164

51. No, not in my regiment. The larger propor-
tion—in fact nearly all—of the really bad charac-
ters are non-consumers.

It is noticed that the habitual consumers are
more often punished for such offences as slackness
on duty, laziness, dirtiness of dress and accoutre-
ments, etc., but even here, as far as I can
ascertain, the proportion is very slightly larger.
It is very hard to tell in a Madras regiment, as
there are so few consumers.

53. I am informed that excessive indulgence is
known to incite to unpremeditated crime, both
violent and otherwise, but I can find out no case in
which it has occurred to the knowledge of all
I asked. They know of no case which has led
to a wish to commit injury or murder.

54. I am told that they are.

55. My informants tell me that this can be done,
and is done, and that complete stupefaction can be
induced without admixture.

The above information is all I have been able
to gather with the small means at my disposal. Had
the regiment not been in so many detachments, I
might from native and non-commissioned officers
away have been able to obtain more information.
The questions only reached me on the 13th instant.

              Answer No. 234.

None in this regiment uses bhang, charas or
ganja.

24. None.

25. The use of bhang, charas and ganja is on
the decrease as will appear from the following
consideration: out of 8 or 9 different tribes com-
posing this battery there is not a single man
addicted to the use of these drugs.

28. It depends upon the circumstances of the
consumer. A poor man can satisfy his craving with
2 pice worth of bhang, while a well-to-do man
may spend even 4 annas on it. For charas and
ganja 2 or 3 pies per diem are required.

32. There is no such custom among any parti-
cular class of men, but the Sikhs and beggars
(mendicants) are much addicted to the use of these
drugs.

33. Consumers of these drugs often say that
those who habitually travel from place to place
use bhang in order to avoid the disagreeableness
of the climate. Ganja and charas-consumers are
always seen to be suffering from debility, asthma
and other such diseases, and their complexion is also
impaired. These drugs are generally very harmful
for the army, for he who uses them is always
lazy, while military men should always be active
and strong, so that they may discharge their duties
with satisfaction. All these drugs have nothing
good in them, but bring disgrace to the consumer.

The consumers of these drugs are often seen
to be weak, suffering from asthma, and emaciated.

If doctors be consulted as to the use of these
drugs, they will surely detail the diseases arising
from their use.

None has been seen or heard to worship the
hemp plant.

39. It is very injurious to smoke preparations
of these drugs, but it is not so to eat sweetmeats
mixed with bhang.

41.  Even the moderate use of charas and
ganja is not beneficial. Bhang, of course, if used,
moderately, does create appetite and will serve as
a safeguard against the disagrecableness of the
climate, though it causes acidity.

42.  As noted under question 33, all the three
drugs are injurious and creative of weakness.

43.  The consumers of these drugs are often
offensive to their neighbours by their prating
or otherwise.

44.  A man who has become addicted to the use of
these drugs feels dull if he does not get the drug.
When the drug is taken it is refreshing and exhil-
arant. It causes delirium and leads to prating.
The use of these drugs does not allay hunger, but
the consumers of charas and ganja may lose their
appetite, owing to irregularities in their nervous
system. Bhang creates appetite, and its effect
lasts for two or three hours, but when the intoxica-
tion is over it causes inactivity, weakness and
restlessness.

49. It does no good at all, but causes weakness.

51. Bhang is used by many respectable men for
strengthening the digestive power, but charas and
ganja are generally used by bad characters, who
may abuse people under their influence. They,
however, never commit crime.