46
Answer No. 65.
20. (a) Combatants
909
(b) Non -combatants
7
(c) Authorised camp followers
39
(a) Combatants
about 3 per cent.
(b) Non-combatants
Nil.
(c) Authorised camp followers
8
24. None.
25. Neither ganja nor bhang are apparently
obtainable here. The amount of charas sold is
much less than formerly.
The reason of this decrease in consumption of
charas, as far as I have been able to ascertain, is
that the old charas-smokers have died, or taken
their discharge, and the men entertained in their
place have not contracted the habit.
28. About 22 grains, worth 3 pies, per diem.
32. There are none, as far as I have been able
to ascertain.
33. A charas-smoker is looked on as a man of
bad repute. The men generally smoke it secretly.
The other men say that a smoker of charas
generally loses his soldierly instincts, gets nervous,
starts at the least thing, his perceptions get dim,
and he loses courage. I have not been able to
ascertain any custom of worshipping the hemp
plant.
39. I believe that low-caste Hindus and poor
people smoke charas or ganja, which has a much
more injurious effect and is more intoxicating than
eating bhang.
41. No benefit from the moderate use of charas
or ganja. Bhang is said to be cooling in the hot
weather, and to give a good appetite when drunk
before meals.
42. The moderate use of charas dulls the in-
tellect for the time being, but apparently, it is said,
increases the appetite. In small doses bhang does
not harm.
43. Yes.
44. After charas-smoking in small doses, slight
intoxication is the first effect. Not refreshing.
Does not allay hunger. Increases appetite. In-
toxication lasts about two hours, afterwards some-
times headaches, always laziness. There is always
a longing for more after the first intoxication.
45. Charas-smokers lose their muscular develop-
ment and become thin. Bhang has apparently
not this effect. Ganja has also a bad effect on the
muscular system.
Charas does not cause loss of appetite or hinder
the digestion, and the same applies to bhang and
ganja in moderate doses. Charas causes bronchitis
and asthma. All the preparations induce laziness,
but not habits of immorality, though they may
induce debauchery.
They deaden the intellect
markedly and produce insanity, but this injurious
effect is principally due to charas. The use of
bhang not predisposing to insanity with anything
like the same effect as charas. Not having seen
any cases of insanity due to the use of these drugs,
I cannot give any reliable information as to the
type, symptoms, etc., etc.
46. From the habitual excessive use of charas
the person becomes emaciated, the appetite is lost,
digestion impaired. Bronchitis and asthma are
induced, and the intellect is so dulled that the
smoker passes into a state of imbecility. I can
give no information as regards excessive use of
bhang.
I am unable to instance any cases of insanity, as
the drug is not in great demand here.
49. I believe it is no use as an aphrodisiac.
51. No.
53. It makes a man talkative, argumentative,
and sometimes insubordinate.
54 and 55. I cannot say.
Answer No. 66.
20. Six hundred and twenty-five.
Sikhs
153
Hindustani Muhammadans
210
Muhammadans of Darajat and
Panjabis
111
Other Hindus
32
Christians
4
Pathans and Afridis beyond and
within British territory
105
(a) Combatants
615
(b) Non-combatants
36
(c) Authorised camp followers
Nil.
Few Pathans only use charas, but they are
not habitual consumers.
24. None.
25. It is certainly not on the increase, as no one
has been noticed consuming them.
28. Price varies in localities.
In the country where these drugs are grown
the cost of them would be small. Carriage and
octroi dues add greatly to the original cost.
32 and 33. Unknown.
39. Perhaps.
41 and 42. They may be.
43. Have never heard any complaint.
44. Unknown.
The following answers are not the result of per-
sonal experience but obtained by interrogating
some men of this regiment who used charas only.
45. Used for many years it appears to impair the
mental, physical and moral powers. Prolonged use
impairs the constitution. In some cases it quick-
ens appetite, in others impairs digestion.
It does not.
In some cases it tends to laziness; in others it
leads to debauchery.
It at first appears to sharpen the intellect. I
have no evidence that it produces insanity, having
no personal experience of the narcotic or deleterious
effects of any of the products of this drug.
In some cases it appears to relieve persons suffer-
ing from mental worry and anxiety.
I have not been able to acquire any information
regarding this subject in the Medical History
Sheets or Medical Records in the hospital of this
regiment.
46. The prolonged excessive use of charas seems