FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 171
RATNAGIRI LUNATIC ASYLUM (BOMBAY).
(SUPERINTENDENT, DR. JENNINGS.)
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.
I. Sidram bin Rama;
Hindu; Beggar; Bel-
gaum; 30, No. 142.
Ganja
Toxic
insanity.
Good
Form C shows that this man is
"said to have been addicted to
ganja smoking and drinking."
He suffers from "mania" of
"about ten years' duration." It
was preceded by "Fever of four
months' duration." The cause
is "unknown."
History of con-
cussion, sunstroke or injury to
the head cannot be traced."
No heredity and no epilepsy.
Form A (medical certificate) men-
tions "constant muttering to him-
self, answers questions incoher-
ently, sometimes restless, occas-
sionally violent, throws stones at
passers-by. Is dirty in his per-
son and habits. Wanders about
the streets without any settled
place of abode. His mother states
that he has been insane for about
ten years." Admitted 1st March
1892.
The Hospital Assistant entered
the word "ganja" under "cause"
(with mark of interrogation) be-
cause the use of ganja was admit-
ted. There has been as far as
the case book shows "no improve-
ment" in this case.
The man is sad and melancholic
in appearance with puckered fore-
head and shifty expression.
2. Gobind
Wasadeo
Paik;
Brahman;
Shopkeeper; Karwar
32, No. 146.
Ganja
Toxic
insanity.
Fair
Form C shows that the man was
"addicted to smoking ganja to a
great extent." He had suffered
from "mania" for "two months,"
which was alleged to be "due to
smoking ganja to a great extent."
No hereditary predisposition and
no epilepsy.
Form A shows "noisy, quarrel-
some, tears his clothes, does not
sleep well at nights, filthy in his
habits."
Admitted, 27th March 1892. Dis-
charged cured, 30th October 1893.
This man was "dirty and destruc-
tive and required separate con-
finement, incoherent and discon-
nected in his talk" on 14th July
1892. There seems to have been
no change until 10th February
1893, when he "seems rapidly
improving and speaks coherently
and rationally." On 27th July
1893 he "is free from signs of
insanity and is fit to be dis-
charged. He will be observed
for one or two months further."
3. Dinkar Gopal Saul
Brahman; Cultivator;
Ratnagiri; 22, No.
148.
Ganja
Toxic
insanity.
Good
Form C shows that this man's re-
latives all live in Kapre. He has
been "addicted to the use of to-
bacco these two years and to that
of ganja these six months, since
which time he is insane." The
duration of the attack is put down
as "about six months." It was
"sudden." It is ascribed to the
"use of ganja."
There is no heredity and no epilep-
sy.
Form A records, "Has delusions.
Imagines he has seen persons
who have died long ago. Is not
dirty nor dangerous to himself or
others, but is desirous of obtain.
ing treatment for his mental con-
dition. Said by the Police Patel
of his village to be abusive and
destructive."
Admitted, 4th April 1892.
The first entry in the Case Book 15
on 15th July 1892. "Since his
admission he has been quiet and
well conducted. He is coherent
and rational in his conversation.
Gives no trouble. Occasionally
reserved in his manner
and
habits." January 11th, 1893, "is
improving but occasionally gets
excited. Has frequent seminal
emissions at night. 27th July
1893 answers rationally. Occa-
sionally gets excited. Emissions
much less frequent." 13th De-
cember
1893 "has improved
much. Does not complain of
frequent emissions." This man
has naturally a somewhat imbe-
cile appearance.