72 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
not to be found. His mother states that he was kidnapped by a recruiter of emigrants.
She denies that he ever consumed drugs at all, and I cannot find out on what ground the
Magistrate stated that insanity was caused by ganja-smoking. Perhaps the Superintend-
ent of the Asylum can obtain some information on this point.
3. Local enquiry as to the cause of insanity of Bhagwoti Pershad.
Madhopershad, son of Sunder Lal, caste Kayast, present resident of Welleslyganj,
occupation service, aged 28 years, on oath, states that Bhagwoti Pershad, the insane, is
my nephew. Since he attained the age of 14 or 15 years he used to smoke 4 or 5 pice
worth ganja every day, and often he was also in the habit of taking bhang and black
pepper. It is about two years past he has turned insane. No member of our family or
anybody in the family of Bhagwoti Pershad's mother's side had ever insanity. I know
not how Bhagwoti Pershad turned insane. When he was attacked with the malady I was
not with him, and so I can't say what signs of insanity he had then.
Jasodanand, son of Daljit Pershad, caste Kayast, at present residing at Welleslyganj
former resident of Akorhi, occupation service, aged about 45 years, on oath, states that,
Bhagwoti Pershad is my son. It is over two years Bhagwoti Pershad has turned insane;
he was in the habit of smoking ganja 5 or 6 chilams, 4 or 5 pice worth, daily, and used
often bhang as well. Since he attained the age of 14 or 15 years he used to smoke ganja.
Some four or five months prior to his insanity his mind was not well, his appetite and
memory was also becoming loose gradually, and then all of a sudden he turned mad. Now
he is in the Benares Lunatic Asylum. I hear that he is recovering. None of my or my
father-in-law's family had insanity. It appears that, owing to his excessive use of ganja
and bhang, his memory turned unsound, and there is no other reason of his insanity.
Shadi Lal, chowkidar, son of Bipat, caste Pasi, inhabitant of Mouza Akorhi, occupa-
tion service, aged about 32 years, on oath, states that it is over two years Bhagwoti
Pershad turned insane. I do not know the cause of his insanity, but I know that he was
addicted to ganja and used often bhang as well. None in the family of Bhagwoti Pershad
had ever insanity. Bhagwoti Pershad was not in the habit of taking liquor.
OPINION.
Bhagwoti Pershad is in the Lunatic Asylum. I sent Madho Pershad, his uncle, to the
Assistant Surgeon in charge of Sadar, and both of us had a consultation regarding the
cause of insanity of Bhagwoti Pershad. After that I proceeded on to the spot and had a
local enquiry in the matter. Depositions of a few witnesses who are acquainted with the
matter recorded, which are herewith submitted. From the enquiry I am of opinion that
the cause of Bhagwoti Pershad's insanity is owing to his excessive use of ganja and bhang.
The opinion of the Assistant Surgeon is also herewith annexed.
CAMP AKORHI;
GANGA NARAIN,
Dated the 20th November 1893.
Deputy Magistrate, Mirzapur.
Statement made by Lalla Madho Ram, late Girdawal of His Highness the Maharajah
of Benares at Kachowa.
Name.—Bhagwoti Pershad.
Father's name.—Jasodanundun.
Caste.—Kayast.
Residence.—Welleslyganj, Mirzapur.
Age.—25.
Lalla Madho Ram is the uncle of the insane Bhagwoti Pershad. He remembers that
his nephew was addicted to the habit of smoking ganja since he was a boy of 14 or 15 years
old. He has seen him often to drink the mixture of bhang leaves and black-pepper. Al-
though his nephew was using regularly different preparations of Indian hemp, still he con-
tinued to remain in good health till he had the attack of insanity. He was not with his