FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 125
JUBBULPORE LUNATIC ASYLUM.
(SUPERINTENDENT, DR. GAFFNEY.)
Hemp Drug cases admitted in 1892.
Name, race,
occupation, |
Alleged cause of insanity (Statement VII). |
Type of insanity (Statement VI). |
State of health on admission. |
Facts ascertained from the papers. |
Asylum history and facts ascertained from registers and from inquiry from the Superintendent. |
1. Rathi Ram
Singh; Hindu; Cultivator; Jubbulpore; 20; 189. |
Ganja. |
Toxic insanity. |
The "memorandum"
received with the order for reception shows that "he was apprehend- ed in the Sihora Tahsil when he was entering houses and beating the women and chil- dren" The cause of insanity is "not known." Dr. Franklin (Civil Surgeon) certified that he "is noisy and talkative, does not sleep at night, but walks up and down the room throughout the night, destroys his clothing, ha bits dirty." (25th January 1892.) Admitted, 28th January 1892. |
On 23rd February the
register says that "for the last fortnight the man has been quiet and ra- tional, works in the enclosure, is obedient to the warders, but quar- relsome with the patients." The next entry is dated October 20th and says that he "continues quiet and rational and gives no trouble." His friends are to be communicated with. His brother was written to on 13th Decem- ber, but did not come in. The lunatic escaped on 25th July 1893, was to have been recommended for discharge at the visitor's meet- ing of 31st idem. There is an entry in the register of all the details of the statement with the words "addicted to the use of ganja" added, but no explana- tion of these words or authority for them. |
|
2. Dallhaman
Singh; Hindu; Police Constable; Jubbul- pore; 32; 190. |
Ganja. |
Toxic insanity. |
The "memorandum" states
that he "was found wandering about the railway station and is said to have thrown his property out of the railway carriage in which he was travelling." The cause is not known. The medical cer- tificate, dated 25th January 1892, says that he "will not answer questions, but rolls about on the ground crying; very dirty in his habits, sleepless, does not observe the customs of his caste, has to be fed by an attendant." Admitted, 28th January 1892. Discharged "cured," 12th April 1892. |
On 10th February the
register shows that he "was in a separate room until today, but as he is now quite rational, he is taken out and placed in association with other patients." On 23rd February it is stated that he "answers ques- tions rationally, and says he was addicted to the use of ganja and bhang for eight or ten years." On 18th March the Superintend- ent says that as "the insanity was due to the abuse of ganja and bhang he may be made over to the care of his brother." He was released accordingly "cured." His statement above recorded is the sole ground for attributing the case to ganja; but it seems a rea- sonable explanation of the symp- toms. |
|
3. Umrao, Gond; Cul- tivator; Chhindwa- ra; 32; 198. |
Ganja. |
Mania |
The memorandum shows that this is a second attack and attributes it to "measles or ganja." But the statement of the case by the Deputy Commissioner of Chhind- wara shows that the man was a prisoner in the Jail when he mur- dered a warder without provoca- tion. He was committed for trial on 16th September 1891, but acquitted on the ground of insanity. Evidence was given at the trial that there had been in- sanity in his family. Admitted, 23rd March 1892. |
On 23rd March his condition is as follows: "Does not answer ques- tions put to him, but takes his food; to be carefully watched and kept in a separate room." On 10th August he attacked the warder while his cell was being cleaned out and seized him by the throat. Up to June 1893 there is "no improvement. He has not spoken a word since he came to the Asylum." Is dangerous and two men always enter together when he has to be attended to. He eats, sleeps, smokes, and makes no disturbance." |
|
4. Udai Ram; Hindu; Tahsil Jamadar; Ni- mar; 50; 199. |
Bhang. |
Mania |
The statement shows that
this is a second attack. The first attack was a year ago and treated at Khandwa. "Used to be addict- ed to majum eating and ganja smoking." The medical certi- ficate, dated 15th March 1892, |
On 12th April it is
recorded that he "sleeps during the day, but at night is violent, pacing his cell and shaking the chains of the door, continually singing and dancing, spits and throws dirt at the attendants." |
32