( 43 )
As in former reports, the largest proportion is ascribed to indulgence in gunjah
The ratio from this cause in the last five years has been as follows :—
In 1863
...
...
...
...
1864
...
...
...
...
1865
...
...
...
...
1866
...
...
...
...
1867
...
...
...
...
Average ... ... ...
30.5
49.0
46.8
38.9
35.7
40.1
Indulgence in gunjah, however, is always associated 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
gunjah smokers among the lunatics.
Loss of property through family quarrels or through an imaginary failure of justice
are among the chief moral causes of insanity. Nothing is known of the causes of insanity
in a large proportion of the lunatics. Many of these unfortunates are beggars, who travel
about the country without a home or a relation, and from whom it is impossible to obtain
any reliable information.
Statement No. 5 shows the race and sex of the patients, and their native zillahs. Thirty-
four, or nearly one-half, were inhabitants of the Dacca district. Cachar this year sends 12
(10 males, 2 females), all of whom were tea coolies and natives of other districts. One
was admitted from Dacca on his return from Cachar.
Of these 12 persons, 6 (4 men, 2 women) were of the Dhangar caste, 2 were residents
of Cachar, but of Bengallee extraction, 1 was an Ooryah, 1 was a Mulla, 1 a Halwai, and 1 a
Hindoostanee from Behar. Up to 1865 Cachar never sent any lunatics to this asylum.
In that year 1 arrived, in 1866, 1, and in 1867, 13. This increase is owing to the spread
of tea cultivation in that district. From having passed a medical examination, tea coolies
may be considered as being healthy on their arrival in Cachar, and not in any way pre-
disposed to mental diseases. The habits of the Dhangar coolies, their love of gunjah
and ardent spirits, place them, however, in an exceptional position, and it is from among them
that the majority come. The depressing effects of the Cachar climate, the frequent attacks
of fever, the distance from their homes, must all contribute to produce despondency and
unhappiness, emotions which prompt to indulgence in stimulants.
Statement No. 6 shows the trades or occupations of those admitted during 1867. The
largest number was furnished by those 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 Mahomedan servants, more especially 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 com-
panions. One of these miserable creatures was admitted during the year.
Next to servants, the agricultural classes supply the largest number; 19 out of 77,
or 24.6 per cent., were ryots. In former years they always stood at the top of the list,