FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 165
Report of the Superintendent, Poona Lunatic Asylum, on the Hemp Drug cases of 1892.
With reference to your letter No. 149, dated Simla, 16th October 1893, and accom-
paniments, I have the honour to state I have communicated by letter with the different
Magistrates under whose warrants lunatics suffering from the effects of hemp drugs were
admitted into this Asylum in 1892 and up to 16th September 1893, the date of inspection of
Asylum by two members of your Committee. Information regarding the previous history
of all the lunatics has not yet been furnished, if any facts of importance are subsequently
received they will be communicated.
2. The discrepancy referred to in notes appended to "Hemp drug cases admitted in
1892" is explained as follows:—
Case No. 4, LAXMAN NAND RAM, is returned separately under two headings, viz.
ganja and spirit-drinking. This is incorrect, as both headings refer to the same lunatic.
The correct statement should be—
4 due to ganja.
1 due to ganja and spirit-drinking.
1 due to bhang.
Total ... 6
The following additional information has been received:—
Case 1, GULJARSHA GULABSHA.—The city Magistrate, Poona, reports that no
friends or relations of this man can be traced, hence no information regarding him is
forthcoming. It is believed the acute mania from which Guljarsha Gulabsha suffered
was due to the excessive use of ganja.
Case 2, RANG NATH
TRIMBACK
MOODLIAR.—This man is reported in vernacular
Yadi received with letter, dated 2nd December 1893, from City Magistrate, Poona, to have
been in a good state of health (presumably mentally and bodily) for a year previous to
admission. He did no work and drank one or two pice worth of bhang daily at noon
but never smoked ganja. When under the influence of bhang, he became violent. The
acute mania, for which he was admitted, is said to be the first attack, and I am of opinion
it was induced by the excessive use of bhang for a long period.
Case 3, TRIMBAK VINAYAK.—The City Magistrate reports that no friends or relations
of this man have as yet been found.
Case 4, LAXMAN NAND RAM.—The City Magistrate reports Laxman Nand Ram was
in good health previous to present attack. He had been addicted to ganja-smoking (one
or two pice worth daily) for a long time. I am of opinion the continuous use of ganja
slowly affected his nervous system and produced the attack of chronic mania, which
necessitated his admission.
Case 5, PAARAS RAM.—The first class Magistrate, Bhusaval, reports in his letter, dated
6th December 1893, that nothing reliable can be ascertained regarding the early history
of this man. His father died at Nasirabad some twenty years ago, and Paras Ram was not
afterwards heard of until three years ago, when he was considered a lunatic and remained
as such until transferred to this Asylum. The Magistrate further states that, except the
report of the Medical Officer, nothing is known in the district as to his having been
addicted to the use of ganja or alcohol. From the facts adduced it is difficult to decide
whether the insanity is due to the excessive use of hemp drugs or otherwise, but from
appearance of patient I am inclined to believe that the use of hemp drugs was the most
likely cause.
Case 6, HARI TRIMBAK RANADE.—The Huzur Deputy Collector and Magistrate,
Satara, reports that Hari Trimbak Ranade was an excessive smoker of ganja for a long
time, but continued in good health until he was seized with cholera four or five months
before getting insane. His nervous system was probably impaired by excessive ganja-
smoking before the cholera seizure, therefore the latter disease, though it may have
hastened the mania, can scarcely be considered a predisposing cause. I am of opinion
that the ganja habit would eventually have led to mania, though neither cholera nor other
disease supervened.
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