25
this regiment, and as far as it is concerned, there-
fore, there are no grounds for the formation of an
opinion on any of the queries made under this
section 45.
46. No grounds for any opinion, as stated in
45.
49. No.
51. None.
53. I have never come across a case in this
regiment.
54 and 55. Not to my knowledge.
Answer No. 36.
20. Eight hundred and eighty-
nine.
(a)
Combatants—
Muhammadans
839
Hindus
44
Christians
6
TOTAL
889
(b) Non-combatants—
Hindus
10
Muhammadans
31
Sweepers
8
TOTAL
49
Among Muhammadans.—None.
Among low-caste Hindus.—The greater number
smoke ganja, but not charas, which is more ex-
pensive.
Among Native Christians.—A few smoke ganja.
24. So far as is known, no men in the regi-
ment eat or drink bhang habitually, but the low-
caste Hindus and Sikhs do not refuse it if offered,
and on ceremonial and religious occasions do use
it.
25. There is no apparent increase or decrease
in the use of these drugs in the regiment.
28. Said by Kahars who indulge in it to be
on the average about one masha (5 grains)
costing 2 pice per diem.
32. It is the custom amongst the Hindu sepoys
to offer ganja to any friends who come to visit
them just as we offer a peg. On all Hindu
holidays and festivals, bhang is largely drunk by
all Hindu sepoys who go to the city, and also on
ceremonial occasions.
33. A Hindu who was notoriously apt to exceed
his average consumption and to take bhang or
smoke ganja to excess would certainly be despised. A
Muhammadan who should ever taste bhang or smoke
ganja would be despised by all his comrades.
39. There is no evidence in the regiment to
show, as no men are openly known to habitually
eat or drink any preparation of hemp, only to
smoke it.
41. Used in a moderate way, on occasions of
privation or exhaustion, it seems probable that it
may have a beneficial effect.
42. In this regiment no harm has been proved
to result from the moderate use.
43. Yes.
44. The immediate effect is said to be a feeling
of mild excitement and general well-being. It
certainly seems to refresh the consumer mentally
and bodily for the time being. It probably in
this way allays hunger. The effect of a moderate
amount smoked by a habitual consumer is said
to last from one to two hours. Apparently there
are no after-effects and no longing or uneasiness.
45. So far as I have been able to judge during
the year I have served with this regiment,
no noxious effects, physical, mental or moral,
have been produced by the use of preparations of
Indian hemp.
Its use has not ostensibly to me impaired the
constitution, or injured the digestion, or caused loss
of appetite, caused dysentery, bronchitis or
asthma, impaired the moral sense, or induced
laziness or habits of immorality or debauchery, in
any men in the regiment. But in considering
my answer to this question, it should be borne in
mind that this is a Mahomedan regiment and
that the Mahomedans as a class do not indulge in
any form of this drug. The remaining Hindus
in this regiment, with a few exceptions, belong
to a caste of men who are not physically or consti-
tutionally robust, and have for the most part gone
through the vicissitudes and wear and tear of
12 to 15 years' service.
They have probably all their lives been addicted
to a moderate indulgence in ganja-smoking.
How far the general loss of muscular tone,
premature "agedness," and apparent mental
obtuseness, which is noticeable among them, is
traceable to the former, and how much to their
moderate indulgence in ganja, I am unable to
determine. No case of insanity has been seen.
46. The drugs are not known to have been used
to excess in the regiment; certainly no case of
excess has come under my observation.
[Questions 45 and 46 answered by Medical
Officer.]
49. No.
51. Compared to the general population, yes.
I do not think there is any causal relation.
53. Excessive indulgence in all these drugs,
specially ganja and charas, leads to impairment
of the moral faculties; habitual ganja-smokers,
specially if they indulge in it largely, have the
reputation of hot and hasty tempers. Beyond
what can be inferred from the above, I do not
think there is any special tendency towards the
commission of any crime.
No.
54. No.
55. Yes.
Yes.