FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 71

Report by Surgeon-Major Sweeney, Superintendent, Benares Asylum on the Hemp Drug cases of 1892.

I have the honour now to enclose the result of the local enquiries held by the Magistrates and Civil Surgeons into the cases of the six lunatics selected from the asylum for enquiry, and whose insanity was attributed to the use of Indian hemp in one or other of its forms.

Of the six no trace could be found of Nos. 1 and 2, by name Bhawanidin and Ram Das, and consequently no enquiries could be made regarding them ; but the remaining four cases have been duly enquired into and the results are forwarded herewith. As regards No. 3,
by name Bhagwoti Pershad. In this case there is no reason to doubt that ganja and bhang are responsible for the insanity. The evidence of the uncle, Mad ho Pershad, and of Josodanund, showed that Bhagwoti Pershad was addicted to the excessive use of ganja and bhang, and in the absence of all trace of heredity or of any other probable exciting cause, it is reasonable to assume that his malady was caused as stated.

No. 4, by name Ramlal.—The evidence in this case shows that Ramlal, although not using either ganja or charas, was in the habit of consuming a considerable amount of bhang. I am informed that half a tola of bhang is, except in the case of habitual excessive consumers, a large quantity and capable of producing decided intoxication. In this case also no heredity can be shown, and no probable exciting cause of insanity, excepting the regular drinking of bhang.

No. 5, Hinganlal.—This case bears witness unmistakeably to the effects of bhang. Commencing at the age of io years to take one tola of bhang twice daily, which is a very considerable amount, its consumption culminated on two occasions in insanity, which got cured on the stoppage of the drug and recurred on its resumption. Here also no heredity or predisposing cause can be found, and the natural conclusion comes to us that bhang was the exciting cause.

No. 6, Ram Smair.—In this case the chain of .connection is not as strong as in the others, though the evidence shows that he used to drink bhang occasionally, and the witness No. 3 named Birchu
shows that Ram Smair was very intoxicated the day before he disappeared, and that the intoxication was such as would have been caused by bhang. In this case one should remember the great reluctance of any native, especially when any formal enquiry is on foot, to admit consuming anything to excess owing to fear of possible ulterior punishment. It is quite possible that in the case of a student, as this man was, even a single overdose following on even moderate use of the drug, might have produced mental disturbance. I have on innumerable occasions had men sent for observation and report who were in a state of violent maniacal excitement, which lasted from 8 to 12 days from what they described to be a single indulgence in the use of the drug.
In returning the series of questions circulated to witnesses, I have the honour to point out that I have only just taken over charge of the Asylum, and am not thoroughly conversant with the subject. I therefore only answer such questions as have come within my knowledge as

Civil Surgeon in the North-West Provinces.
From—The Joint Magistrate, Benares, To—The District Magistrate, Benares.

I have the honour to forward the result of my inquiry in accordance with your orders of 24th November last. The report has been delayed as, being in charge of the city, I was unable to leave head-quarters. Of the three persons whose insanity is said to have been caused by the use of drugs, only one can be found.
Ramdas Thakur is a wandering mendicant with no family and fixed abode. I have not been able to find any trace either of him or of any of his relatives, Bhawanidin is also not to be found. His mother states that he was kidnapped by a recruiter of emigrants. She denies that he ever consumed drugs at all, and I cannot find out on what ground the Magistrate stated that insanity was caused by ganja-smoking. Perhaps the Superintendent of the Asylum can obtain some information on this point.

