Remarks.
I do not think the asylum is the proper place
in which to study the effects of ganja smoking.
Out of 155 inmates there are only 19 where
there is a doubtful history of ganja smoking, and
I have the names of K2, more who say they have
smoked the drug, that gives 41 out of the total,
or 26 per cent.
The people who could give the best information
would lie the malgluzars of the different villages,
for there is no doubt that there are a very great
number of cases of temporary insanity lasting a.
week due to the smoking of ganja, of which we
hear nothing.
The drug is doubtless an exciting cause of in-
sanity along with drink, but I am inlined. to
believe that in India it is more the cause of crime
than drink is, owing to the sudden and excessive
excitement which is one of the first symptoms.
Ink very few of the cases admitted as from the
effects of ganja smoking have we a positive proof
that the man ever smoked the drug. Take the
case of Bairoo ; he was admitted on the 18th July
1570 ; was found wandering about and was sup-
posed to be dangerous. Hem had just been deserted
by his wife. He was discharged three months
after and was re-admitted in 1874 ; supposed cause
ganja, but in this case the desertion off his wife vas
the immediate cause which unhinged his brain,
He has never been violent, and I should say
that this insanity was not due to the drug.
Case No. 2.—We have a history of ganja smok-
ing, and unnatural and irrational violent excite-
ment, the period of excitement being an utter
blank.
—
Case No. 3 - . There is no reliable history of
ganja smoking.
Case No. 4.—Is certainly very doubtful. She
is practically dumb and has a small deformed head
and is evidently deficient in intellect. Ganja may
have been the exciting cause.
Case No. 5.—Mussammat Shaishama.—There is
a history of ganja smoking', and this may be the
cause.
Case No, 6.— He is intemperate and dissolute,
and also a great ganja smoker. This latter drug
may have helped to produce insanity, and I dare
sa y it was under the influence of the drug that he
attempted to throw his brother's child into the
well.
Case No. 7 is doubtful, and so is No. 8. No. 9
is due, I think, to the immediate effects of ganja,
except in this case the man knew that lie had
committed some offence, for lie ran away.
10. Atmaram.—This man states that he now
and then smoked ganja. He has apparently been
insane for seven years. There is no history of via-
lem'e or very unusual excitement, and I very much
doubt doubt if ganja smoking has had anything to do
with his present condition, It is very doubtful it
he even ever smoked ganja, for it is utterly im-
possible to believe what he says.
11. Tajoodin.—There was no history sent with
this man, and very little that is reliable can be
oi)tained from him. The Magistrate says that the
cause of insanity was unknown. The medical
officer of the dispensary, Kamptee, says that is
supposed to be a great ganja smoker. The mar
has occasional fits of excitement followed by depres,
s i o n , a n d h e h a s l a t e l y b e c o m ev
e r y s u s p i c i o u s
shies at every thing he passes,
Here again the ganja smoking is doubtful,
He has apparently been known to have been insane
for five years, and during that time there is his
history of violence.
12.
Itwagir.—No history was sent with this
man. He is a beggar. He was admitted into
the asylum violent, noisy and filthy, abusive and
incoherent. Beyond the man's own statement it
is not certain that he ever smoked the drug.
Ak6ar Khan.—This man was also a beggar ;
used to sit at a certain spot Ain the city, and had
been doing so for years. He is supposed to be a
gaup, smoker, but there is no evidence beyond his
own word that he ever smoked the drug. He is
a great talker, very abusive, but is never violent.
Rudraya.—This man is also a beggar, and has
no friends or relative. The supposed cause is exces-
sive ganja smoking. He certainly when admitted
showed signs of violent mania, which may have
been caused by smoking ganja, but there is little
known about him before hem was found sitting
on the banks of the river.
Kalekhan.—There is here a history of gania
smoking, but can we put clown the ganja as the
predisposing or the exciting cause ? He was very
depressed with occasional fits of excitement the
first few days of admission, and these fits of excite-
ment continue, but with longer intervals.
Case No. 14.—Was not due to the effect of the
immediate consumption of ganja, for the attack
was premeditated.
Case 15 is very doubtful.
Case 16 is Dore. of a religious mania.
Case 17 is no doubt a ganja smoker.
Case 18 is due possibly to ganja, for he does not
realise what he is doing.
Out of these 18 cases, only 3 or at the Most 4
can be put down as the result of ganja smoking.
Ganja smoking would, I think, have more effect
on the poor, especially the beggar class, and so
cause insanity, but poverty and want of food and
ill-usage must also be taken into account.
Lunatics at present in the Asylum who are de.
c l a r e d t o b e g a n j a s m o k e r s 6 y e i t h e r t h e P o l i c e
or _Magistrates.
1. Bairoo—Was deserted by his wife, and was
admitted for acute mania. Was discharged a few
months after cured.
Three years after was re-admitted for chrome
mania. The warrant states that lie is a ganja
smoker.
Remark.—I cannot think this case cat be put
down to ganja ; the primary cause was the deser-
tion by his wife.
2. Dyaram.—I think this a genuine case of
l ganja smoking, There is no history of this man
previous to his committing the crime.
The symptoms are those I should put down to
ganja, that is, a sudden fit of paroxysmal insanity
and forgetfulness of what had been done.
3. Pancham Chamar—Was admitted into jail
and diagnosed as acute mania, Is supposed to be
;
a ganja smoker, but I do not think the symptoms
[ are those of ganja smoking.
is
. Mussamat Morki—Was first admitted Ain
1872, and was then considered to be congenitally
deficient in mental power; power of speech imp-
, perfect. Five years after she was discharged, and
27 days after was re-admitted for chronic dementia