28

                                                                                                                                        FORM B.

                                                                          Showing the numbers in each caste or class that smoke ganja and drink bhang.

C.—Answer to question 46. (By Medical Officer.)

(1)   Habitual excessive use of any of these
drugs does produce noxious effects. physical,
mental and moral. I have not seen many "charas"
consumers on this side. Excessive use of bhang
is not so bad as that of ganja.

(2)  Excessive use of bhang weakens the consti-
tution; that of ganja does the same, but to a
greater extent.

(3)  Excessive use of bhang injures digestion
and causes loss of appetite in the Iong run; that of
ganja does the same, but a little earlier.

(4)  Habitual excessive use of bhang does not
cause dysentery, bronchitis or asthma; while
that of ganja causes bronchitis.

(5)  Habitual excessive use of bhang impairs
the moral sense, and induces laziness and habits of
immorality and debauchery, while that of ganja
does the same, but to a greater extent and much
earlier.

(6)  Excessive habitual use of bhang deadens
the intellect and produces insanity at times, while
that of ganja deadens the intellect to a greater
extent, and often induces insanity. It excites
insanity, generally temporary mania in a person
predisposed to it. The symptoms may be re-induced
by the use of the drug after liberation from the
restraint. I know of no typical symptoms; insanes
when asked whether they were ganja smokers
readily confess to the use of the drug.

(7)  Many typical cases of insanity from exces-
sive use of hemp-plant preparations have not come
under my observation.

                        Answer No. 40.

24.  (a) Nil.

(b) Fifteen Hindus.

25.  The use of these drags in the regiment is
on the decrease, many of the consumers having left
the regiment.

28. The average allowance and cost of these
drugs per diem is as follows:—

Bhang—25 grains, cost about 1 pie.
Charas—27     "       "       "     7 pies.
Ganja— consumption nil.

The custom is a social, not a religious one. It
is consumed on no other account than for its pleas-
ing, stimulating and supposed beneficial effects
similar to other drugs.

S3. The consumption of these drugs is generally
regarded as bad.

The opinion regarding the practice is that bhang
neutralizes the effects of a new climate, and is
beneficial in diarrhoea and dysentery.

Charas and ganja have sedative effects, and are
not generally preferred to bhang. There is no
custom of worshipping the hemp plant.

39. No. On the contrary, it is more injurious as
it is liable to produce faintness, or even loss of con-
sciousness, as an immediate effect, and bronchitis or
asthma as a more remote consequence.

41.  Yes; the moderate use of bhang only is con-
sidered by the natives who use it to be somewhat
beneficial.

42.  The moderate use of bhang is supposed to
be not only harmless, but even beneficial, as it in-
creases the appetite and neutralizes the effects of
climate, according to the ideas of consumers.

43.  Yes.

44.  The immediate effect is primarily stimulant.
It does not produce intoxication, neither does it
allay hunger. It increases the appetite. The
lasting effect is brief. There are no after-effects
The want of subsequent gratification produces
uneasiness.

45.  (a) The habitual moderate use of bhang
appears to be harmless, and is even regarded as
beneficial by those natives who consume it so. The
use of ganja and charas, especially the latter, habi-
tually m moderation seems to induce physical
cesions, viz., asthma and chronic bronchitis,but only
in the course of many years.