Medicine - Drugs > Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895 > Volume VIII
(61) Volume [8], Page 57
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43. Yes, certainly.
44. The
immediate effect of the moderate use
of bhang is refreshing, produces little intoxication,
and has a soothing effect, and creates appetite; effect
lasts for three hours; that of charas and ganja has
an exciting effect and lasts for an hour. The
want of subsequent gratification produces longing
and uneasiness.
45. None, so far as ascertained.
No.
No, rather the contrary.
Smoking of ganja and charas said to cause
tendency to bronchitis and asthma.
No.
Have known of no case of
insanity influenced
by use of these drugs.
None.
None.
Excessive use of bhang is
said to cause heaviness
and general laziness, followed by irritability.
Excessive smoking ganja
and charas is irritat-
ing to bronchial tubes, and causes excitement and
noisy conversation.
49. Ganja and charas are
said to be used as an
aphrodisiac.
51. Have had no
opportunities of judging. I
should say not.
53 and 54. No.
55. Cannot say; have had
no opportunities of
judging.
Yes; certain men can be
affected in this way
but only about 10 per cent. of all cases.
Answer No. 81.
20. Total strength of regiment |
791 |
Combatants. |
Followers |
Total |
||
Mahrattas |
360 |
11 |
371 |
|
Sikhs |
14 |
1 |
15 |
|
Jains |
13 |
0 |
13 |
|
Hindustanis |
144 |
2 |
146 |
|
Rajputs |
34 |
0 |
34 |
|
Parwaris and |
||||
Mochis |
110 |
13 |
123 |
|
Muhammadans |
116 |
7 |
123 |
|
TOTAL |
791 |
34 |
825 |
(a) Combatants |
791 |
(b) Non-combatants |
2 |
(c) Camp followers |
32 |
TOTAL |
825 |
Smoke ganja—
Muhammadans |
2 |
Deccani Mahratta |
1 |
Parwaris |
2 |
Concani Mahrattas |
2 |
No men in the regiment smoke charas.
24. Two Pardesis in the
regiment eat and
drink bhang.
25. The use of these drugs is on the decrease.
I am unable to give any reasons for this.
28. About 1 anna per diem.
32. I am unable to
ascertain that there are any
customs, either social or religious, in regard to the
consumption of any of these drugs. Native
officers of experience state that they are not
aware of any such customs.
33. The
consumption of all these drugs is re-
garded generally with disfavour by all ranks in
the native army, as they are considered debili-
tating and demoralising. There appears to be
no custom of worshipping the hemp plant by any
sects enlisted in the regiment.
39. If ganja is mixed
with tobacco and smoked
from a pipe, it is considered by natives less inju-
rious than if drunk or eaten. But the medical
officers of the regiment consider it the most in-
jurious form of consumption, for the following
reasons:—
(1) It induces asthma,
bronchitis and finally
emphysemus of the lungs.
(2) Intoxication is more
speedily induced and
more violent while it lasts, and the man has
less control over himself and less remem-
brance of what he has done. The effect,
unless a large dose is taken, is, however, less
lasting The medical officer is also of opi-
nion that insanity and moral intellectual
decay are more commonly seen in smokers
in excess than among drinkers of bhang.
41. Yes.
(1) It improves the appetite.
(2) Produces an agreeable
exhilaration, with in-
creased intellectual and motor activity.
(3) Gives increased willingness for work.
(4) Removes feeling of
lassitude and fatigue
and diminishes in this way risk of malarial in-
fections.
42. See replies to query 41.
43. Yes;
judging from the men in the regi-
ment, who are only moderate consumers.
44. It is
said to produce a pleasing sensation
of alertness and inclination to undertake any hard
work. It is said to be refreshing and does not
produce intoxication. It does not allay hunger,
but creates appetite. Its effects last about half
an hour, when a sense of drowsiness sets in, and
the person becomes inert and disinclined for work.
There is said to be no inclination for another dose
immediately afterwards, but a great inclination
for a dose at the usual time of daily indulgence.
45. Smoking even in
moderation is in my
opinion injurious.
Drinking bhang in
moderation is not, i.e.,
half to one tola to a pint of
water twice or thrice
daily.
Not drinking in moderation.
No. Drinking in
moderation stimulates the
appetite.
Smoking causes asthma and
bronchitis. Drink-
ing does not. It is a useful remedy, and used
as such by native hakims in dysentery and
diarrhœa.
No.
No. The only case of
insanity I have seen,
in which there was an authentic history of bhang-
drinking and ganja-smoking, was also a confirmed
tippler of country liquor.
I cannot say.
I
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