NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 95
No. 6.—Mahangu Singh.—This man is now residing at Arrah. There are none of his
relatives here and no additional information can be obtained regarding him. The case is re-
corded as one of toxic insanity due to over-indulgence in bhang. Any further information
required may be obtained through the Government of Bengal.
[Inquiry was accordingly made regarding the past, personal, and family history of
Mahangu Singh in the Arrah district. The result is as follows:—
1. Is there any history of insanity in any
near relation of the lunatic ?
No, according to his statement.
2. Is there any other cause (misfortune,
jealousy, grief, fear, illness, injury, etc.) to
which the insanity might be ascribed ?
Apparently not.
3. Was the lunatic a moderate or exces-
sive consumer of bhang ? Was he an habi-
tual or occasional consumer?
He was a moderate consumer for about a
year and experienced no ill-effects. He was
about six months at Rampur and during that
period consumed it to excess: the madness
came on suddenly. He has not consumed
any bhang since then.
4. Had he consumed an unusual quantity
of bhang about the time he became insane,
and did he continue to consume it after
becoming insane ?
He was a moderate consumer for about a
year and experienced no ill-effects. He was
about six months at Rampur and during that
period consumed it to excess: the madness
came on suddenly. He has not consumed
any bhang since then.
5. Why do his friends or those who filled
up the descriptive roll think that bhang caus-
ed his insanity?
Because there was no other known cause.
6. Was he addicted to any other intoxi-
cant, such as opium, alcohol, dhatura, etc. ?
No, according to his statement.
From our enquiry the insanity appears to have been caused solely by the excessive use
of bhang. It will be noticed that while he was a moderate consumer he experienced no ill-
effects, but, on the other hand, was in excellent health. When he commenced immoderate
consumption he lost his appetite and could not eat his full rations.
J. H. GARRETT,
Joint Magistrate,
Shahabad.
W. FLOOD MURRAY,
Surgeon-Lieut.-Colonel,
The 2nd January 1894.
Civil Surgeon.
No. 7.—Bhowani Singh.—The evidence in this case shows that insanity (toxic) was
brought about by charas-smoking. The case is very similar to that of Niadar, report-
ed on below, and confirms the fact that insanity may be produced by a single indulgence
in the drug. Bhowani Singh became insane after smoking charas at the time of Holi
festival. He recovered soon after his admission to the Asylum and has remained well since.
He is quite candid as regards the cause, and I see no reason to doubt his statement, which
is confirmed by his mother and brother. The Assistant Collector's report after further
enquiry was as follows:—
"The civil officer who conducted the further inquiry 'in consultation with the Civil
Surgeon' reported as follows: 'With much difficulty Bhowani Singh was found; and I have
96
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
recorded the statements of his brother and mother. The only reason they are able to
suggest for his going mad is that he smoked some charas at the Holi festival. He never
smoked before or since, or used any intoxicant'".
No. 8.—Devi, Hindu.—Every
effort has been made to find this man, but without
success. The case is recorded in the Asylum books as one of toxic insanity due to the
use of ganja and alcohol. It cannot fairly be attributed to hemp drugs entirely, as the
alcohol was, no doubt, an important element in the case.
No. 9.—Shamsher Bahadur.—There is only one relative of this man in the Bareilly
district, viz., his uncle, Mangli Lal. He states that Shamsher Bahadur was a charas-
smoker, and there is no other cause assigned for his insanity. He was admitted to this
Asylum with symptoms such as would be produced by excessive use of intoxicants, such as
charas. He was, however, also addicted to the use of country liquor, which it may be pre-
sumed was a factor in the case.
In my opinion this was a case of toxic insanity produced by over-indulgence in charas
and liquor.
There is no history of insanity in his family.
If any further information is required about this case it might be obtained from the
authorities at Malwa, where the man now resides.
No. 10.—Balak Ram.—The evidence collected in this case clearly proves that it was
one of hereditary insanity and was not due to bhang.
No. 11.—Niadar, Chamar.—There is no doubt that this man's insanity was brought
about by charas-smoking. From the history it appears that he only indulged in one chil-
lum. This, if true, is an interesting fact as showing how quickly insanity may be brought
about by a very small quantity of the drug. Niadar was admitted to the asylum on 8th
April 1892. On 8th June he was reported as improving, and was discharged cured in Sep-
tember 1892. He is now well, and has not indulged in charas-smoking since his discharge.
