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REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [APP.
CASE NO. 6.—MAHOMED SAFDAR.
The Commissioner of Police, Bombay, states that none of the relations of this man can
be traced. Said to have lived by begging and was given to ganja-smoking. This is a
doubtful case, The man is still in the Asylum and not much improved, and denies the use
of ganja; but probably as a beggar he did use the drug, and that may have been the
exciting cause, but that is only a probability though the symptoms are those of mania due
to toxic causes. I regarded it as a doubtful case.
CASE NO. 7—CHINTAMON.
It is stated by the Commissioner of Police in his letter No. 7849—3, dated 4th Decem-
ber 1893, that he had been in the habit of smoking ganja from childhood. About 3 years
ago he showed signs of insanity but recovered soon. In June 1892 he was found wandering
in the streets, was violent and noisy. He was arrested by the Police, sent to the Asylum
under a certificate from the Police Surgeon. Since his discharge from the Asylum he has
not exhibited any signs of insanity.
I think ganja was the exciting cause in this case—the exciting cause only—because
there was no improvement. But after his discharge he suddenly recovered and has not
had another attack up to now. This is another reason for thinking it not a ganja case. If
addicted to hemp drugs, he would probably indulge and have a relapse. It is a case with
maniacal symptoms, but I regarded it as a doubtful case. It may therefore be allowed to
remain under toxic insanity.
CASE NO. 8.—VITHU, HINDU.
The Civil Surgeon, Thana, in his statement forwarded by the first class Magistrate of
that District, states that no family history is available as the man is not a native of that
town. It is stated that in the hospital he was quiet during the day, but always excited at
night. He was incoherent, unmindful of his person, dirty in his habits and inclined to
assault without provocation. The man was however sane whilst in the Asylum, but had to
be shown in the books. His friends who visited him here said that he was addicted to
ganja. The symptoms, as described by the Civil Surgeon, Thana, are those of acute mania
and look like a case of toxic insanity due to hemp drugs.
CASE NO. 9.—GURUDATT, HINDU.
The Civil Surgeon, Thana, states that his family history cannot be ascertained as he is
not a native of Thana. The information obtained from his wife is that he gave himself up
to the immoderate use of ganja some time before he was taken ill. Three or four chillums
used to be his allowance. Three or four years ago he was taken ill when he used to be
violent even to his friends and relations without provocation. This is not a ganja case.
Ganja may have been the exciting cause, but not the predisposing cause. There is a
previous history of insanity in this case. The symptoms are those of acute mania, but
not due to hemp drugs.
CASE NO. 10.—BIRJI MAKJI.
This is undobtedly not a ganja case. The man died from anæmia and fatty degenera-
tion of the heart. This was a case of melancholia due to causes stated above. The in-
formation recorded about ganja was obtained from his friends on admission, but none of his
relations can now be traced in Bombay. This insane was admitted here as a private
patient.