NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 187
8. Can you say whether during the two
or two and a half years that he was em-
ployed at Chello's he took to intoxicating
drug. Had you any means of knowing
that?
8. He used very often to come to us, and I
have never seen him using any kind of hemp
drug, nor have I ever seen him intoxicated.
9. Was he married or unmarried when
he became insane?
9. He was unmarried and has not married
as yet.
10. Has there been any insanity in your
father's or your mother's family?
10. No; not that I am aware of.
11. To what cause do you then assign
Metho's insanity?
11. I cannot say.
12. Had he any difficulties?
12. Not that I am aware of.
Statement of Tevo, son of Jetho, aged 54 years, Hindu Lohana, residing at Karachi.
1. Do yo know Metho, son of Detaram.
and where he is now?
1. I know Metho. He is now in the Lun-
atic Asylum at Hyderabad.
2. How many times has he been sent
to the Asylum and when?
2. He was first sent to the Asylum some 31/2
years ago and remained there for 12 or 14
months, got all right and came to Karachi,
where he did well for two or three months,
and then again showed symptoms of insanity.
He was therefore sent back to the Asylum.
3. To what cause do you assign his in-
sanity. Did he indulge in any kind of
hemp drug or any other intoxicating drug?
3. No; he did not. I am married to his
sister this last 12 years, and I know the boy
ever since. I cannot assign any cause for
his insanity.
4. What occupation Metho followed
when he became insane?
4. He was employed as a servant at one
Chello Mulchand's at Ghizri, where he had a
coffee shop; he became insane there and came
to live with us. He was very troublesome,
given to acts of violence, was very abusive,
used to eat much, go about naked and talk
nonsense. He was first placed under the
treatment of a native hakim, then that of a
European doctor, and finding no change he
was sent to the Asylum.
5. Can you tell me what medicine the
native hakim gave Metho and whether
there was any hemp drug in it?
5. I can't say what medicine the native
hakim gave him. It was for drinking, but I
can't say whether it contained any hemp drug
or whether it caused any intoxication.
6. Has there been any insanity in his
father's or mother's family?
6. Not to my knowledge.
7. Was Metho in any difficulties?
7. No.
8. Is he married or unmarried?
8. Unmarried.
Statement of Chello, son of Mulchand, aged 43 years, Hindu Lohana, shopkeeper, Ghirzi
Sanitarium, Karachi.
1. Do you know Metho, son of Detaram,
and how have you become acquainted with
him?
I. I know Metho Detaram. He was my ser-
vant. I used to pay him Rs. 3 a month and
food.
188
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
2. How long did he serve with you, and
why did he leave your service?
2. He was with me for about two and a
half or three years and left my service as
subsequently his mind was little unhinged.
He left my service of his own accord.
3. When did he leave your service?
3. About three years ago.
4. Can you tell me whether Metho was
in the habit of taking hemp or other intoxi-
cating drug during the time he was in
your service?
4. No; 1 have never seen him take hemp
drug of any kind, nor any other intoxicating
drug. Very seldom he used to take a little
liquor and only when I offered him.
5. Can you tell me whether he took bhang
even in the hot weather?
5. No; I have never seen him.
6. Was he in any financial or other
6. No; not to the best of my knowledge.
difficulties?
7. Can you assign any cause for his
insanity?
7. No; I cannot.
G. BAINBRIDGE, M.D.,
Civil Surgeon, Karachi.
Illegible,
Magistrate, F. C.,
Karachi.
Metho has always denied the use of bhang, but knew how it was prepared and smok-
ed. I tried an experiment one afternoon and got bhang, ganja and charas; and Sarandas
(who is now discharged cured) acted as host. All the Mawalees (Sobo, Heeramona, Luxi-
mon, Gulazim, Metho and others) were attracted; and Metho, in his quiet sensible way
was the most eager to join and help in their preparation and to assist in their consump-
tion. He is now almost well, and he confesses to having used 1 pice bhang, 2 pice ganja
and 2 pice charas every day, and he says moreover that his brothers and employer, Chello,
knew all about it.
J. KEITH,
Superintendent, Hyderabad Asylum.
CASE OF DHOLU, SON OF JETHANAND.
No. 7.
Statement of Jethanand, son of Lahorimal, aged 50 years. Hindu Lohana, trader,
resident of Manjhond in the Karachi district.
1. Do you know Dholu, and what is he
to you?
1. Yes, I know him; he is my son.
2. Did he become insane; and, if so,
when and what were the symptoms; what
was his age when he first showed
symptoms of insanity?