3. Local enquiry as to the cause of insanity ofBhagwoti Pers/lad.
Madhopershad, son of Sunder Lal, caste Kayast, present resident of Welleslyganj, occupation service, aged 28 years, on oath, states that Bhagwoti Pershad, the insane, is my nephew. Since he attained the age of 14 or 15 years he used to smoke 4 or 5 pice worth ganja every day, and often he was also in the habit of taking Mang and black pepper. It is about two years past he has turned insane. No member of our family or anybody in the family of Bhagwoti Pershad's mother's side had ever insanity. I know not how Bhagwoti Pershad turned insane. When he was attacked with the malady I was not with him, and so I can't say what signs of insanity he had then.
Jasodanand, son of Daljit Pershad, caste Kayast, at present residing at Welleslyganj former resident of Akorhi, occupation service, aged about 45 years, on oath, states that, Bhagwoti Pershad is my son. It is over two years Bhagwoti Pershad has turned insane ; he was in the habit of smoking ganja 5 or 6 chilams, 4 or 5 pice worth, daily, and used often bhang as well. Since he attained the age of 14 or 15 years he used to smoke ganja. Some four or five months prior to his insanity his mind was not well, his appetite and memory was also becoming loose gradually, and then all of a sudden he turned mad. Now he is in the Benares Lunatic Asylum. I hear that he is recovering. None of my or my father-in-law's family had insanity. It appears that, owing to his excessive use of ganja and bluing, his memory turned unsound, and there is no other reason of his insanity.
Shadi Lal, chowkidar, son of Bipat, caste Pasi, inhabitant of Mouza Akorhi, occupation service, aged about 32 years, on oath, states that it is over two years Bhagwoti Pershad turned insane. I do not know the cause of his insanity, but I know that he was addicted to ganja and used often bhang as well. None in the family of Bhagwoti Pershad had ever insanity. Bhagwoti Pershad was not in the habit of taking liquor.

OPINION.
Bhagwoti Pershad is in the Lunatic Asylum. I sent Madho Pershad, his uncle, to the Assistant Surgeon in charge of Sadar, and both of us had a consultation regarding the cause of insanity of Bhagwoti Pershad. After that I proceeded on to the spot and had a local enquiry in the matter. Depositions of a few witnesses who are acquainted with the 'matter recorded, which are herewith submitted. From the enquiry I am of opinion that the cause of Bhagwoti Pershad's insanity is owing to his excessive use of ganja and bhang. The opinion of the Assistant Surgeon is also herewith annexed.
CAMP AKORHI ;    GANGA NARAIN,
Dated the aoth November 1893.    Deputy Magistrate, Mirzapur.
Statement made by Lalla Mad/lb Ram, late Girdawal of His Highness the Maharajah
of Benares at Kachowa.
Name.—Bhagwoti Pershad.
Father's name.—Jasodanundun. Cast e .—Kayast.
Residence.—Welleslyganj, Mirzapur. Age.-25.
Lalla Madho Ram is the uncle of the insane Bhagwoti Pershad. He remembers that his nephew was addicted to the habit of smoking ganja since he was a boy of 14 or 15 years old. He has seen him often to drink the mixture of bhang leaves and black-pepper. Although his nephew was using regularly different preparations of Indian hemp, still he continued to remain in good health till he had the attack of insanity. He was not with his
FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 73                           
nephew when he was insane, so he cannot give the full particulars and symptoms of his nephew's illness. His nephew has been sent to the Lunatic Asylum at Benares about 18 months ago and where he is still at present. He has been told that his nephew is almost cured now, and he will soon go to Benares to get his release from the Asylum. He cannot remember that any other member of his family had the same or allied disease before or at present.                           
Remarks.—This case also proves that owing to the continuous use of ganja and bhang, Bhagwoti Pershad became insane. He is still at the Benares Lunatic Asylum ; and as he is reported to be well now, he will be able to furnish his own history of his illness if enquired there.                           
MANMATHA NATH BASU,               
Assistant Surgeon.               
4. Local enquiry as to the cause of insanity of Ramlal.                           
Ramlal, son of Sheo Narain, caste Bhouja, of Ahrora, aged 22 years, occupation Bhouja, on oath, states that I became insane some 23 months ago and was in unconscious state for a period of two or three months. I do not know the cause of my insanity. I never smoked ganja or charas, but that two years previous to my becoming insane I used to take one tola, worth 4 pice, bhang once every day in the evening time. I am not aware whether my grandfather was ever insane, but that my father was never afflicted with this malady or my mother or maternal grandparents. That when I became insane neither had the second stage of my matrimonial ceremony been performed, nor had I ever visited my wife. I was admitted into the Benares Lunatic Asylum. I am neither insane nor do I take bhang now. Since I have come out of the Asylum I am all right, and since then I have never been re-attacked with the malady. I used to smoke tobacco also. My memory and appetite began to fail me four or five months previous to my insanity, and I became confounded.                           
GANGA NARAIN.       
Chhedi, son of Sheo Narain, caste Bhouja, of Ahrora, aged 26 years, occupation Bhouja, on oath, states that Ramlal is my brother. I do not know the cause of Ramlal's insanity. It was 23 or 24 months ago that be become insane. His mind seemed to have been in disorder some two or four months before he became absolutely insane, and his appetite also began to fail him. He was not in the habit of smoking ganja or cbaras, but he used to take one tola bhang once every evening. I have never seen my grandfather, and so I am not in a position to say if he was ever insane. My father, Sheo Narain, died some three years ago and had never been afflicted with insanity. He used to take a little liquor, but never took bhang. I myself never took bhang, but used tobacco ; neither my mother nor her parents had ever insanity.                           
GANGA NARAIN.       
Fakiran, son of Bandhu, caste Sheik, of Mohalla Bazargunj, aged 86 years, occupation service, on oath, states that I am the Karunda of Nil Hasan, Bandi Bibi zemindar, and live at Ahrora since nearly 40 years, where Ramlal lives also. Ramlal is a ryot of my master I know not how Ramlal became insane. Ramlal used to take bhang every day worth half a pice. He turned himself insane all of a sudden. His father, Sheo Narain, never used bhang, but was in the habit of taking a little liquor.                           
GANGA NARAIN.       
Mathuta, son of Gouri, caste Bhouja, of Ahrora, aged 25 years, occupation Bhouja, on oath, states that Ramlal is the son of my father's sister. I do not know the cause of his insanity. His mother, Mussammat Dokhni, was never insane, nor Chakori, my paternal grandfather and Ramlal's maternal grandfather. I do not know whether Chakor ever took liquor or bhang. My father died before him. Ramlal used to take a little bhang                           
since last two or three years.    GANGA NARAIN.                           

