan only smoke
ganja.
The syces are private followers and are not
enlisted.
24. Nil.
25. So little used in this regiment, have no data
to go on.
28. One pie per diem, I understand, is what a
syce spends. They are paid R6-8 per mensem
by silladars.
32. None known to me.
33. A ganja-smoker is looked down on to a cer
tain extent. Bhang is a stimulant of higher re-
pute. The practice is looked down on as degrading
by the men of this regiment.
None so far as I know.
39. Smoking is injurious, as it violates the
respiratory passages to quite a marked degree
afterwards: it also promotes thirst.
41. Those who drink bhang in moderation say
it benefits them during hot weather.
42. I think the probabilities are moderate use
of these drugs is not adhered to.
43. Yes.
44. They increase appetite, give a sense of well-
being and promote pleasant sleep; are also aphro-
disiac. No after-effects or uneasiness. This is
when taken in strictest moderation.
45. No.
No.
No.
Smoking causes bronchitis.
They may perhaps make a man more sexually
active.
I have no experience.
46. I have no experience. A man who runs
"amuck" is often spoken of as "bhanged."* But
I do not know how this state is arrived at, or what
it is when produced.
49. I think so, from what I have been told.
51. I have no data to give.
53. I have no experience.
54. It is commonly so supposed.
55. I do not know.
* i.e. prepared by ganja-smoking.
Answer No. 91.
20. (a) Combatants 823—
Muhammadans.
Concan (Mahrattas)
7
Deccan
"
34
Guzerat
3
Rajputana
19
Central India
9
North-Western
Provin-
ces and Oudh
25
Panjab
14
Trans-Indus
in British
territory
1
Nizam's Dominions
6
Kathiawar
18
Hindus.
Concan Mahrattas 116
Deccan
"
100
Kathiawar
1
Panjab Sikhs
99
Rajputana—
Brahmans
7
Jats
115
Rajputs
31
Ahir
9
Gujar
17
Sutar
1
Mekhan
2
Mainhar
1
Mina
1
Kelar
1
Central India—
Brahmans
2
Thakurs
1
Rajput
17
Gujar
14
Sutar
1
North-Western Provinces
and Oudh—
Brahmans
55
Thakurs
20
Ahirs
15
Chattris
10
Kumbri
5
Bhujwa
5
Pasi
4
Bhat
6
Garerya
3
Kayat
3
Kahar
1
Murai
1
Nao
1
Kori
1
Jamboli
1
Christians.
Christians
19
TOTAL
823
(b) Non-combatants 4—
Hindus.
Concan Mahrattas
2
North-Western Provinces
and Oudh Brahmans
2
TOTAL
4
(c) Authorised camp followers 14—
Sweepers
8
Thakur.
1
Brahmans
2
Kori
2
Kahar
1
TOTAL
14
GRAND TOTAL
841