FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 71
Report by Surgeon-Major Sweeney, Superintendent, Benares Asylum on the Hemp
Drug cases of 1892.
I have the honour now to enclose the result of the local enquiries held by the Magis-
trates and Civil Surgeons into the cases of the six lunatics selected from the asylum for
enquiry, and whose insanity was attributed to the use of Indian hemp in one or other of
its forms.
No. 3, Bhagwoti Pershad.
Of the six no trace could be found of Nos. 1 and 2, by name Bhawanidin and Ram Das,
and consequently no enquiries could be made regarding them; but the remaining four cases
have been duly enquired into and the results are forwarded herewith. As regards No. 3,
by name Bhasrwoti Pershad. In this case there is no reason to doubt that ganja and bhang
are responsible for the insanity. The evidence of the
uncle, Madho Pershad, and of Josodanund, showed that
Bhagwoti Pershad was addicted to the excessive use of ganja and bhang, and in the absence
of all trace of heredity or of any other probable exciting cause, it is reasonable to assume
that his malady was caused as stated.
No. 4, Ramlal.
No. 4, by name Ramlal.—The evidence in this case shows that Ramlal, although
not using either ganja or charas, was in the habit of con-
suming a considerable amount of bhang. I am informed
that half a tola of bhang is, except in the case of habitual excessive consumers, a large
quantity and capable of producing decided intoxication. In this case also no heredity can
be shown, and no probable exciting cause of insanity, excepting the regular drinking of
bhang.
No. 5, Hinganlal.
No. 5, Hinganlal.—This case bears witness unmistakeably to the effects of bhang.
Commencing at the age of 10 years to take one tola of bhang twice daily, which is a very
considerable amount, its consumption culminated on two
occasions in insanity, which got cured on the stoppage of
the drug and recurred on its resumption. Here also no heredity or predisposing cause
can be found, and the natural conclusion comes to us that bhang was the exciting cause.
No. 6, Ram Smair.
No. 6, Ram Smair.—In this case the chain of connection is not as strong as in the
others, though the evidence shows that he used to drink
bhang occasionally, and the witness No. 3 named Birchu
shows that Ram Smair was very intoxicated the day before he disappeared, and that the
intoxication was such as would have been caused by bhang. In this case one should re-
member the great reluctance of any native, especially when any formal enquiry is on foot,
to admit consuming anything to excess owing to fear of possible ulterior punishment. It
is quite possible that in the case of a student, as this man was, even a single overdose
following on even moderate use of the drug, might have produced mental disturbance. I
have on innumerable occasions had men sent for observation and report who were in a
state of violent maniacal excitement, which lasted from 8 to 12 days from what they
described to be a single indulgence in the use of the drug.
In returning the series of questions circulated to witnesses, I have the honour to point
out that I have only just taken over charge of the Asylum, and am not thoroughly conver-
sant with the subject. I therefore only answer such questions as have come within my
knowledge as Civil Surgeon in the North-West Provinces.
From—The Joint Magistrate, Benares,
To—The District Magistrate, Benares.
I have the honour to forward the result of my inquiry in accordance with your orders
of 24th November last. The report has been delayed as, being in charge of the city, I was
unable to leave head-quarters. Of the three persons whose insanity is said to have been
caused by the use of drugs, only one can be found.
Ramdas Thakur is a wandering mendicant with no family and fixed abode. I have
not been able to find any trace either of him or of any of his relatives. Bhawanidin is also