88
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
The perusal of the papers has suggested to me that possibly the man was not really insane
and that on that account the Superintendent and visitors discharged him a few days after
his admission. The statement of Nathu and the report of the Extra Assistant Commission-
er are enclosed.
Copy of report made by Pundit Hari Kishen, Extra Assistant Commissioner, dated the
14th April 1894, to the Civil Surgeon, Jullunder.
With reference to correspondence in regard to Ralla Singh, Sepoy, I have the honour
to report that after issuing verbal orders to the police as to whereabouts of the man, it was
found from the report of the Police Deputy Inspector at Adampur that Ralla Singh origi-
nally belonged to Mauza Chukhiara in the Jullunder Tahsil, and was now in Meerut in
the Police Department. His father, Nathu, was then sent for from his village and examin-
ed by me in your presence. I beg to submit his statement for your perusal. This state-
ment, or rather Ralla Singh's past family history, does not throw any light on the cause
of his insanity. It will, however, be observed from the statement that Ralla Singh, while
in the 45th Infantry at Jhansi, was subject to insanity and sent to the Agra Lunatic
Asylum. Under these circumstances an enquiry into the personal character of the man
during his employment in the Jhansi 45th Infantry might be of some use, if made through
the medical officer in charge of the Infantry.
Statement of Nathu, son of Charat Singh, caste Mahton, age 50 years, of Mauza Chuk-
hiara, in the Jullunder District.
Ralla Singh, Sepoy, is my son. He is now employed as bugler in the Meerut Police.
He is of strong constitution and healthy; is now of about 22 years of age. I have always
enjoyed a good health. I have never taken any liquor, bhang, charas, poppy-heads or
opium during the whole of my life, nor has my wife (mother of Ralla Singh) ever used these
articles. My father even did not use these articles, nor was he or myself ever subject to
insanity. My son, Ralla Singh, to the best of my knowledge, did not take any bhang,
charas, or any other intoxicating drug or liquor. He was employed as bugler in the 45th
Infantry at Jhansi for four years. He came on 31/2 months' leave about the Bysakhi time
two years ago (this corresponds with April 1892), and worked with me as an agriculturist in
good health and returned to his Infantry after the expiry of his leave. After two months
I heard that he became lunatic, and was sent from Jhansi to the Agra Lunatic Asylum.
After a month or so he was discharged from the Asylum and came to me at my village and
lived with me in good health for two months and then proceeded to Meerut, where he is
now employed in the Police Department as a bugler. I don't know what was the cause of
his insanity at Jhansi.
JULLUNDER;
PUNDIT HARI KISHEN,
The 10th April 1894.
Magistrate, 1st class.
(17) Notes on the previous history of Ganga Lohar, of Agra, age 26, No. 220 in the
Asylum register.
Ganga, lunatic, is quite insane and can give no information about himself. The follow-
ing notes have been gathered from his mother and brother. His father died when Ganga
was only a few years old. The only history of madness in the family is that his father's
elder brother once became insane for a few days. He dug up the floor of his house, was
violent, and talked nonsense. They took him away to a neighbouring village in a cart,
where some religious ceremony was performed, and he completely recovered and lived
well for five years afterwards.
None of the members of his family were ever addicted to
the use of hemp drugs. Ganga began the habit when he was about 15 years old, and took
bhang regularly every day and also charas and ganja whenever he could get them. He