This is probably due to the fact that he was never a confirmed smoker. There is no history
of insanity in his family.
The report after the further inquiry is that "he was quite well until one day, in the
village of Mullakpur, some one gave him a chillum of charas. He does not know how
much charas there was in the chillum. Nor does he know whether any other drug was
mixed with the charas. He had never smoked charas before. * * He was for about a
month at home from the time he smoked the charas until he was removed to Bareilly
Asylum. During that time he ran about wild. He was quite insane." He was aged 18
years.
J. ANDERSON, M.B.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 111
Case No. 9.—LUNATIC ADHAN.
1. What evidence is there to show that
the patient was addicted to the use of
hemp drugs?
1. Two persons named Ajudhia and Sahai
of Karnal, neighbours of Adhan, depose that
the patient was addicted to the use of
charas.
a. In what form was the drug used and
how partaken of?
2. Used to smoke charas in a chilam twice
or thrice a day.
3. How long had the man been given to
using the drug, and how long after first
commencing the habit did he become in-
sane?
3. For five or six years. He first became
insane after one year's use; was treated and
cured, but took to the habit again. Four
years after he again became insane, and was
then sent to the Delhi Asylum, where he
was treated and cured.
4. How many times had he been insane
previous to the occasion of his admission
into the asylum?
4. Once before for five months.
5. What form did his mania assume
before admission in the Asylum?
5. Before his admission into the Asylum
he was entirely insane, was in the habit of
running about naked and using abusive
language, and had to be tied up in order to
keep him in one place.
6. Has the patient used hemp in any
form since his discharge from the Asylum
and has he shown any signs of mania
again?
6. Was discharged from the Asylum about
eight months ago; uses charas occasionally,
which, though heating to the brain, has not
yet produced any signs of insanity.
7. What is the mental and physical con-
dition of the patient at this moment?
7. Is emaciated in body and weak in
brain.
8. Had the patient ever shown any
signs of insanity or mental weakness be-
fore using hemp in some form?
8. Showed no signs of insanity before
using charas, and was in good bodily condi-
tion.
9. With what object did the patient
first commence to use the drug, for the
pleasure of it or for the medicinal effects
9. For pleasure and not for any medicinal
effects.
produced? If the latter, for what ailment
was the drug used?
10.Did the patient find the moderate use
of the drug act as an aphrodisiac or the
reverse? Does he consider the habitual
use of hemp tends to cause impotency?
10. The use of charas was at first pleasing
to the patient, but its habitual use is stated
to have led to impotency.
Case No. 10.—LUNATIC NAND LALL.
1. What evidence is there to show that
the patient was addicted to use of hemp
drug?
1. He states that about five years prior to
his becoming insane he had been in the ha-
bit of smoking charas mixed with tobacco
twice a day.
2. In what form was the drug used and
how partaken of.
2. He says he used to put a piece of
charas, the size of a grain of gram, in a chil-
lum and smoked it in turns with his compa-
nions.
3. How long had the man been given
to using the drug and how long after first
commencing the habit did he become in-
sane?
3. See above.
112
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP-
4. How many times had he been insane
previous to the occasion of his admission
into the Asylum?
4. States that he had never been insane
before taking to using charas.
5. What form did his mania assume be-
fore admission in the Asylum.
5. He was in a state of acute violent
mania when admitted into the Asylum, was
very noisy and abusive, refused to wear any
clothing, and destroyed it when given to him,
and it was impossible to get any rational
answers out of him on any subject. He was
twice admitted into the Asylum. On first oc-
casion he was only about a month in the
Asylum and was then released cured.
6. Has the patient used hemp in any
form since his discharge from the Asylum,
and has he shown any signs of mania
again?
6. He says he returned to his usual avo-
cation of grazing cattle and began smoking
charas again, and in 20 days he was brought
back with acute mania. He says there was
a fakir whom he used to meet at a tank,
where he was in the habit of watering his
cattle, and it was this fakir who first persuad-
ed him to smoke charas. On his release the
first time he again met this fakir and was
persuaded by him to resume the habit. The
second time he came into the Asylum he was
equally violent and remained more or less
insane for about 10 weeks. It was not
thought advisable, however, to release him
for some time after he had regained his sen-
ses, so he was kept in the Asylum for 10
months and then discharged quite cured.
