9
Four Muhammadans (3 combatants, 1 camp fol-
lower) and 2 Mahrattas (combatants) smoke
ganja only in moderation mixed with tobacco.
24. Five Brahmans (combatants) drink bhang
in moderation. Charas does not appear to be used
at all.
25. Judging from past experience, on the
decrease.
28. The ganja-smokers consume about half a
pice worth daily, and the bhang-drinkers consume
about 1 pie worth daily.
32. Bhang is offered to the God Mahadev on the
Shivratri, and other Hindu festivals.
33. Ganja is smoked with tobacco in a dry state
and bhang is taken with water. The use of these
drugs by the consumers is considered beneficial.
The hemp plant is said to be considered sacred by
the worshippers of Mahadev.
41. In moderation ganja and bhang are con-
sidered to be beneficial; the former is said to be
particularly good in its effect in cases of rheu-
matism.
42. Said by the consumers to be perfectly
harmless.
43. No.
44. Acts as a stimulant to a certain extent; it
is considered to allay hunger. Does not produce
intoxication in moderation. Abstinence does not
produce any longing or uneasiness.
45. The drinking of bhang does not produce
noxious effects, but ganja and charas-smoking
produces irritation of the mental power to those
who do not take nourishing food and are constitu-
tionally weak.
It does not impair the constitution in its moder-
ate use.
It neither impairs the digestion nor causes loss
of appetite.
The bhang-drinkers do not get any of these
diseases, but ganja and charas-smokers get bron-
chitis and asthma after long-standing habits.
These drugs in moderate use do not produce any of
these mischiefs.
It does not deaden the intellect power nor pro-
duce insanity, but it rather excites the mental
power by its long-standing use.
Such cases have not come under my regular
observation, hence I could not give any affirmative
opinion of this.
I have explained the above questions as a medical
man, but I have not treated or properly observed
any case in the regiments during my stay here.
46. In the excessive use of these drugs, the
smokers and drinkers can get the noxious effects
physically and mentally, and some are affected with
insanity, but no such case treated in the regimental
hospital during my stay here.
[Questions 45 and 46 answered by Medical
Officer.]
49. Perhaps in some cases.
51. No cases have been brought to notice in
connection with this question.
53. Not necessarily. No case has been brought
to notice in which it has led to homicidal frenzy.
54. In some cases perhaps, but not necessarily so.
55. No cases on record.
Answer No. 14.
20. Total strength of regiment—974.
(a)
Combatants—
Dogras
906
Panjabi Muhammadans
(armourers)
2
Christian (Drum Major)
1
TOTAL
909
(b) Non-combatants—
Soldier clerks (Jat)
3
Hospital Assistants (Sikh
and Panjabi Hindu)
2
TOTAL
5
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Brahmans
6
Lascars
5
Jhias
35
Hindustani Hindus
4
Mehters
10
TOTAL
60
GRAND TOTAL
974
(a) Four or 5 Dogras smoke charas.
(c) Four Hindustani Hindus smoke charas in
the winter and eat bhang in the summer.
24. Only the 4 Hindustani Hindus mentioned
in the previous answer either eat or drink bhang
in the summer.
25. The regiment is composed entirely of Dogras,
who are as a race greatly addicted to tobacco, but
do not use any of the hemp preparations.
28. About 3 pies per diem.
32. There are no such customs among Dogras.
33. Among Dogras the consumption of any of
the hemp products is considered a disreputable
habit on account of the known ill-effects caused
when taken to excess. I can hear of no custom
of worshipping the hemp plant.
39. Apparently the use of the drug varies accord-
ing to the season. See answers to questions 20
and 24. Charas is smoked, and bhang eaten with
sweetmeats or drunk with water. Both are equ-
ally injurious when used immoderately.
41. The men who consume the drug say that
the moderate use of charas or bhang is beneficial,
inasmuch as it increases the appetite and takes
away the feeling of fatigue, and that bhang is also
cooling and refreshing in the hot weather.
Ganja does not appear to be consumed by any
one in this regiment.
42. Moderate use is harmless, but there is dan-
ger of the amount of the drug consumed being
gradually increased till the consumption is immo-
derate. Such immoderate consumers often become
"fakirs."
43. The smoking of charas produces an offen-
sive smell, causing a feeling of nausea, and even
C