2. My son Dholu showed symptoms of
insanity 16 months ago; he was then 16 years
old. At first he became abusive, speaking
incoherently and nonsense; used to quarrel
with members of the family and used to eat
much. For a few days we confined him in
a room; there he one day tore his clothes
and became naked; he also became dirty in
his habits. After three weeks of this state I
took him to the Civil Surgeon of Hyderabad
for treatment, and he advised me to send him
to the lunatic Asylum there. I did so; he
was kept in the Asylum for three months and
was then released perfectly cured. He is
now nearly 18 years of age.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 189
3. Was this his first time in the Asylum,
or has he been sent before ?
3. This was his first time.
4. Can you say whether your son Dholu
indulged in any intoxicating drug; if so,
of what kind ?
4. To the best of my knowledge, my son did
not indulge in or make use of any kind of
intoxicating drag before or after his insanity.
During the summer when the weather was
very hot he used, on very rare occasions, to
drink bhang, but in a very moderate form and
in a very small quantity.
5. To what cause do you then assign his
insanity ?
5. Before becoming insane Dholu was
suffering from piles and passed good deal of
blood; he was consequently placed under the
treatment of a native hakim (quack), who al-
most cured him of his piles. A month after
that he showed symptoms of insanity.
6. Can you tell me what was the medi-
cine given by the native hakim; was it for
external or internal use ? If used inter-
nally, can you say whether it contained
any intoxicating or narcotic ingredients ?
6. To the best of my recollection the medi-
cine given was for external use; he may prob-
ably have given something to drink, but I
am not positive of that.
7. Has there been any kind of insanity
in your or your wife's family ?
7. No. None.
8. Did your son again show symptoms
of insanity after he was brought from the
Asylum, and did he ever afterwards be-
come troublesome ?
8. No. Nor did he become troublesome;
on the contrary for two or three months
after his release from the Asylum he did not
go out of the house through shame.
9. Had he any financial or other diffi-
culties ?
9. None whatever.
10. Is he married; if so, before or after
the insanity?
10. He is married and was married before
the insanity.
11. What was he doing before he be-
came insane ?
11. He was employed in the shop of his
maternal uncle at Sehwan.
12. Did you tell the Superintendent of
the Asylum at Gidu Bundar that your son
indulged in bhang?
12. No. I don't recollect having said so.
If I have told him, I must have said that he
occasionally took bhang in the hot weather.
EVIDENCE OF DHOLU, SON OF JETHANAND.
No. 7, Lunatic Dholu, son of Jethanand.
1. Were you admitted into the Asylum
at Gidu Bundar ?
1. Yes, I was.
2. Did you ever indulge in bhang or any
intoxicating drug ?
2. No, I did not indulge in any intoxicat-
ing drugs; occasionally in the summer when
it was very hot I used to take a little bhang
IN a liquid state and in a very mild form.
I did not take any other drug but that
occasionally I used to take a little liquor, but
that was on very rare occasions.
3. What is your age now and what was
your age when you became insane ?
3. I am now 18 years old. I was little
over 16 years when I became insane.
48
190
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
4. Can you assign any reason for your
4. I was suffering from piles and I lost
insanity?
good deal of blood for three or four months
and was in very great pain. I was under the
treatment of a native hakim (quack) who
cured me. He gave me both medicines to
drink as well as to apply externally. I am
not entirely cured of the disease, but I don't
lose any blood now. I took the internal
medicine for one or two days. I think he
gave me some opening medicines. I can't
say whether there was any intoxicating drug
in them, but I did not get any intoxication.
Hiranand, son of Gyanchand, aged 35 years, Hindu, Lobana, Merchant, resident of
Manjhand, and now of Karachi States.
1. Do you know Dholu, son of Jetha-
1. Yes, I know Dholu; his father Jethanand
nand?
is a partner of ours.
2. Do you know them intimately?
2. Yes, I know the whole family intimately.
They are all residents of our village Man-
jhand.
3. Do you know that Dholu had be-
3. Yes, I know that.
come insane and was sent to the Lunatic
Asylum at Hyderabad?
4. Do you know whether Dholu in-
4. To the best of my knowledge I have
dulged in any kind of intoxicating drug?
never seen him indulge in any kind of drugs,
such as bhang, charas or ganja. He used
occasionally to take bhang in the hot weather
in a very mild form. On rare occasions he
used to take a little liquor. I have never
seen him intoxicated.