7. What is the mental and physical con-
dition of the patient at this moment?
7. On appearing before me to-day (No-
vember 25th, 1893, having been sent by the
Deputy Commissioner) he is perfectly ration-
al and as sane as a man can be, and gives
a full account of himself without hesitation.
He is in good bodily health and is a well-made
powerful man. Since the second release he
has never been near the fakir again and has
never smoked charas. He met the fakir once
and told him of the injury he had done him by
inducing him to smoke charas, and the fakir
advised him to keep away from him in future,
which he has done. He has given up his
former occupation of grazing cattle, and now
follows the plough.
8. Had the patient ever shown any
signs of insanity or mental weakness
before using hemp in some form?
8. No.
9. With what object did the patient first
commence to use the drug, for the pleasure
of it or for the medicinal effects produced?
If the latter, for what ailment was the drug
used?
9. He says he only took to smoking charas,
because the fakir and others did so, i.e., for
society's sake and not because of any pleasur-
able effects it produced.
10. Did the patient find the moderate
use of the drug act as an aphrodisiac or
the reverse? Does he consider the habi-
tual use of hemp tends to cause impo-
tency?
10. He found the use of charas act as an
aphrodisiac, and when he was using it he
became almost impotent. His sexual pas-
sions have now fully returned.
116
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
Hemp
Drug
cases
admitted
in
1892—contd.
Name, race, occupation,
district, age, and register
number of lunatic.
Alleged
cause, of
insanity
Statement
VII).
Type of in-
sanity (State-
ment VI).
State of
health on
admission.
Facts ascertained from the papers.
Asylum history and facts ascertained
from the registers and by inquiry
from the Superintendent, &c.
12. Jinda Shah ; Mus-
sulman; Beggar;
Dera Ismail Khan;
Bhang.
Toxic
insanity.
Fair ... This is this man's first attack.
It began in January 1892.
The cause is "unknown." The
man is addicted to bhang. It
is not known whether he is epi-
leptic. He is not suicidal. He is
dangerous to others. He was
charged with striking a con-
stable with a stick. The medical
officer says "he is violent, talks
incoherently, and uses abusive
language ; dirty in habits, fond
of going about naked. He dug
up the ground in his cell and
threw the dirt over other priso-
ners through the grating ; con-
stantly showing and making a
noise; has used violence on war-
ders and broken several pairs of
handcuffs."
Admitted, 17th November 1892.
On admission "this man has a
peculiar wild look, uses abusive
and senseless words, answers
questions disconnectedly."
On
8th December 1892 he "is quarrel-
some and fights with other luna-
tics; has to be kept locked up."
On 22nd March 1893 "has a
peculiar melancholic appearance."
On 8th April 1893 "dirty in habit,
eats everything whatever he finds,
as grass, wood, &c." He remains
"mad" and "quarrelsome "until
25th August 1893, when he "is
quieter and answers questions
rationally." On 22nd September
1893 he is "melancholic and an--
mic."
This man is still insane and un-
reliable ; but it may be noted
that he stated to us that he likes,
and has used, liquor, opium,
bhang, charas and dhatura. He
took them all for the sake of in-
toxication.
NOTES.—(1) As the papers in the cases of lunatics discharged are returned to the Magistrates, the only papers we saw were those of Mana Singh (No. 2) and
Jinda Shah (No. 12). The entries "from the papers" in all the other cases are taken from the Asylum abstract. It is to be noted that this
absract was found defective in one or two important points in the cases of Mana Singh and Jinda Shah.
(2) It would be specially interesting to ascertain more of the history of Mussammut Mooran (No. 8); as the abuse of hemp drugs by women has
rarely been found connected with insanity.
(3) The above cases, twelve in number, are all the admissions of 1892 ascribed to hemp drugs in Statement VII and entered under "Toxic insanity"
in Statement VI. The total number of admissions was—
Criminal
Males
23
Criminal
Female
1
Non-criminal
Males
43
Non-criminal
Females
11
TOTAL
78
It was to be regretted that the Superintendent was absent; but the cases will be sent to him and an expression of his opinion invited.
