FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 147
though he was the strongest man in the world and had no equal to him in strength on the
face of the earth; he was the winner in two to three very famous wrestling matches arranged
by the late Raja of Pittapur, whose samstanum wrestler he was for some years.
It is a pity that Dr. Patch did not say where from he got his information about his being
a ganja smoker and bhang eater, but, from what I have been able to gather in regard to
this man, it seems to me that Dr. Patch was misinformed and misled.]
8. Ramaswami.—No
information obtainable.
9. Nabi Saheb.—No additional information obtained.
10. Hari Mohanti.—No
additional information obtained.
11. Kunji
Kalappen.—The
Tahsildar Magistrate of Charikal reports that Kunji
Kalappen indulged largely in strong liquors, and in the early part of 1892 took ganja
freely.
[Note.—The Tahsildar's report is as follows: "Kunji Kalappen is said to have been
indulging too much in strong liquors, and he was also very licentious. In the early part of
1892 a certain Embrandiri Brahman went to his house and initiated him in the secret of
some mantroms. He also advised him to use ganja, which would, he said, facilitate con-
centration of thought in practising the mantrom. Kunji Kalappen took up his advice and
indulged freely in the use of ganja, which, together with the other two vices alluded to,
rendered him insane **. The Civil Surgeon of Cannanore informs me that the above vices
are sufficient to cause insanity."]
12. Mahadil Saheb.—The
Assistant Surgeon, Bellary, states that he (Mahadil
Saheb) had a craving for ganja. The younger brother also apparently states that the
patient used ganja, although the statement is not clearly given as regards him, but more
clearly as regards their father, who was also addicted to ganja. The Magistrate is, how-
ever, of opinion that the man was not addicted to ganja but liquor.
* This word "also" is erased by a
line run through it; but it has appar-
ently led to the Superintendent's re-
mark.
[Note.—The statement of the younger brother, referred to by the Superintendent of
the Asylum, is thus recorded: "Their father was also*
addicted to ganja-smoking for several years**. Mahadil
Saheb never indulged in ganja smoking any time." The
Magistrate's report contains an accurate summary of the
evidence. It is as follows:—
In reply to your proceedings No. 224, dated 16th February 1894, I beg to report as
follows, after consultation with the District Surgeon, regarding the past personal and
family history of the lunatic Mahadil Saheb of Canel Bazar.
2. On the 25th of February 1894 three of the relatives of the lunatic, viz., I,
Jarrudin,
brother of Mahadil Saheb; 2, Sherifma, mother; 3, Katuma, his wife, were examined.
3. It would appear from their statements that the lunatic's father was addicted to the
use of ganja, and that he lived till he was 90 years old. The lunatic's mother is now about
80 years old, and says that neither her parents nor the parents of her husband were insane
at any time during their lives.
Mahadil's father, though used to ganja-smoking, was never insane.
It would appear that the lunatic Mahadil Saheb had three sisters and three brothers.
Of the sisters, one, that died eight years ago, aged about 45, had suffered from symptoms of
either hysteria or insanity, which came on after her delivery. This lasted about three months,
after which she was all right. Neither this woman nor his other sisters and brothers were
ganja smokers; none of them were confirmed lunatics.
4. It would appear from the copies of the certificates which accompanied him to
the Lunatic Asylum that the probable cause of his lunacy was stated to be the use of bhang.
But from the evidence collected it would appear that Mahadil Saheb was not addicted to