5. Can you then assign any reason for
5. No, I cannot.
his insanity?
6. Can you tell me whether Dholu's
6. To the best of my knowledge I have
father or his relatives are in the habit of never seen any member of his family indulg-
indulging in bhang or any other intoxicat- ing in intoxicating drugs. I know his father
ing drug?
used to drink a little bhang now and then
during the hot weather.
7. Can you tell me whether any mem-
7. No, none.
ber of Dholu's family or any relatives of
his mother were or are affected with in-
sanity?
G. BAINBRIDGE, M.D.,
Civil Surgeon, Karachi.
Illegible,
Magistrate, F.C.,
Karachi.
Dholu, when he was in the Asylum, confessed all along to the use of hemp drugs.
J. KEITH,
Superintendent, Hyderabad Asylum.
192 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
then and talked nonsense and spoke incoherently. I am not acquainted with his family,
but my village is at a distance of five miles from that of his. He is now again employed
in the Municipal Garden. I take particular care of him. He has not smoked charas and
ganja since his discharge from the Asylum. The result is that he is all right and has had
no fits of insanity. So far as I know this was the first time that he became insane.
J. KEITH,
Civil Surgeon, Hyderabad.
THATTUMAL,
The 22nd November 1893.
Magistrate, Second Class.
NOTE.
Matadin has no relations here. He belongs to North-Western Provinces. Maju
knows him for about five years, and states that Matadin was in the habit of smoking
charas and ganja, and his insanity is ascribed to the use of narcotics. It cannot be ascer-
tained whether it is hereditary or not; but the statement of Matadin shows that it is
not.
J. KEITH,
Civil Surgeon, Hyderabad.
THATTUMAL,
The 22nd November 1893.
Magistrate, Second Class.
CASE NO. 9 OF SHIKRO.
I state that my name is Mahomed, my father's name Gahno, my age about 30 years,
my religion Mahomedan, my caste Chano, my calling Labourer, my residence Gote Lall-
eno Nunari, Taluka Hyderabad.
Shikro, fakir, was my only brother. He was in the Lunatic Asylum for about two
months, and died at our village about ten months ago. Before he became insane, he used
to drink bhang daily, once in the evening, worth one pice. This habit he contracted
since infancy. He did not smoke charas or ganja. My father was also a fakir, and
used to drink bhang every morning and evening. That was also about one pice worth, and
sometimes a little more. My father died about 29 years ago. Shikro was my elder brother
by two or three years. No one was and is insane in our family and was and is addicted to
using narcotics excepting my father and brother. My uncle is alive, and does not use
narcotics. My brother became mad once before he was sent to the Asylum. The duration
was about two years. When he became mad the second time, he was caught by the Police
and sent to the Asylum for treatment. He was discharged, and died at home after
seventeen or eighteen days. I live at a distance of six miles from Hyderabad town.
He was not epileptic, but was considered dangerous to others.
J. KEITH,
Civil Surgeon, Hyderabad.
THATTUMAL,
The 22nd November 1893.
Magistrate, Second Class.
CASE NO. 10, BAXALI.
I state that my name is Baxali, my father's name Imambux, my age about 25 years,
my religion Mahomedan, my caste Babar, my calling Blacksmith, my residence Hyder-
abad town.
194
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
of other persons. There was no insane person in his family, and none smoked charas or
ganja. He became mad because he freely indulged in charas-smoking. When he became
insane, he was confined in his house, as he was considered dangerous to society. His
insanity lasted for about ten months. He was not epileptic, but talked nonsense. The
insanity is not hereditary. This is the first time that he has become insane. His male
family members used to drink a small quantity of bhang daily.
J. KEITH,
Civil Surgeon, Hyderabad.
THATTUMAL,
Magistrate, Second Class.
The 22nd November 1893.
CASE NO. 11 OF SEVO.
I state that my name is Ailmal, my father's name Tanumal, my age about 30 years,
my religion Hindu, my caste Lohano, my calling Curd-seller, my residence Hyderabad town.
Sevo, who was in the Lunatic Asylum for about one month and a half, was my only
brother. He died fifteen days after his discharge from the Asylum. This occurred about
nine months ago. My parents are dead. I have no other relations. So far as I know there
was no other insane person in our family. My brother was addicted to drinking bhang
and smoking charas and ganja and also eating and smoking opium since his infancy.
