296
were attributed to the use of ganja, bhang, opium
and spirits; and that out of 48 cures, 39 belonged
to the above class.
"My Returns prove the same fact; out of 190
cases treated in 1865, 99 were attributed to in-
toxicating drugs; and out of 75 new admissions,
44 were due to the same causes.
"In each case, the percentage is very large.
"Lastly, out of 363 new admissions in all the
Asylums of Bengal, 329 were attributed to in-
dulgence in ganja, bhang, opium, or spirit, i.e., 90.6
per cent. of all the cases. If these exciting causes
were checked or removed, the asylums would
speedily be depopulated." (Robert F. Hutchin-
son, M.D.—Annual Report, Patna Lunatic Asylum,
for 1865.)
8. "Ganja still continues to appear as the fruit-
ful cause of insanity in nearly four-fifths of the
cases where the cause is known.
"Orders have recently been issued, which, it is
hoped, will tend to procure a better history of the
antecedents of lunatics." (Government Resolu-
tion, 1866 (signed) A. Eden, Secretary, Govern-
ment Bengal.)
[This wish, expressed in 1866, has not been
fulfilled even at the present time. J. H. T. W.]
9. "The abuse of intoxicating drugs, especially
of ganja, is answerable for 46.5 per cent. of the
admissions; amongst the rest 3 were unknown, 3
were attributed to starvation, the rest being due
to moral causes, such as grief, anger, fright, and
religious excitement.
"I fully believe that the excessive use of ganja
or spirits may lead to insanity, but I am not
prepared to give my adhesion to the opinion that
the moderate use of opium has any evil effect
on the brain. I believe its action to have a
directly opposite effect, for whilst other stimulants
deaden the intellectual faculties and excite the
passions, opium calms the passions, and healthily
exalts the intellectual and moral faculties.
"Re-admissions.—There were 3 re-admissions;
2 of persons discharged cured in 1865, and 1
who was discharged cured in May 1866; one of
the 3 was addicted to the excessive use of ganja,
and another to muddut; there is no record that
the third was addicted to the use of any intoxi-
cating drug." (N. Jackson, M.D.—Annual Report,
Cuttack Lunatic Asylum, for 1866.)
10. "As in former reports, the largest propor-
tion is ascribed to indulgence in ganja. The ratio
from this cause in the last five years has been as
follows:—
In 1863
30.5
1864
49
1865
46.8
1866
38.9
1867
35.7
Average
40.1
"Indulgence in ganja, however, is always asso-
ciated with other vices, such as spirit drinking and
debauchery.
The outbreak of mental disease
cannot, except in a few cases, be referred to this
narcotic alone. The return is more correctly a
record of the number of ganja smokers among the
lunatics.
"Statement No. 6 shows the trades or occupa-
tions of those admitted during 1867. The largest
number was furnished by those who engaged in
domestic service, including those employed under
European and Native masters. Twenty-one, or
27.2 per cent. were servants. In former years
this proportion was only 8 per cent. This rise
is due to the irregular habits and debauched
lives led by Mahommedan servants, more spe-
cially by those serving in large towns. A second
cause is the shameful practice followed by rich
Natives of keeping a servant, generally a boy,
who is forced to intoxicate himself and perform
indecent dances, not as a warning to others, like
the helot of old, but as an entertainment for his
master and his companions. One of these miser-
able creatures was admitted during the year."
(James Wise, M.D.—Annual Report, Dacca Lunatic
Asylum for 1867.)
11. "The excessive use of intoxicating drugs,
ganja specially, has contributed 22 cases, or 44.9
per cent. of the number treated. Of the narcotics
used, dhatura has on two occasions been noted
among the exciting causes. I allude particularly
to this drug in connection with the case of Bunkall
who was admitted in August under the following
circumstances:—
"He had been an Inspector in the Irrigation
Works six years, always bore a good and upright
character, and had given uniform satisfaction, so
much so that when one of the Executive Engineers
was absent on sick leave, Bunkall was placed in
charge of extensive and very important works;
previous to this he was already doing the work
of another subordinate, so that at one time he
was doing the work of three men. Mr. Bunkall's
previous health had never been good; he was sub-
ject to spasmodic asthma; during the damp
weather it was so bad that his medical attendant
recommended him to live two miles away from his
works, and among other remedies ordered the
dhatura to be smoked. Bunkall derived so much
benefit from this that he resorted to it on every
occasion he was distressed. Tobacco was also free-
ly used, but never with the dhatura. The leaves of
the plant were chiefly employed. For six months
he continued in this habit, on some occasions
smoking two or three pipes a day; about this time
he was heard to complain of pain and pressure on
the head. Here, then, were two exciting causes:
excessive mental and bodily occupation, and second-
ly, dhatura-smoking. The difficulties of the case
were, that when relieved of some of his work
on giving over charge he suddenly burst into
a fit of craziness, and declared he was poisoned
and surrounded by conspirators. For the first
two months of his stay in the Asylum, he lost
greatly in flesh and was violently maniacal;
official visitors and others who had seen him
on these occasions were struck with the change
in his condition, and had no doubt of his insanity.
For some days he was so morose that he refused
all food, and had to be fed by the stomach
pump.
He slowly improved, but had two or
three relapses. Since then he has steadily re-
covered, but not sufficiently to justify his dis-
charge. Orders have been received to transfer
him to Bhowanipore, where he can be better treat-
ed than in an asylum in which no provision is yet
made for European cases,
[This patient was admitted into the Bhowanipur
Asylum on the 22nd January 1868.
"January 25th: Appears perfectly intelligent
and rational still, and his religious views seem to
have less possession of him; employs himself
painting." Left the Asylum quite sane on the
14th March 1868.—J. H. T. W.]