Bharos, son of Ram Dihal, caste Chamar, of Ahrora, age 27 years, occupation service, on oath, states that Ramial lives in my beat. I do not know how Ramlal became insane. All of a sudden he turned insane. Ramlal did not smoke ganja or charas, but used to take one tola bhang every day in the evening time. I saw his father, Sheo Narain, who never used to take bhang or turned insane.
GANGA NARAIN.
OPINION.
I sent Ramtal to the Civil Surgeon and had a consultation with him as well regarding the cause of insanity of Ramlal. After that I proceeded on to the spot and had a local enquiry in the matter. Depositions of Ramlal and a few witnesses acquainted with the cause of insanity of Ramlal recorded, which are also herewith submitted. From the enquiry I am of opinion that cause of Ramlal's insanity is owing to his excessive use of bhang. The opinion of the Civil Surgeon is herewith annexed.
CAMP AHRORA ;    GANGA NARAIN,
The z6th yanuary 1894.    Deputy Magistrate, Mirzapur.
Ramlal, aged 22.
Father's name.—Shibi Narain.
Caste.—Bhouja.
Residence.—Ahrora.
Two years previous to his admission to the Lunatic Asylum he had been in the habit of daily taking bhang once in evening time in cold infusion 4 tola daily. Four months previous to his being insane his memory began to fail—also his appetite—evidently the habit is taken to prevent hunger. The body, as in opium-eaters, emaciates usually.
This man's insanity was undoubtedly directly attributable to the excessive and habitual use of bhang. Since his recovery and return home the man has never taken to its use and has never had another attack and is in fair health, and, as he says, his health now is infinitely better than when he was addicted to the habit. I have had several cases during my residence here under me sent to the cells as raving lunatics which I have recognized as toxic insanity due to bhang and have never sent to a Lunatic Asylum. They have all recovered and been released. Their history has always been carefully enquired into by me.
H. E. DRAKE-BROCKMAN, F.R.C.S.,
Civil Surgeon.
5. Local enquiry as to the cause of insanity of flinganlal.
Hinganlal, son of Summi, caste Brahman Panda, inhabitant of Bindhiachal, occupation Pandai, aged about 25 years, on oath, states that it is about 16 or 17 months past I turned insane ; for four months I was not in my sense then. I do not know the cause of my insanity. I used to take bhang worth half a pice and /th pice worth of black pepper twice a day, since I attained the age of to or ii years. At the age of 14 or 15 years once more I turned insane for five or six months. I do not know the cause of my insanity, how I was recovered from the malady, or by whom treated. Then, when I recovered, for nearly four or five months I did not use bhang. After that again I began to use the similar quantity of bhang and black pepper and turned again insane. Before I turned insane last time I lost my memory and appetite, and could not sleep soundly and did not feel well in the mind. For four months I was in the Lunatic Asylum. I have not been married as yet. Since I have come out of the Asylum I do not take bhang or any other intoxicating drugs, but scarcely when my associates press me of course then I take a little bhang. Since a month previous to my becoming insane the last time I did not feel well. None of my family of either sides had ever this malady. I never used ganja and charas.
GANGA NARAIN.
Summi, son of Madho Ram, caste Brahman Panda, inhabitant of Bindhiachal, occupation Pandai, aged 85 years, on oath, states that Hingan is my son : nearly 16, 17, or 18 months past he turned insane and continued in that state for four months. He became insane in the month of Bhador of the last year, and was in the Benares Lunatic Asylum. When Hingan was zo years old he used to take one tola bhang and pice worth black
FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ALLEGED HEMP DRUG CASES OF 1892. 75
pepper twice daily. When he became 14 years old for four or five months he turned insane, and recovered from the malady through the treatment of country physicians. I too used to take bhang about one kori in measure every clay for 4o years, and have discontinued now. Neither I myself, anybody in my family, nor any member in my father-in-law's family ever turned insane. When in the last time Hingan turned insane, he was also then in the habit of using bhang. One or one and a half months previous to his insanity his mind was not well. I do not know how Hingan turned insane.
GANGA NARAIN.
Abdul Majid Khan, son of Shukulla Khan, caste Pathan, of Bindhiachal, aged 28 years, occupation service (municipal chowkidar), on oath, states that I do not know how Hinganlal became insane. He turned insane all of a sudden. Hinganlal was in the habit of taking one tola bhang daily. Neither Hingan's father nor any of his relatives ever had insanity.
GANGA NARAIN.
OPINION.
I sent Hinganlal to the Assistant Surgeon in charge of the Sadar to find out the cause of his insanity, and had also a consultation with him. After that I proceeded on to the spot and had a local enquiry in the matter. Depositions of Hinganlal and a few witnesses who are acquainted with the cause of his insanity recorded, which are also herewith submitted. From the enquiry I am of opinion that the cause of Hingan's insanity is owing to his excessive use of bhang. The opinion of the Assistant Surgeon is also herewith enclosed.
CAMP BINDIACHAL ;    GANGA NARAIN,
The rgth November 1893.    Deputy Magistrate, Mirzapur.
Statement of Hingan, Brahman, a discharge inmate of Benares Lunatic Asylum.
Name.—Iii ngan
Father's name.—Bindun.
Caste.—Brahman, Hindu.
Residence.—B indiac hal, Mirzapur.
Age.-25.
Since he was a boy of To years old he was in the habit of taking once daily a mixture containing half pice worth of bhang leaves (pounded or made into a paste at first) and quarter pice worth of black pepper. This he continued to take without any apparent ill-heath. At his fourteenth year somehow or other he had a fit of insanity, but he cannot state at present how he became insane at that time and how long he suffered from disorder of mind. He thinks he was insane for six months, but he does not remember whether he was treated in any Asylum or he was treated in his own house. He remembers•at present that after he was thoroughly well at that time, he did not use bhang for at least four months, and after that period he again regularly took bhang till he had a second attack of the disease. Last year in the Hindustani month of Chait he had a relapse. He cannot state at present what led to this second attack. He remembers that he could not sleep for days, had no appetite, and his mind was very much excited before he had the recurrence of insanity. He cannot at present recall to his mind what he did and what occurred to him during the period he was insane. He says that when he was cured he found that he was confined in a place which he afterwards came to learn to be the Lunatic Asylum of Benares. No other member of his family had this disease.
He has left off the habit of regularly taking bhang since his discharge from the Asylum, but now and then he takes bhang mixture when compelled by his friends. He seems
to be thoroughly sane at present.    REMARKS.
This case conclusively proves that hemp leaves which Hingan Brahman used to take regularly was the cause of the two attacks of insanity of which he was a victim. If Hingan again contracts his old vice, then it is probable that he might again get relapse of insanity.
MANM ATHA NATH BASli,
Assistant Surgeon,

