128
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
From the evidence of Surgeon-Major
Quayle (C.P. witness No. 37).
"Udai Ram, age 47, Tahsil Jamadar, Burhanpur, in which place he has lived for 20
years; caste, Chhipa.
History.—He was brought to Khandwa in February 1891 suffering from simple mania.
His first symptoms were an increased excitability and irritability, he becoming very
angry about trivial matters, abusing people without reason in the bazaars and in-
terfering with their property, neglect of his duties. He commenced riding about
the country on a pony, which he eventually lost. He was foolishly extravagant,
purchasing useless articles at high prices. At Khandwa he was excitable and in-
dignant at being kept under restraint and not allowed to go home. He was con-
stantly in motion, walking round the station two or three times a day with his atten-
dant, and at other times performing rather ludicrous gymnastic exercises. He was
loquacious, talking to every one he met, sometimes incoherently, but at other times
sensibly enough. One of his delusions was that he had been appointed "diwan" to
a certain raja, and that he had boundless wealth at his disposal.
The man was transferred to the Jabalpur Lunatic Asylum at the end of March 1892.
The Civil Surgeon writes that he died there on the 7th September 1893 of gene-
ral paralysis of the brain, but that no post-mortem examination was made.
In this case there is no hereditary 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 "majun"
eating, and of the latter substance about half a seer was found in his house. This
majum he usually obtained from Ujjain.
The two causes, singly or combined, that are chiefly said to produce general paralysis
of the brain among Europeans are sexual excesses and intemperance, especially if
impure and bad alcoholic drinks are used; and there is no reason to suppose that
Indian hemp consumed in excess might not play the part of alcohol in the produc-
tion of the disease among the natives of India.
Case No. 5.—Gulbia, age 45, caste
Hindu, Labourer, Nimar district,
Central Provinces.
The Civil Surgeon of Khandwa made inquiries into this case. Gulbia's brother-in-
law states that Gulbia, who worked with him as kotwar in
the village, was accustomed to drink liquor whenever he
could obtain it, but that previous to his becoming insane
he did not smoke ganja or use Indian hemp in any form. He further states that even now
he often remains days without smoking ganja. He is still insane. It seems unlikely that
he should have contracted the habit of ganja-smoking after leaving the Asylum, had he not
been accustomed to the use of ganja before his admission.
The man being now insane and using ganja,* after being discharged from the Asylum
would go to show that the use of ganja was the cause of his insanity in the first instance,
and the return of insanity on his resuming ganja-smoking.
* [NOTE.—Superintendent ignores liquor. The brother-in-law said: "Even now he often remains days with-
out smoking ganja. His usual dose is two chillums per diem. Mohwa liquor he also drinks whenever obtainable."]
Case No. 6.—Hari, age 32, caste
Bania, residence Saugor District,
occupation Shopkeeper.
In this case no local enquiry could be made as stated by
the Deputy Commisssioner of Saugor, as the man is a resi-.
dent of Tikamghur State, where he now resides.
The Civil Surgeon of Saugor reports that there was no history of ganja-smoking whilst
he was under observation in the Jail. He remembers the case well. He adds that "evi-
dence as to ganja-smoking, &c., is always sought for by me" when lunacy cases are
brought for observation to the Jail.
There is in this case no history whatever of the use of ganja or hemp drugs except
the statement of the man himself. The man was discharged cured from the lunatic Asy-
lum on the 29th November 1893.