FURTHER
ENQUIRIES
REGARDING THE
ALLEGED
HEMP
DRUG
CASES OF
1892.
129
NAGPUR
LUNATIC
ASYLUM.
(SUPERINTENDENT,
DR.
MCKAY.)
Hemp
Drug
cases
admitted
in
1892.
Name, race, occupation,
district, age, and register
number of lunatic.
Alleged
cause of
insanity
(Statement
VII).
Type of insa-
nity (State-
ment VI).
State of
health on
admission.
Facts ascertained from the papers.
Asylum history and facts ascertained from
registers and from inquiry from
Superintendent.
1. Atmaram;
Hindu;
Sowar;
Nagpur;
35;
863.
Ganja
Mania
The statement shows that this man
was "insane for the last seven
years."
"It
appears that
he
was sane till he was sent to Jail
when he was 20 years old.
He
got mad while he was in Jail
for seven years.
He was re-
leased from 10 or 11 years ago,
and he has since been out of
mind."
"Supposed cause, per-
haps the use of Ganja drug."
The medical certificate of 23rd
May 1892 says that he "talks
great nonsense, has an idea he is
a clever Railway Engineer.
Is
quiet; answers questions sensi-
bly."
Admitted, 28th June 1892.
The Asylum register shows that on
admission the man was quiet and
answered
questions
rationally.
"7th July, weight 102 lbs.
No
mental
change.
August
15th,
weight
102
lbs.
Quiet,
no
change, destroyed a coat last
week.
September 19th, weight
102 lbs.
Has had fever, quiet,
occasionally talks nonsense.
Oc-
tober 10th, weight
101. Talks
nonsense; has still the same illu-
sions.
November 12th, weight
103
lbs.
Still talks
nonsense.
December 22nd, weight 106 lbs.
Complains of not having received
his Jewellery or the pay for mak-
ing the new mills or the Railway,
his contract was for 5 feet of line
a day.
1893, January 26th, weight
105.
No improvement, is always mak-
ing trains.
Is very afraid that
there will be an accident as he is
not present at the station.
De-
mentia. February 13th, weight
105½ lbs.
No mental improve-
ment
13th March, weight 103½
lbs No improvement. 27th April,
weight 104 lbs. Quiet but
no
mental change
15th May, weight
103½ lbs. The same delusions.
8th June, weight 100 lbs.
Quiet.
Hospital orderly. 13th July, weight
102 lbs. Quiet, no mental change.
10th August, 101 lbs. Became very
excited and abusive on the
8th
August."
This man said to us that he smoked
three chillums a day
two pice
worth), which with tobacco came
to Rs. 2 per mensem.
He also
took bhang in the hot weather.
He
says
he
took
bhang
about Rs. 3 (1-8 bhang and 1-8
sugar) in four months.
He also
drank liquor he says.
He talked
utter nonsense about his imprison-
ment.
It
is the routine
(the
Deputy Superintendent says) to
copy at once the supposed cause
from the papers received from
D. C, and to enter the type after
some time has elapsed and the
case been diagnosed.
2. Tajodin;
Mussal-
man; Sepoy; Nag-
pur; 30; 867.
Ganja
Dementia
The statement shows that the man
was about five years ago under
treatment in the regimental hos-
pital, and that the cause of his
insanity
is "unknown."
The
medical certificate of 25th Au-
gust 1892 shows that he had
"vacant, wandering expression of
face, rambling, incoherent talk,
habits filthy. I am informed that
Tajodin is a confirmed smoker of
ganja."
Admitted, 26th August 1892.
The Asylum register shows that
when admitted in the end of Au-
gust this man weighed 113 lbs.
"September 19th, weight 115 lbs.
Talks nonsense, refuses to take
food, is very depressed.
October
10th, weight 115½ lbs. Mutters to
himself.
November 12th, weight
114 lbs. Is improving, but still
very dirty in his habits.
Decem-
ber 22nd, weight 118 lbs.
Slight
improvement, still dirty.
January 26th, 1893, weight 114 lbs.
Suffers from fever, no mental
im-
33