6. Ram Samair.
Ram Smair I succeeded in finding. He is now in his right senses. I append statements made by him and also by other persons likely to have an intimate knowledge of him. From these statements it appears that Ram Smair never indulged in ganja, but that he occasionally took bhang in moderate quantities. It does not appear that this was really the cause of his becoming insane, though possibly insanity may have been hastened by an overdose of the drug.
Ram Smair states :—I am all right now. I remained for two months in the Asylum and then got well. I left the Asylum 6t months ago, and since then I have had no return of insanity. I was a consumer of bhang before I went into the Asylum. I consumed bhang for five or six months. I did not consume it every day, perhaps once in 7 or 8 days. I did not consume it to excess, but just as any one else does. I have no recollection of how I came to commit theft. I was quite out of my senses for two months. I had not indulged in bhang to any excessive extent before I lost my senses. It was not owing to the bhang that I lost my senses. I was affected by a disease which is known as " thai." It was this that made me insane. I was affected this way once before. It was about the time of the Dasehra that I first began to lose my senses. I did not indulge in bhang to any excessive extent in the Dasehra. I have never smoked ganja.
Ram Das Misser.—Ram Smair is my brother ; he is younger than I am. He only drank bhang occasionally. He was not a daily or a habitual consumer. Numbers of people drink bhang, and Ram Smair drank it just as other people do. I never drink bhang myself. Ram Smair is engaged in the ceremonies at the Ram Lila. Ram Smair did not engage in any excessive consumption at the time of the Ram Lila. The first time he became insane was about a year ago. He got well in a month or two. When Ram Smair was arrested for theft he went to Benares to read ; he was alright ; he was arrested there. I don't know the circumstances as I was not there. Ram Smair read with Sama Churn and Mahabir. Sama Churn lives in Nai Basti. It was owing to illness that Ram Smair became insane. He took very little bhang: that Was not the reason of his insanity. He never smoked ganja ; he is a Brahman, and is not allowed by the rules of his caste to smoke ganja.
. Raj Narain, Kayast.—I am zamindar of the village in which Ram Smair lives. I have known him for a long time ; he is one of my tenants. He is an exceedingly respectable man, and belongs to a most respectable family. Ram Smair used to take bhang now and then in an ordinary way, just as other people take it. He never consumed it to excess. That was not the cause of his madness. He became insane from illness. In Benares all the Pandas and Brahmans and Mahajans are consumers of bhang. There is no popular feeling against taking it. Just as other respectable men take bhang so Ram Smair used to take it. Ram Smair was reading with Mahabir at Benares when he went mad ; he ran away from there ; he wandered about for many days ; he threw away his sacred thread, and committed many other acts of madness. I don't know how he came to be arrested. I have never heard of any one going mad from the use of bhang. It is considered like tobacco; but excessive use produces intoxication ; it never produces permanent insanity.
Berch, Brahman.—I know Ram Smair. I read with him at Benares. One day Ram Smair did not appear for the reading, and then I learnt that he had gone mad. I learnt it one or two months afterwards. He disappeared for one or two months, and then it came to my knowledge that he had gone mad and had been sent to the madhouse. When Ram Smair was reading with me, I saw him every day. Occasionally he used to take a little bhang. I can't say whether he was an excessive consumer or not. He never took enough to make him quite senseless, though he was intoxicated, I can't say what was the cause of his madness—whether it was bhang or some other cause. The day before he disappeared he appeared to be intoxicated. He was very intoxicated. The intoxication was like the intoxication produced by bhang.
Mahabir.—I know Ram Smair ; he used sometimes to read with me. I was not in Benares when he was arrested. I was at Jaunpur, and when I came back I heard that he had gone mad. I can't say why he went mad. I don't know whether he consumed any
intoxicating drug or not.