30
Answer No. 42.
20. Strength
959
(a) Combatants—
885
Sikhs
Hindus
5
Muhammadans
22
TOTAL
912
(5) Non-combatants—
Sikhs
16
Hindus
21
Muhammadans
2
Sweepers
8
TOTAL
47
(c) Authorised camp followers—
Dhobis
8
24. There are no habitual consumers of either
ganja, charas or bhang.
NOTE.—The Sikhs never use ganja or charas.
Sikhs do not smoke, being contrary, to their
religious creed.
25. The use of ganja, charas and bhang is on
the decrease, as the men in the regiment are
prohibited from taking these drugs, which inter-
feres with their health and sense.
28. Occasionally taken.
Ganja— 3/4 masha, cost 3 pies.
Charas—
3/4
„
„ 3 „
Bhang—
1
„
„ 1/2 pie.
32. There are no customs in regard to the
consumption.
33. The consumption of ganja and charas is
regarded as worst; that of bhang is also bad.
The men in the Native Army who make use of
any of these drugs are regarded as unreliable and
uncertain. The use is in disrepute, because it
renders men more or less useless. There is no
custom of worshipping the hemp plant.
39. The consumption of the drugs is injurious
in every form, but it is more injurious when
smoked, because its effects are more rapid taken
in that form and men become senseless quickly.
41. No. It is always injurious.
42. It is injurious to its smallest quantity,
because the desire is due to increase, and the habit
becomes stamped.
43. Not as a rule.
44. There are no habitual consumers with the
regiment, but those who take occasionally have
a desire to sleep. It is not refreshing. It produces
intoxication if enough be taken. It does not allay
hunger, but creates appetite. Its effect lasts about
four hours; of bhang sometimes about eight hours
or more. Its after-effects are relaxation. Great
uneasiness is experienced when the desire for
more is not gratified.
45. It works injury to the physique and mind
and morals even when moderately taken.
Its use impairs the constitution.
Its moderate use produces bad effects: physi-
cally it weakens the constitution; mentally
the consumers are considerably dulled intellectually;
morally their sense is lowered. Their constitution
is often considerably impaired. Digestion and
appetite not affected. Dysentery not caused by
it, but there seems to be a certain relation between
this drug, asthma and bronchitis. The moral
sense seems to be impaired and laziness induced,
but no special cases of immorality or debauchery
are known. It deadens the intellect, and appears
to be merely the "exciting" cause, but no special
case can be quoted.
I have no personal knowledge of this point,
nor can I find any records in connection with
it.
46. This drug acts as a poison when taken in
excess and induces mania and delirium; but I
have no personal experience on this point nor can
any records of such cases be found.
49. Commonly accepted that it lessens desire
and is not used as an aphrodisiac.
51. It is said that habitual consumers are
prone to crime; they become careless and demor-
alised by its use and are improvident, and become
poor and debased.
53. Excessive indulgence does lead to crime.
Lately a case occurred in the 36th Sikhs: a man
known by the nickname of bhangor—from being
addicted to bhang—shot his friend and shot at
any one who approached, and eventually shot
himself.
54. Yes, it is thought so.
55. Yes, it is the custom to administer these
drugs, which, if given in sufficient quantity, pro-
duce complete insensibility.
Answer No. 43.
20. There are only native followers (lascars,
drivers and syees) with the battery.
I cannot find out that a single one of my
natives drinks or smokes these drugs.
Their personal experience seems, therefore, to
be nil.
I have selected four men, typical of the rest,
and intelligent, and asking them the following ques-
tions through an interpreter, give the answers:—
25. (i) and (ii) Decreasing.
(iii) Few only take them now.
(iv) Decreasing.
(i) Spread of education, etc.
(ii), (iii) and (iv) Unknown.
28. (i) Three pies.
(ii), (iii) and (iv) Unknown.
32. (i) In certain religious festivals (Devali,
etc.) bhang is drunk by those who do not drink
wine or native spirit. Correct to drink some-
thing; also used at marriages and happy festivals
(not at funerals).
(i) Certain religious festivals and marriages.
(iii) On Devali and holy days only.
(iv) Certain religious festivals and weddings.
33. (i) Not considered respectable.
(ii) Considered discreditable.
(iii) Not considered respectable.
(iv) Not respectable.