551
with the ganja theory. Besides, he had a
curiously malformed head, and I associated his
insanity with that. It is possible that the adjec-
tives and expressions used in a brief certificate
might be the same while expressing what would
appear to the observer different symptoms. Thus
"noisy" and "delusions" might be used. But
the character of the noise and of the delusions in
ganja insanity are peculiar in themselves. All
I had to certify was enough to show the man
insane, so I did not go into detailed distinctions.
All that is required is to leave no doubt in the
Magistrate's mind that the man is insane. You
would, of course, in such cases, omit any doubtful
matter.
I remember the case of Saheb Ram (1892). I
knew the garden well, and got a full account of
the case. It was a case of religious mania only,
and there was no suspicion of ganja in the case.
The symptoms were not consistent with ganja
insanity. I do not think so.
I remember the case of Bapu Ram very distinctly.
It had a very tragic ending. The man was
discharged cured from this asylum, and cut off his
wife's head a fortnight after. He was sent back.
He was suffering from phthisis at the time, and
whether he is alive or not I cannot say. I do
not think ganja had anything whatever to do
with his case. He had been a head constable
in Sibsagar, and had been discharged for insanity
many years ago. I formed no opinion as to the
cause. He had a remarkably small brain develop-
ment, and a curiously smiling expression con-
stantly on the face.
The symptoms I have described as characteris-
ing temporary insanity or intoxication from ganja
would, I believe, be found in a modified form in
permanent ganja insanity. I think that, in the
acute stage, experience is most necessary to
enable a man to diagnose a case from the symp-
toms.
Even then it is not easy, though some
old jail officials hardly ever make a mistake. After
the acute stage has passed, diagnosis from symp-
toms would, I should think, be impossible.
Note by the Commission appended to Dr.
Mullane's evidence.
The records in the two cases referred to in
Answer No. 52 were sent for.
1. Empress versus Ramchandra Puri.
In this case the accused, a religious mendicant
residing near Gauhati, had a quarrel with the de-
ceased in the middle of the night, and caused his
death by a blow with a dao. In his charge to the
Jury, the Judge (Mr. Ward) said: "The prisoner
was at the time, I have no doubt, under the in-
fluence of ganja, but this is a point which you
need not consider in giving your verdict." The
man was convicted and sentenced to transporta-
tion for life. This was in 1885.
2. Empress versus Jadu Murha.
This man, a garden coolie, was charged under
section 325, Indian Penal Code. He had suddenly
attacked people in the Dumduma Bazaar with a
dao and wounded some thirteen persons. The
wounds were slight. There was some evidence as
to his habits. The Native Doctor, who was one
of the wounded, said: "I have known him two
years. He has been two years on the garden* *
He eats opium. He drinks like other coolies.
I never knew him take ganja. I have seen him
buy opium; and people said he took opium* * At
the time of the attack I do not know if he was
drunk. I did not smell any spirits about him.
I did not make out he looked mad; but I was in
fear of my life." This evidence was corroborated
by some other witnesses. The prisoner himself
said, "I had drunk nothing, nor touched opium,
nor any other drug." In his charge to the Jury,
the Judge (Mr. Luttman Johnson) said: "He
says he had not been drinking that day, or eating
opium; and there is no evidence to disprove his
statement* * He admits he went to the bazaar to
cut people." The man was convicted and sen-
tenced to three years' rigorous imprisonment in
March 1891.
20. Evidence of SURGEON-MAJOR J. W. U. MACNAMARA, Civil Surgeon and Super-
intendent, Lunatic Asylum, Tezpur.
1. I have for thirteen years been among people
who make use of hemp products to greater or less
degree.
2. Whether dry or fresh, the name bhang is
applied to the leaves as well as to the growing
plant.
Yes. (1) Bhang. (2) Charas. (3) Ganja (or
mohini bhang among the Assamese).
3. It grows spontaneously in the districts of
Sylhet, Kamrup, and Darrang (the three districts
of Assam of which I have personal knowledge).
I know for certain that it grows profusely in the
Khasia Hills.
4. The names generally understood in Assam
are—bhang, charas, ganja or mohini bhang.
Siddhi would only be understood by the educated
Assamese, while subji and patti are general terms
not used specially in connection with hemp.
5. It certainly grows well in the Shillong hills
up to a height of 6,000 feet. I don't remember
ever having seen it in the Naga Hills, and I heard
it does not grow there. Its favourite spots are
the basti heaps where cow-manure is thrown. The
plant bears rain well, as it is abundant at Cherra-
punji and Kalapani.
6. Where wild hemp is found it is generally
very dense, but I have never seen it in forests or
far removed from villages.
7. None.
12. No such reason.
13. No restriction that I know of.
14. There is no preparation of ganja or charas
carried on in Assam. Wild bhang is used (1)
without preparation (probably by prisoners only);
(2) made into pills with water; (3) mixed with
tobacco and smoked; and (4) macerated in water
(when milk and sugar are added partly to give
taste, and under the belief that the effects are
more potent and pleasurable).
15. Nothing to add to the reply to previous
query.
16. Yes, in their houses. Yes, wherever grown.
No because it is impossible to destroy all the male