154
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
COLABA LUNATIC ASYLUM (BOMBAY).
(SUPERINTENDENT, DR. BOYD.)
Hemp Drug cases admitted during 1892.
Name, race, occupation,
district, age and register
number of lunatic.
Alleged
cause of
insanity
(Statement
VII).
Type of in-
anity (State-
ment VI).
State of
health on
admission.
Facts ascertained from the papers.
Asylum history and facts ascertained from
Asylum registers and from inquiry from
Superintendent.
1. Nama; Hindu; La-
babourer; Bombay;
25; 1-b—96.
Ganja
smoking.
Toxic in-
sanity.
Very
weak.
The only paper in this case is a
medical certificate from a Native
Medical Officer at the Jamsetji
Jeejeebhoy Hospital, dated 4th
January 1892, that "the patient
has a stupid look, does not an-
swer questions rationally, always
raves day and night, is dirty in
his habits, and is labouring under
a delusion that some persons per-
secute him." It is stated also
that "he tears bed clothes and
breaks dishes and plates, and
often tries to run away from the
ward," &c.
Admitted, 4th January 1892.
Discharged cured, 29th September
1892.
On 10th March 1892 the man
"seems to be much improved.
Is clean in habits and answers
questions very rationally."
On 26th July 1892 "he is still
unfit for discharge. This morn-
ing he violently assaulted one of
the insanes in presence of the
Superintendent."
On 26th September he "seems
to be quiet for the past two months
and shows no signs of insanity."
Discharged.
There was rapid improvement in
this case. The outbreak in July
may have only been a fit of pas-
sion. This looks like a ganja case.
2. Yesu Ragho; Mara-
tha; Police Peon;
Thana; 30, I. E. 90.
Ganja
smoking.
Melan-
cholia.
Fair
The Civil Surgeon of Thana shows
the cause of insanity as "un-
known," but mentions that the
man smokes ganja, and this is
ultimately entered as the cause.
The medical certificate, dated
26th January 1892, shows that he
"does not answer any questions
put to him and no amount of
persuasion or threat
induces
him to speak, has a vacant look
about him. Sleeps and eats in-
differently. Is distinctly melan-
cholic.". He was found travel-
ling in third class without a ticket
and unable to account for his
action.
Admitted, 30th January 1892.
On 21st December 1892 (after
nearly a year) there is "no im-
provement. He is melancholic.
Refuses to speak. Will not eat.
He is suffering from partial para-
plegia. He is solitary in habits
and has to be fed." On 28th June
1893 "no better." He has now
got paraplegia.
He is not improved. He is still
paralytic and refuses to speak.
The Superintendent doubts very
much this being a ganja case.
He thinks that the history of the
case is against it. Experience
shows that ganja cases rapidly
improve unless there is hereditary
tendency, and ganja is only excit-
ing cause.
3. Moti Ram; Kunbi;
Dooly-bearer;
Rai
Bareilly; 26.
Ganja
smoking.
Mania
The Form C shows that this man
had been ill for two months and
was "homicidal occasionally."
The attack was insidious and
preceded by moroseness and
tendency to wander. The medi-
cal certificate of 6th November
1891 shows that he "is of stupid
appearance, talks incessantly and
mutters a great deal to himself.
Only violent once since his ad-
mission into
Civil
Hospital
[Aden] when he threw his lota
violently 6 or 7 times. Has been
violent several times during the
time he was kept under observa-
tion at the Native Military Gen-
eral Hospital. The Military Hos-
pital history shows that, on 7th
September 1891 when admitted,
the "patient was talking in-
coherently and shouting out ......
passed very restless night. He
answers
questions
sometimes
coherently and then breaks off
into nonsense. Pupils equal;
normal.
Patient has a vacant
smile on being addressed by me...
9th September 1891, last night
very violent; ran away to cattle
lines....10th September 1891. He
Admitted here on 1st February
1892. On 11th March 1892 "he
is improved and fairly quiet, but
mutters to himself and solitary in
his habits. Sleeps and eats well."
29th November "discharged yes-
terday by order of the Deputy
Commissioner of Rai Bareilly.
The Asylum authorities have
diagnosed the case as "Toxic
Insanity," owing to inquiry after
his admission here. The Super-
intendent thinks that the previ-
ous hospital history points to
ganja, the violent excitment, the
running about, the delusions, &c.
All these would be in acute mania
and this cannot be differentiated
from toxic mania unless there is
narcotic
effect.
What
ganja
generally produces is acute ma-
nia. Toxic insanity is
only
differentiated by its cause. It is
not a separate type.