The
14th
October
1893.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 117
Report of the Superintendent, Lahore Lunatic Asylum, on the hemp drug cases of 1892.
I have the honour to forward copy of the inquiries made by the Magistrates, etc., into
the previous history of each of the patients admitted to the Lahore Lunatic Asylum in
1892, whose insanity was ascribed to hemp drugs, with my brief notes thereupon, as called
for in your No. 149 of 16th October 1893.
1.—-Kadir Baksh.
Kadir Baksh, a man of 25, is said to have been a user of hemp in the forms of bhang
and charas, and some of his fellow-villagers say he used opium also. There is no other
cause of his lunacy even hinted at by any of the persons who inquired into his case. He
was eleven months in the Asylum, and was discharged improved. He has remained well
since his discharge on the 14th January 1893.
It appears to be a case in which the use of hemp drugs really caused insanity in a
man not predisposed to it. The case was one of toxic mania.
LAHORE;
W. COATES, M.D.,
The 31st January 1894.
Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum.
In the case of Kadir Baksh, son of Makhna-Merasi,
resident of Jalalpur Batthian,
the
history is as follows:—
This man admits having been used to bhang, but denies ever having smoked charas;
his statement is not to be relied on. There is no doubt that he was insane and that the
insanity was due to the use of hemp drugs of one sort or another, more likely to be charas
than bhang. He denies having ever taken opium or smoking it. The man was discharged
from the Asylum at Lahore on 17th January 1893. He is now perfectly sane.
The father, when examined, upheld the son's statement that he used bhang, but not
charas.
The father is not addicted to any intoxicating drugs.
Enclosures to your letter under reply are returned.
GUJRANWALA;
R. CROSSLEY,
The 16th January 1894.
Civil Surgeon.
Tahsildar's report on the previous history and cause of insanity of the (late) lunatic
Kadir Baksh, son of Makhna, of Jalalpur Batthian, Tahsil Hafizabad.
I examined the late lunatic Kadir Baksh, his father Makhna, as well as Lambardars of
Jalalpur Batthian. Kadir Baksh, who is at present perfectly sane, stated that he was ad-
dicted to the use of bhang, but denied having ever used charas or opium; his father, Makh-
na, upheld his statement, and further stated that none of his relatives ever used intoxicating
drugs. But the Lambardars of the village, who had no concern whatever, asserted that
Kadir Baksh was in the habit of taking opium and smoking charas in addition to the use of
bhang, and that they ascribed his lunacy as the result of these drugs.
I am also of opinion that the mere indulgence in these drugs is proved to be the
cause of Kadir Baksh's insanity. He says Kadir Baksh and his father, through fear or
somehow or other, have not disclosed the truth.
2.-Mana
Singh.
In the case of Mana Singh the cause of insanity seems to be indulgence in bhang-
drinking. From Dr. Mulroney's report, however, it is seen that his mind and temper
were in youth uncertain and unstable, so that it may be that the use of bhang was only
the exciting cause and acted on a brain already predisposed to disease.
30
120
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
He was admitted in August 1892 and discharged cured in March 1893—eight months'
detention. He has remained sane ever since and is said to be at Hardwar at present.
His lunacy may have been due to hemp, but this is by no means certain; religious
excitement may have produced it, partly at all events.
LAHORE;
W. COATES, M.D.,
31st January
1894.
Superintendent, Lunatic
Asylum.
Somirgir is stated to have left Lahore some time ago and his whereabouts are not
known.
LAHORE;
F. S. JAMALDIN, KHAN BAHADUR,
18th December 1893.
Magistrate, 1st class, Lahore District.
6.—Mohna, Hindu, aged 28.
Was discharged cured from the Lunatic Asylum in May 1893; he himself gives a very
clear account of his illness and attributes it entirely to charas smoking.
There is no family history of insanity and it seems clear that the charas was the
cause of the illness.
The man is now said to be quite sane.
A case of toxic insanity.
LAHORE;
W. COATES, M.D.,
31st January
1894.
Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum.
Mohna, son of Narain Singh, Arora, late a lunatic in the Lahore Lunatic Asylum.
