48
Forms of insanity most
frequent.
Dementia and mania are the forms of insanity under which the affection is
generally witnessed in persons admitted to this
asylum, the latter being in the proportion of nearly
3 to 2 of the former. And when we examine in
what ratio the castes are affected by insanity, we find, singularly enough,
that it is, with the trifling exception of 3 native Christians, confined exclu-
sively to the Mahomedans and Hindoos. The former caste admitted for the
past year nearly double of the latter ; while for the one immediately preced-
ing, the proportion was even greater. This cannot be explained by the
Mahomedans being more numerous than the Hindoos, for the late census
has shown that the preponderance is in favour of the Hindoos. The reason
must be looked for in another direction; and it is this, the Mahomedans are
far more addicted to the use of drugs, especially opium and the various pre-
parations of Indian hemp, as also intoxicating liquors and debauchery,
than are the Hindoos.
Intoxicating drugs, a
cause.
As Government in paragraph 29 of their Resolution No. 1087, dated 15th
April last, express a wish that, if possible, the nature
of these drugs should be specified, as helping to decide
how far opium and ganja conduce to insanity, I may
here give the result of my own experience and that of other medical officers
in this Division, whose opinions I formerly had occasion to take regarding
the effects of the use and abuse of opium, preparations of Indian hemp, and
other intoxicating drugs : 1st, in inducing insanity ; and 2ndly, as to their
alleged influence in exciting to violent crime. The natives of Sind are ad-
dicted to the use of Indian hemp in all its forms; but "bhang"
when taken
alone does not, save in exceptional cases, produce mental derangement.
Hundreds of natives consume large quantities of this preparation morning and
evening, and continue the practice for years ; but apparently none of them
become insane in consequence. But "bhang," when mixed with datura to
enhance its narcotic properties and taken habitually, does certainly lead to
mental disorder. Again, mental aberration is a frequent occurrence among
those having recourse to both bhang and opium. With regard to "ganja,"
which is chiefly smoked like tobacco, this preparation does not appear to be
so much indulged in, particularly in the Hydrabad Collectorate, as are the
others, viz., bhang, churrus, and mahajum.
Class most addicted to
their use.
The class of people who chiefly addict themselves to the use of these narco-
tics, to which also may be added opium, are
Mahomedans. Hindoos again, who are not restricted,
as are the latter race, incline rather to alcoholic
liquors when seeking a stimulant. But with the Mahomedans in this pro-
vince, the cheapness, freedom from the danger of fatal poisoning by an over-
dose, their unadulterated state—at least of bhang—and the facility with
which preparations of hemp can be procured in comparison with opium, have
caused them to be very generally employed.
Effects.
Their effects are various; depending also on sex—for women, especially
prostitutes, use bhang and mahajum very freely,—
also on the constitution and habitude of those ad-
dicted to them. In some, intense excitement is produced, which continues
for hours together, the individual while under its influence being very irrita-
ble and quarrelsome, and quite unconscious of what he does. Others become
morose and dejected. In others again, strange hallucinations are witnessed;