52. REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [APP.
NOTE ON CASES OF INSANITY ATTRIBUTED TO THE USE OF HEMP DRUGS ADMITTED INTO
THE DACCA LUNATIC ASYLUM DURING 1892.
(Submitted by Surgeon-Major Cobb to the Commission when orally examined.)
1. Charan Dass.—There is no reason to suppose that ganja was the cause of this
man's insanity, except the entry in his Descriptive Roll, in which it is stated that he was
addicted to ganja, and a remark by Dr. Wise in 1872 that "he is a stupid fellow, who
brightens up when ganja is mentioned."
The history of his case is not that of a ganja maniac, and the post-mortem appearances
suggest chronic degenerative changes in the central nervous system.
2. Dayal Dass Bairagi.—I have no doubt that this was a case of temporary insanity
induced by smoking ganja. He is example No. 1. in the evidence which I have already
given. The history of the gradual supervention of his insanity under the increasing doses
of ganja and his rapid recovery when confined are instructive. The fact that his father
was a ganja smoker is worthy of notice. These facts I discovered in careful personal exa-
mination of the man.
3. Baishmar Chandra Saha.—There is no evidence of his being a ganja smoker
beyond the entry in his Descriptive Roll that he was addicted to ganja and spirits. The
case was evidently one of simple mania.
4. Uzir Ali Sha.—The evidence of ganja-smoking in this case is very untrustworthy.
It is vaguely stated in his Descriptive Roll that he was formerly addicted to ganja. The
case was probably one of simple mania.
5. Swarup Kaibarta.—There is not the slightest reason for supposing ganja-smoking
to have been the cause of this man's insanity other than the entry in his Descriptive Roll.
On the contrary, the case presents all the characteristics of simple melancholia.
6. Sheikh Waris.—This man was found to be quite sane on admission to the Asylum.
There is not a particle of evidence to support the view that ganja caused his insanity, if
he ever was insane.
7. Durga Churn Chunga.—This is undoubtedly a case of recurrent mania. Beyond
a vague reference of ganja-smoking in his Descriptive Roll, there is no reason to attribute
his insanity to a toxic cause.
8. Madhavram Dev.—This patient's insanity is definitely attributed to the use of
ganja in his Descriptive Roll, but I think it is entirely doubtful if the drug had anything to
do with it.
9. Gagan Chunder Chathati.—This is a doubtful toxic case. It is stated in the
Descriptive Roll that he was addicted to ganja and spirits.
10. Garua.—There is no evidence of ganja being the cause of insanity except the
fact stated in the Descriptive Roll that he was addicted to ganja.
11. Narayan Das.—This man is an up-country fakir, and was known to be an exces-
sive ganja smoker, and he does not deny the fact. The whole history of his case leads me
to the conclusion that ganja was the exciting cause of his insanity.
12. Manohar Mahanta.—The entry in the Descriptive Roll and the medical certifi-
cate that the "lunatic is addicted to ganja" are the only reasons for supposing this to be
a case of toxic insanity. In view of the fact as shown by the papers that this man's
relatives were not known and nothing else was known of his case, the above entries are of
less weight than they would otherwise have been.
13. Narayan Nawa.—This appears to be a case of insanity induced by the use of
ganja. I base my opinion on the opinion of the Civil Surgeon of Cachar and on my own
observation of the case.
14. Padai Ram.—This case also appears to be one of toxic insanity. I cannot at
present give reasons for this view.