He was my elder brother, and was 35 years of age when he died. He drank bhang
morning and evening, about one pice worth. He was fond of smoking charas twice a
day, worth one pice at a time. Ganja he sometimes smoked. That was also one pice
worth. When he ate opium he did not smoke opium (chandul), but when he smoked he
did not eat opium. That was also one pice worth. I have been seeing him use these nar-
cotics since I have come to maturity. He was a mason, and used to earn about one
rupee a day. He became insane soon after the death of my mother. It appears that he
took her death to heart, and coupled with the fact of his affected brains caused by constant
use of the above drugs he lost his head. He was not dangerous to society, but people were
afraid of him. He talked nonsense and spoke incoherently. My father was not in the
habit of drinking bhang or smoking charas or ganja. My uncle is also dead. He also did
not indulge in narcotics. In fact so far as I know none of our family members was in the
habit of drinking bhang or smoking charas or ganja.
J. KEITH,
Civil Surgeon, Hyderabad.
THATTUMAL,
Magistrate, Second Class.
The 22nd November 1893.
NOTE.
The enquiry made on the spot from several persons in the neighbourhood shows that
Sevo was addicted to the use of charas, ganja, bhang, and opium from his infancy. He
was always seen with a chelum in his hand (pipe), in which ganja, etc.; is smoked. This
shows to what extent he was wedded to the habit of using narcotic drugs. There has been
no insane person in his family. His head was doubtless affected by constant use of nar-
cotics. He was not epileptic, but was dangerous to others. He got insane for the first
time. His family members did hot indulge in narcotics.
J. KEITH,
Civil Surgeon, Hyderabad.
THATTUMAL,
The 22nd November
1893.
Magistrate, Second Class.
196
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
LUNATIC ASYLUM, RANGOON.
(SUPERINTENDENT, DR. BAKER.)
Hemp Drug cases admitted in 1892.
Name, race, occupation,
district, age and register
number of lunatic.
Alleged
cause of
insanity
(Statement
VII).
Type of In-
sanity (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. Zinulabdin; Mussul-
man; Tailor; Rangoon;
20, No. 262.
Ganja-
smoking.
Toxic.
Fair
The medical certificate merely
refers to the "History" which
shows—
Previous
attacks.
Not known.
Hereditary history.
Not known.
Causation
Predisposing Ganja.
smoking.
Exciting.
Ganja-
smoking.
Duration of disease.—One month.
"Is not conscious of his condition
power of attention. Most rest-
less. Talks to himself. Dirty in
his habits." Not
suicidal or
dangerous.
Nervous system. Normal.
Reflex action.
Ditto.
Special senses.
Ditto.
Pupils.
Ditto.
Admitted 3rd February 1892.
No
improvement until 6th June, when
he "answers questions to the
point."
On 26th June "very
much improved." On 15th July
"Sane." Discharged cured on
31st August 1892.
2. Jung Bahadur; Hin-
du; Jail peon;
Rangoon; 25, No.
267.
Ganja-
smoking.
Toxic
Fair
The medical certificate shows the
man to be dangerous, suicidal
and destructive, queer for three
weeks, talking to himself and be-
having strangely;
finally
he
became excited and violent. He
is sleepless. The history shows—
Previous
attacks.
Not known.
Hereditary history.
Causation
Not known.
Predisposing.
?
Exciting. Ganja.
Nervous system.
Normal.
Reflex action.
Ditto.
Special senses.
Ditto.
Pupils.
Natural.
Admitted 26th February 1892. He
began to show symptoms of im-
provement from the first and was
discharged cured on 13th May
1892.
3. Narada;
Hindu
Bhisty;
Khaira
28, No. 330.
Bhang
Toxic
Fair
The Medical Officer of Shwebo
says, "About three
months
ago he was brought to me in a
semi-comatose state apparently
from bhang. He recovered, but
his mind has been deranged ever
since. He was quite demented.
Admitted 19th September 1892.
No improvement until 3rd De-
cember, when the entry is "Im-
proving." On 19th December he
is "Sane," and on 31st March
1893, he is discharged cured.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 197
Hemp Drag cases admitted in 1892.
Name, race, occupation,
district age and register
number of lunatic.
Alleged
cause of
insanity
(statement
VII).
Type of in-
Sanity (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.
Narada—contd.
Bhang
Toxic
Fair
Saw visions of animals and devils
crawling about him and had to
be kept in close custody as he at-
tempted to throw himself off the
roof of the hospital.
He is now
suffering from dementia and is
feeble-minded and childish in his
manners and
speech." The
history shows—
Previous
attacks.
None,
so far
known.
