149
Longing and uneasiness are caused and in some
cases sickness.
Effects last:—
Bhang—fifteen to twenty hours.
45. Not having seen a case, I am not in a
position to express an opinion.
I cannot say.
I am only aware that medicinally the drug is
used for anæmia, or want of appetite. I do not
know how far the prolonged use would affect the
digestive powers. It is a useful remedy for
diarrhœa and asthma in medicinal doses.
I cannot say.
I have not had cases of insanity under my
care attributable to the use of ganja—hence am
unable to express an opinion, though I am aware
that toxic doses of Indian hemp would produce
temporary insanity attended by disordered feelings
of personalty, time or place, exaltation of feelings
and hallucinations followed by muscular excitement
and ulterior delirium.
Ganja
Charas
—about six hours.
I am unable to express an opinion.
46. Speaking medically, and not from know¬
ledge of any case, I am inclined to believe that the
excessive use of these drugs would tend to break
down the constitution and weaken the mental
faculties of any individual addicted to them.
49. No.
51. No.
No connection appears to be traced with crime.
Charas—Induces bravery.
Bhang—
"
depression.
53. Is considered to incite men to revenge.
No.
54. Yes.
Ganja and charas induce bravery, and in these
cases indifference to the punishment following
crime, and are said to be used to bring men
to the necessary pitch.
55. Sometimes.
No.
Answer No. 219.
20. Total strength
795
(a) Combtants—
Muhammadans
80
Marathas
391
Pardesis
14
Parwaris
43
Ramosis
2
Baider
42
Other Hindus
5
Sikhs
44
Brahmins
45
Rajputs, etc.
115
Christians and Jews
14
(b) Non-combatants—
Jews
2
Muhammadans
1
Marathas
9
No men smoke charas. About 30 men of different
castes take ganja. Sikhs, Brahmins, Dekkhani
Marathas, Jews and Rajputs do not take ganja.
24. Marathas never take bhang. Sikhs, Brah¬
mins, Thakurs and Rajputs take it occasionally,
e.g., at festivals and similar occasions.
25. On the decrease. There have been two
cases of drunkenness in the last two years. One
case of a man court-martialled before that.
28. Ganja is smoked in minute quantities in a
chillum and costs a habitual consumer about 8
annas a month. Charas is not known in the regi¬
ment. Bhang is taken usually in the proportion of
about 1/2 oz. with 3lb of food (milk, etc.), and
costs about an anna a month.
32. The use of drugs at ceremonies is forbidden
for Pathans, but at other times they take ganja,
and Afghans charas. At ceremonies, festivals, etc.,
bhang is taken by some castes. It is used, as an
appetiser, in hot weather.
33. Men who take these drugs in excess are
held in contempt, especially charas or ganja, as the
brain is affected and the blood dries up. Mahadeo
is said to have created the hemp plant, and when
Hindus take any of these narcotics, they call upon
him. Otherwise there is no worship of the hemp
plant.
39. Smoking appears to be less injurious than
drinking. The effect of eating majum or yakoti is
very bad, also of smoking charas or chandu, as the
latter are prepared over a fire, but preparations
which are smoked are soaked in water first.
41. A little ganja or bhang taken with bread is
the same as vegetables with meat, and is therefore
used by poorer classes to make inferior food more
palatable, and taken in this way it is beneficial.
Bhang and ganja are both beneficial when a man is
tired.
42. Moderate use of ganja and bhang is both
beneficial and harmless.
43. A man who takes charas is offensive at any
time, also chandu, but moderate consumers of
bhang or ganja are inoffensive.
44. The immediate effect of bhang or ganja is
refreshing and invigorating. One whiff of charas
makes a man usually drop back senseless. Use of
the two former does not produce intoxication.
These narcotics do not allay hunger; they are
appetisers, and a man can eat almost anything with
them. The effect of bhang lasts about an hour or
two, that of ganja about half an hour: ganja and
charas create a thirst.
45. I have not seen any noxious effects from
the use of the drug, as no cases have come under
my personal observation. Have not been able to
trace any information on the subject from an
examination of the medical history sheets.
46. I have used Indian hemp medicinally in
the treatment of chronic dysentery, and have
found it beneficial. I have also used it, but with
no apparent effect, in the treatment of a case of
acute mania.
[Questions 45 and 46 answered by Medical
Officer.]
49. Not known.
51. Most men who have been discharged lately
as bad characters have been-known as consumers of
ganja. Ganja excites the system and men taking
it are liable to break out and commit acts of
violence.