FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 67
Telegram, dated 20th May 1894.
From—Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum, Tezpur,
To—Secretary, Hemp Drugs Commission.
So far all District Magistrates declare inability to get information throwing light on
thirteen ganja cases, 1892. I have nothing, therefore, to base opinion on.
Extract from the oral evidence of Surgeon-Major J. Mullane (Civil Surgeon, Dibru-
garh) regarding some of the 1892 admissions to the Tezpur Asylum.
I cannot say what was the cause of insanity in the case of the woman Kitni, No. 13,
sent up in 1892. I had not seen the descriptive roll before I dealt with the case. But
now I see from it that nothing was known of the woman.
I remember the case of Akhilananda (No. 2) (1892) very well. It was suspected at
the time that it was ganja. I heard about ganja at the time. But I had no positive evidence
at the time as to whether he took ganja. He was a man difficult to get anything out of.
He remained silent and morose. From this I rather disbelieved the account I got that he
took ganja. In my opinion, the symptoms were inconsistent with ganja. On that account
I disbelieved the statement made to me.
I do not remember the case of Chadi (No. 8) (1892). The noisy and violent character
is consistent with ganja. I cannot now say whether the symptoms were typical.
I do not remember the case of Khadu (No. 6) (1892). But my certificate shows
symptoms which are inconsistent with the ganja theory.
I remember the case of Jaganath (No. 5) (1892). I learned afterwards that the man
suffered from epilepsy; and his case is one of that variety of insanity which is associated
with epilepsy. I ascertained that he had had epilepsy in the Jail. I remember I had heard
that he used to take ganja; but I had rejected that in certifying to his case. I did not
think his symptoms consistent with the ganja theory. Besides, he had a curiously malform-
ed head, and I associated his insanity with that. It is possible that the adjectives and
expressions used in a brief certificate might be the same while expressing what would
appear to the observer different symptoms. Thus, "noisy" and "delusions" might be
used. But the character of the noise and of the delusions in ganja insanity are peculiar
in themselves. All I had to certify was enough to show the man insane, so I did not go
into detailed distinctions. All that is required is to leave no doubt in the Magistrate's
mind that the man is insane. You would, of course, in such cases omit any doubtful
matter.
I remember the case of Saheb Ram (No. 4) (1892). I knew the garden well, and
got a full account of the case. It was a case of religious mania only, and there was no
suspicion of ganja in the case. The symptoms were not consistent with ganja insanity. I
do not think so.
I remember the case of Bapu Ram (No. 9) very distinctly. It had a very tragic end-
ing. The man was discharged cured from this asylum, and cut off his wife's head a fort-
night after. He was sent back. He was suffering from phthisis at the time, and whether
he is alive or not I cannot say. I do not think ganja had anything whatever to do with his
case. He had been a Head Constable in Sibsagar, and had been discharged for insanity
many years ago. I formed no opinion as to the cause. He had a remarkably small brain
development, and a curiously smiling expression constantly on the face.