Causation
Hereditary history.
Had a brother
insane.
Predisposing. None.
Exciting. Bhang.
First attack.
Not
subject to
epilepsy.
Duration.
Three months.
Nervous system. Normal.
Reflex action.
Ditto.
Special senses.
Ditto.
Pupils.
Ditto.
Notes.
I. The form devised apparently by Dr. Griffith when Superintendent deserves notice for certain detailed information it contains in the "history."
2. The total number of admissions from all causes in 1892 was—
Criminal
Males
18
Criminal
Female
1
Non-criminal
Males
66
Non-criminal
Females
17
TOTAL
102
Of these, the above three cases were the only cases ascribed in Statement VII to hemp drugs.
3. Only two ganja cases are shown under toxic insanity in Statement VI. The bhang case is not so shown.
8 th February 1894.
Report of ihe Superintendent,
Rangoon Lunatic Asylum, on the Hemp Drug cases of 1892.
With reference to your letter No. 106-Camp, dated the 6th March 1894, I have the honour to forward
correspondence,* and to state that as the three men in question cannot be
found, I am precluded from making any further inquiries into the
circumstances dealt with in your letter under reply.
G. C. Press, Simla.-No. 70 H. D. C—2-11-94.—1,510.
50
THE PROTECTION OF INDIA FROM YELLOW FEVER,
474DE
FROM
----
Jamaica viá Suez ...
Jamaica viá Cape Town
Jamaica -viá Panamá
Barbadoes viá Suez
...
Barbadoes viá Cape Town
Barbadoes viá Panamá
Colon viá Suez
Colon vid Cape Town
Colon vid Panamá ...
Para vid Suez
Para vid Cape Town
Para via Panama ...
Bahía vid Suez
Bahía vid Panamá ...
Babia vid Cape Town
Salima Cruz via Mexican Rail-
way and Suez.
Salima Cruz via Pacific
Callao vid Str. of Magellan ...
Callao vid Pacific ...
Valparaiso vid Str. of Magellan
Valparaiso vid Pacific
To
Calcutta.
10,480
12,9-14
9,841
10,764
13.669
u, 138
...
12,444
9,504
14,767
...
11,084
11,983
13,072
13,871
Colombo
9,280
10,618
12,941
8,641
9,652
13,616
9,725
10,768
12,331
8,704
14,758
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bombay
8,824
...
14,014
8,199
9,888
14,689
9,283
...
13,494
8,2(32
8,934
14,831
...
...
...
1 1,104
...
0,875
Singapore
1O,826
...
l',364
10,187
10,915
12,036
11,271
...
10,814
IO,25O
9,961
13,181
...
...
...
...
...
Hong kong
12,266
...
9,924
11,627
12,182
10,599
12,711
9,374
1 1,690
11,204
11,741
...
13,009
...
9,272
12,370
12,925
9,947
13,454
...
8,722
'2,433
11,947
1 1 ,089
...
Yokohama
13,728
...
8,302
13,089
»3,644
8,977
14,173
»*.
7,752
I3.JS2
12,690
10,119
...
...
Sydney
...
...
...
...
•«»
...
...
...
...
...
Considering first only the columns of the table relating to Indian ports, the '
following conclusions may be drawn:—
(1) The opening of the Panama Canal is not likely to be followed by
direct traffic from Europe through the endemic area to India, for
the distance between London and India is on an average 10, 500
miles longer by the new route than by way of the SÍez Canal.
1 his is important because most of India's seaborne trade is with
Europe.
(2) It is net likely to be followed by direct traffic from the United States
through_the endemic area to India, for New York is on an average
6,800 miles, and New Orleans 3,200 miles, nearer to India by way
of Suez than by way of Panama.
(3) It is not likely to be followed by direct traffic from the endemic area
ma Panama to India, for much the shortest routes to that country
from the West Indies, Mexico, the Central American Republics,
the Panama canal zone, Columbia, Venezuela and Guiana will still
be by way of Suez, and from Brazil the shortest route is- by way of
the Cape of Good Hope. Major Tucker, in the paper already
mentioned, suggests that Jamaica may be a place from which there
will be direct traffic to India, but if this were to happen the route
would surely be by way either of the Suez Canal or the Cape of
Good Hope; the distance from Jamaica to Bombay by the Suez
route is about 5,100 miles shorter than by way of the Panama
Canal. In this connexion it is noteworthy that the Republic of
1 anama already imports Burmese rice, which goes by way of Liver-
pool or Hamburg to Colon.