Medicine - Drugs > Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895 > Volume VIII
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107
Ganja-smokers— |
|
Muhammadans |
12 |
Bombay Presidency Hindus |
5 |
Rajputana Hindus |
4 |
Sikh |
1 |
Hindustani Hindus |
6 |
Christian |
1 |
TOTAL |
29 |
24. Only one Bombay Hindu and one
Hindus-
tani Hindu are said to drink bhang.
25. I am informed that it is on the
decrease,
though on service probably the use would increase.
Reasons are not forthcoming.
28. Ganja is smoked twice
a day. Amount con-
sumed is equal in weight to that of 2 pice, which
sum is the cost also. Of bhang about 2 tolas is
consumed, cost about 2 pies.
32. I know of none, nor can I find any
one
who can tell me of any custom, social or religious,
with regard to the consumption of these drugs,
except that a man never sits down alone to either
smoke ganja or drink bhang, but always with one
or two others.
33. With regard to the first three queries,
I am
informed that men who do not consume these
drugs rather look down on those who do consume
them, probably for the same reason that they look
down upon consumers of intoxicating spirits.
With regard to the fourth
query, not that I
know of.
39. The general opinion
seems to be that the
least injurious way of consuming these drugs is
smoking. I am unable to give reasons.
41. It is said to increase the appetite—in
fact, to
be a sort of tonic.
42. I can only state that it is the general
opinion
of the native officers that taken regularly in small
quantities these drugs are harmless or almost so.
43. Not regular consumers.
44. (1) It acts as stimulant and appetiser.
(2) Drinking bhang is said to be refreshing.
(3) It does if taken in large quantities.
(4) It does not allay hunger.
(5) The effect of ganja is said to last
three or
four hours, that of bhang longer, particularly if a
man takes it who is not in the habit of doing so.
(6) After the effect has passed off a
consumer is
apt to be somewhat apathetic and lazy.
(7) Regular consumers suffer if their
supply is
cut off.
45. I have not much personal knowledge of
the
use of these drugs, but I am informed that in
moderation there is no noxious effect.
Yes, in excess.
I believe so.
I am informed that it
causes bronchitis and
asthma, also laryngitis.
Yes, in excess.
I have no definite
experience of this drug pro-
ducing insanity; but I have had men insane under
my care whose disease has been attributed to the
excess in use of these drugs. But no cases of
insanity have been under me in this regiment.
Unknown.
46. I have no experience of these drugs
in
excess except as named in paragraph 45. Cases
have been brought to me who suffered from bronchitis,
asthma and laryngitis and which diseases were
attributable to the use of these drugs, but it is
difficult to know whether they were excessive
smokers or drinkers of these drugs.
49. No, I believe not.
51. I am unable to say.
53. No.
I do not.
54. I believe they are sometimes.
55. (1) I cannot say.
(2) Yes. particularly in the case of a
person who
is not a habitual consumer.
Answer No. 159.
20. (a) Combatants — |
|
Mussalmans |
397 |
Hindus |
128 |
Other classes |
25 |
TOTAL |
550 |
(b) Non-combatants— |
|
Hindu |
1 |
Other classes |
1 |
TOTAL |
2 |
(c) Authorised camp followers— |
|
Mussulmans |
9 |
Hindus |
3 |
Other classes. |
620 |
TOTAL |
632 |
Fifteen Muhammadans and 9 Hindus
smoke
ganja; none charas.
24. None.
25. Decreasing apparently, as there are fewer
known smokers in the regiments now than there
were some years ago.
28. Three pies.
32. I know of none.
33. It is
looked upon as a bad habit, apparently
because it is generally a lazy and indifferent sol-
dier who goes in for it; whether he would have
been a better soldier without it I cannot say.
39. I do not know, nor has the Medical
Officer
any experience on this point. But consumers ap-
parently only smoke.
41. The Medical Officer of the regiment
tells
me he is not aware of any possible beneficial effect
except the strictly medicinal uses, which are limited.
Apparently the native officers think it allays
hunger.
42. The Medical Officer of the regiment
says that
speaking from a very limited, experience he
is
of opinion
that a regular, though moderate, use of
these drugs is harmful, in that it tends to moral
and physical degeneration.
43. Yes. Apparently so.
44. My
native officers reply as follows:—
(1) Somewhat of an aphrodisiac.
(2) No.
(3) Yes.
(4) and (5) No.
(6) Depends on the amount consumed.
P 2
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