Medicine - Drugs > Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895 > Volume VIII
(34) Volume [8], Page 30
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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.
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