FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1894. 127
Review of the further enquiries by Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel J. B.
Gaffney, Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum Jubbulpore, dated 22nd
March 1894.
Case No. 1.—Rathi Ram Singh,
Hindu, Cultivator, age 20.
This case has been investigated by Mr. Bose, 1st class Magistrate, who examined
four witnesses at Saronda in the Sehora Tahsil, Jubbulpore.
All that has been ascertained is that Rathi Ram Singh was
born and lived at Saronda till he was about 17 years old. He was never known to have
smoked ganja, but having left his village for three years, nothing was known of him till he
came to Jubbulpore shortly before his admission to the Asylum on the 28th January 1892.
On 19th December 1891 he was passed as candidate for police service as a constable, but
on 14th January 1892 he was found wandering about the cantonment in an insane state.
The only evidence of his having smoked ganja was his own statement to that effect
whilst in the Asylum.
His recovery having taken place within about three weeks of his admission to the
Asylum would show that the disturbing cause was of but temporary duration, and so dis-
pose to the conclusion that his statement that he smoked ganja was probably correct.
[NOTE.—The man has never been found since his escape.]
Case No. 2.—Dalthaman Singh,
age 32, caste Chattri, occupation
Police Constable, residence Busti,
North-Western Provinces.
Report of District Superintendent of Police, Busti, is attached. No light is thrown
on the case. Three of his brothers are sane. It is not
said if they use ganja. Dalthaman Singh denied having
smoked ganja or bhang, and had no recollection* of hav-
ing admitted the habit when he was in the Asylum.
His recovery, like the last case, commenced in about three wekse.
* NOTE.—"He states that he does not remember doing so; and he may have done so while he was insane."
Case No. 3.—Umrao, caste Gond,
age 32, occupation Cultivator, resi-
dence Chhindwara.
In this case the report of an Inspector of Police shows that on enquiry he learned
that Umrao was given to the use of both liquor and ganja,
which he indulged in daily; also that the uncle of Umrao
was insane and had been a ganja-smoker.
The proceedings of the trial of Umrao are attached. The Civil Surgeon, Chhindwara,
gives it as his opinion that "the cause of his reason having become affected was intemper-
ance and the use of alcohol and ganja."*
Heredity may have been the primary cause, and the use of alcohol and drugs only
secondary. The man was admitted to the Asylum in March 1892, and now (March 1894)
is in no way improved. He has not spoken a word since admission.
* NOTE.—The Civil Surgeon said, "I should conclude from the history of the case given me by others that
the cause of his reason having become affected was intemperance and the use of alcohol and ganja. His people
say that the insanity came on after an attack of measles. It does happen sometimes that measles are followed by
insanity. Possibly insanity was coming on gradually and measles accelerated it. It may be hereditary as his
grandfather was insane."
Case No. 4.—Udai Ram, age 50,
caste, Hindu, occupation Jamadar,
residence Nimar district, Central
Provinces.
Attached is a report of the Civil Surgeon of Khandwa. No local enquiry seems to
have been held. The report states that "there is no here-
ditary history of insanity or nervous disease. The most
important point elicited was that the man had been a ganja-
smoker for many years, and latterly to excess. He was also addicted to bhang-drinking
and majum-eating."
There is also history of syphilis. This man died of general paralysis of the insane on
September 7th, 1893.
[NOTE.—A full account of this case is given in the following extract.]