7
42. There is not sufficient evidence here to enable
me to answer this question.
43. I should say yes.
44. Clears the mind and acts as a tonic gen-
erally. At first distinctly refreshing, but if conti-
nued, its action is in some cases stupefying, whilst
others become exhilarated. Allays hunger in
confirmed consumers. Stimulates the appetite in
moderate indulgers. Length of effect varies with
amount consumed, and whether custom is estab-
lished. After-effects uncertain. Uneasiness and
longing certainly felt.
45. No cases have come under my observation in
which any deviation from perfect health could be
attributed to these drugs, nor have I had reason
to suspect that they were or had been indulged in.
As regards insanity, I cannot hear of any reliable
case worthy of being chronicled either for or
against the use of hemp.
46. Vide ante.
49. Bhang acts as an aphrodisiac. Not used by
prostitutes. In time hemp is said to produce im-
potence.
51. There is not sufficient evidence available
here to answer this question.
53. I cannot say. I know of no case in which
it has led to temporary homicidal mania.
54 and 55. Vide answer to question 51.
Answer No. 11.
20. The following are the numbers in each
branch of the forces :—
Artillery
91
Cavalry
318
Infantry
383
TOTAL
792
Of these there are—
Rajputs
276
Mussalman
362
Brahman
50
Hindus of other castes
104
The following are the numbers of—
Combatants
400
Non-combatants
392
Camp followers
28
Of these charas is drunk by—
Rajputs
6
Mussalman
1
Other Hindus
7
None take ganja.
24. One Rajput and 5 Brahmins drink bhang;
none eat it
25. The use of ganja, bhang and charas is on
the decrease as compared with former times, because
people are becoming more alive to the injury
caused by these drugs, and the officers now exer-
cise complete supervision.
28. The average consumption of bhang is 3
mashas, 3 pies, that of charas 3 mashas, 6 pies,
and ganja 6 mashas, 3 pies, among moderate
consumers. The others take larger quantities,
which cannot be given exactly.
32. The consumption of these drugs is not cus-
tomary on any religious occasion, but among Hindus
those who abstain from liquor as a rule take more
or less of them at the Holi festival for a few days,
and by taking them in this way they acquire the
habit of consumption. There is no fair or other
occasion on which this is the case.
33. The consumption of bhang is considered less
discreditable than that of ganja and charas so long
as it is not taken to an extent which produces
intoxication. There is no special public opinion in
regard to the consumption of these drugs in the
Army, but generally in the Army the consumption
of these is considered as a vice, because they do
harm and no good, and injure the health, because if
they cannot be procured at the usual time, the
excretions from the body are affected, hunger is
not felt, sleep is interfered with, restlessness is
produced, and there is a disinclination to work.
There is no custom by which any section of people
worship ganja, bhang or charas.
39. Ganja and charas are only smoked and are
not consumed in any other way. Bhang is taken
in several ways: (1) It is ground and mixed with
water; (2) it is dried and mixed with other things,
like til, black pepper, almonds, pistachio nuts,
sugar, etc., and eaten dry; (3) it is made into
majum and gulkund; (4) it is put into milk
and the curds are eaten. Ghi also is made from
it and used. Of all these ways of consuming bhang
the first is the least injurious. The effect of
bhang is cooling and astringent (sardi aur khush
ki lati hai). If it is taken ground in water, coolness
is produced more quickly by which the secretion of
urine is promoted, thirst is diminished, digestion
aided, and hunger increased. These results do not
follow from taking it in other ways.
41. All these things are intoxicants and at first,
when taken in small quantities, they appear to be
beneficial, and so the consumers acquire the habit;
but after a little while they do no good, but harm,
so it may be said that from first to last these in-
toxicating drugs are injurious.
42. Moderate use is not harmless or beneficial,
for, under all circumstances, once the habit is acquir-
ed, the ill-effects mentioned in No. 33 become ap-
parent, and they injure both the strength and body.
43. A very moderate use does not render the
consumer offensive to his neighbours. Moderate
consumers do no harm, but in comparison with
abstainers all consumers are considered less trust-
worthy, and people are always afraid of consumers
being quarrelsome.
44. The effect of taking these drugs is imme-
diate. There is a sense of cheerfulness (frarhat)
and of slight intoxication (nasha ka sorur). Hun-
ger is caused, and the effect of all these drugs is
different, i. e., the effect of bhang on those who take
it once a day lasts till the time for taking it comes
round again, and the effect of ganja and charas on
those who smoke them frequently lasts about two
hours, and if they are used to take it in modera-
tion only the effect lasts for six hours, but this is
generally at night, for, as a rule, these people as-
sociate with their friends and lovers (yar-ashna)
in the day (and take them frequently). Afterwards
if they do not take them, the signs (of consump-
tion) mentioned in No. 33 become apparent.
45. Consumption in small quantities is, like a
hired pony (bháre ka tattu proverb-the slave of habit).
If it is not taken when wanted hunger goes off.
Even if new food or dainty dishes are cooked,
there is no pleasure in them. Consumers of bhang,
ganja and charas are generally liable to these ill-
nesses-diseases of the liver or kidneys (gurda) and
lungs. It is said that brain disease is also a result,
such as imbecility or insanity. These results come
more quickly from large consumption and more
slowly from small quantities. If they are given
up after one has been used to taking them for ten