53

or alcohol and is later on followed by a desire to
sleep. It does not allay hunger, but produces
appetite. Its effects last for from four to five hours.
I cannot ascertain if any immediate after-effects
follow. The want of it produces uneasiness, but
after abstinence for a week or two the uneasiness
passes away.

45. There is no doubt that the habitual moder-
ate use of these drugs will produce bad physical
mental and moral effects. Bhang seems to be less
injurious in its effects. It does decidely impair the
constitution and makes the user spiritless, emaciat-
ed and decrepit. Although its temporary effect
is to create appetite, its ultimate effect is to impair
digestion and destroy appetite; its continued use is
very likely to cause dysentery, bronchitis and asth-
ma. The moral sense is dulled and from its
powerful aphrodisiac effect it is likely to cause
immorality and debauchery, but its ultimate effect
in this direction will be to cause impotence.

It deadens the intellect and causes insanity. In
the only case which has come under my notice
during my short service, I considered it both the
exciting and predisposing cause. This was a case
of acute mania resulting from its use, and that of
a temporary nature. The symptoms would cer-
tainly be likely to recur on liberation from restraint
and fresh indulgence. It is my opinion that in-
sanity would become chronic unless indulgence in
their use were ceased. I cannot say if there are
any symptoms particularly typical of the insanity
caused by use of the drug.

46. The excessive use of the drug will produce
a train of symptoms similar to those described in
question 45, which will be marked by more rapid
onset and be more pronounced.

49. Yes, apparently; but it is believed that
lengthened use leads to impotence.

51. It is believed that habitual use leads to a
craving which must be gratified, and that if other
means fail to obtain the drug, gambling and steal-
ing are resorted to.

53.  No case known.

54.  It is not known.

55.  It appears that the simple administration
of these drugs does not produce complete stupe-
faction.

                            Answer No. 75.

20. (a) Combatants—

(c) Authorised camp followers—

Smoke ganja—

No other castes smoke ganja.

Charas is not smoked at all here.

24. Bhang is not eaten in the regiment. It is
drunk when the weather is hot occasionally by
about—

By none of these, however, it is taken habit-
ually.

25. Charas is never used here.

The use of ganja and bhang is on the decrease.
Men are rather looked down upon by their com-
rades and by their superiors, who are habitual con-
sumers.

28. Bhang about a tola, costing about a pie.
It is only consumed occasionally, however. Ganja
about 4 tolas, costing about one anna.

32.  At the Mahá Shivratri festival followers of
Shiva place bhang before his shrine.

It is offered to him by his devotees because they
consider that he is fond of drinking it.

33.   The consumption of these drugs, especially
ganja and charas, is on the whole in disrepute, except
when taken occasionally only and in very small
quantities. Smokers of ganja are more in disre-
pute than eaters or drinkers of bhang, because it
has a worse effect upon men. No custom of
worshipping the hemp plant is known of, but only
the custom referred to in No. 32 ante.

39. Smoking a preparation of the hemp plant is
thought to be more injurious than drinking or
eating it, because the former habit allows the fumes
to get to the brain with powerful effect.

41.  The use of these drugs even in moderation
cannot be said to be beneficial in its effects.

42.  Not if taken habitually, as men who are
habitual consumers are inclined to be heavy, lazy,
and stupid, and make poor soldiers.

43.  They have a very unpleasant smell, but are
otherwise inoffensive.