This man is now perfectly sane. He states that in 1886 he went to Rindli, in the
Quetta district. While there, in consequence of the intense cold and watering of the
eyes, he first began to take opium. He never exceeded half a pice worth, or 6 grains
daily. He returned to his home in Wazirabad in 1891 and remained there for a few months,
when he went to Lahore. He suffered no inconvenience from taking opium.
While at Lahore, where he remained for two and a half months engaged in selling
milk, curd, etc., he got into the habit of smoking charas, on which he spent half anna a day.
Under the influence of charas he quite lost his senses and was admitted a lunatic in the
Lahore Asylum on the 25th August 1892, and remained there until the 25th May 1893,
when he was discharged cured. He has not taken to the drug again, neither does he take
opium now.
His father being a Sikh did not smoke charas; neither was he addicted to any other
kind of drug.
His maternal uncle used bhang for 10 or 12 years, but did not suffer any inconveni-
ence from its use; he died from cholera in 1892 on his way to or from Hardwar.
Tahsildar,
of Wazirabad in the Gujranwala
District.
R. CROSSLEY,
16th January 1894.
Civil Surgeon,
Gujranwala.
7.-Tehl Shah, Suthra Fakir.
His insanity seems to be distinctly traceable to indulgence in narcotic drugs—opium
and hemp both as bhang and charas; he also had syphilis when he was about 25 years of
age; he is now about 35. His insanity began probably three years ago. Though hemp
was probably the exciting cause of his insanity, it is impossible to say that other probable
causes were absent, and so the case is not of much use for the purposes of the Commis-
sion's inquiry.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 123
been made over to him when discharged, and it is likely he would have considered himself
culpable if he had allowed him to use bhang or charas. There is no family history of in-
sanity. I do not think there is evidence enough to show what the cause of this case was.
LAHORE;
W. COATES, M.D.,
31st January
1894.
Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum.
Statement of Gufara Kashmiri.—I live in Kila Teja, in Batala Tahsil. My brother's
name is Subhan. I don't know if he is alive. He is older than I am—about 40 years of
age.
He was entrusted to me from the Lahore Lunatic Asylum last Cheyet. He was well
then.
He has been mad before; it was by God's will he became mad. He did not use bhang
or charas while he was at home; he became mad then. I don't know why.
I am the youngest of four brothers—Sultan Baksh, Juma, Subhan, and Gufara, all sons
of Jamal. Sultan Baksh and Juma are dead. I don't know where Subhan is now.
He remained with me for about a month, then he went to see a sister at Batala, who
was ill; then he didn't return. He was all right when he went there. None of our family
uses bhang or charas.
Attested.
J. R. MACONACHIE,
16th December 1893.
Deputy Commissioner, Gurdaspur.
11.—Dullo, a man of 25.
From the evidence or rather from the deductions drawn from it by the Civil Surgeon,
Gujranwala, it appears that this man was vicious and addicted to the use of hemp drugs
from his childhood. There is no family history of insanity, so it is fair to attribute his to
the use of the drugs.
LAHORE;
W. COATES, M.D.,
31st January 1894.
Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum.
In case of Dullo, son of Mya Das, Khatri, resident of Wazirabad, the following history
is disclosed. Dullo while still a child got into the habit of smoking charas and madak.
He led a wandering mendicant's life, stealing his mother's jewels and selling them for
purpose of obtaining drugs, to which be became accustomed. After stripping his mother
of all her property he took to begging and never set himself to honest work. The mother
says she did not accustom her son to opium by giving him any when an infant. Dullo's
father was in the habit of taking small quantities of opium, which, however, did him no
harm; he was not addicted to charas or bhang.
Dullo was sent to the Lunatic Asylum in October 1892, and was discharged in May last.
He is still silly though not insane.
He is now a prisoner in the Gujranwala Jail and is quiet and well behaved, but he can-
not resist grinning when spoken to and doing silly things at times.
————Tahsildar,
of Wazirabad in the Gujranwala
District.
16th January 1894.
R. CROSSLEY,
Civil Surgeon, Gujranwala.
12.—Jinda Shah.
Jinda Shah, 25 years, a Mussalman beggar, admitted to Lunatic Asylum in Novem-
ber 1892; died of diarrhœa in November 1893. His brother gives a very clear history of
the case, from which it appears that Jinda Shah was a confirmed user of Indian hemp in