NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
6
STATEMENTS OF THE MENTAL HOSPITALS
STATEMENT
Statement showing the Admissions, Discharges, etc., of Lunatics at the
1
Years.
2
Remained at
the beginning
of the year.
Males.
Females.
Total.
3
Admitted.
Males.
Females.
Total.
4
Re-
admit-
ted.
Males.
Females.
Total.
5
Total
population.
Males.
Females.
Total.
6
Discharged.
A.
Cured.
Males.
Females.
Total.
B.
Transferred to
friends.
Im-
proved.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Not
improved.
Males.
Females.
Total.
C.
Other-
wise.
Males.
Females.
Total.
D.
Total.
Males.
Females.
Total.
7
Died.
Males.
Females.
Total.
8
Remaining
at the end
of the year.
Males.
Females.
Total.
MADRAS.
1923.
C.
V.
486
2
171
...
657
2
160
2
57
...
217
2
5
...
1
...
6
...
651
4
229
...
880
4
82
1
23
...
105
1
20
...
10
...
30
...
6
...
2
...
8
...
9
...
1
...
10
...
117
1
36
...
153
1
The capacity of the Madras Mental Hospital at 60 square feet per European patient equals ...
47
1
17
...
64
1
487
2
For Males ...
For Females ...
For Males ...
For Females ...
Total ...
176
...
663
2
91
81
444
108
724
WALTAIR.
1923.
C.
V.
76
...
15
...
91
...
16
...
5
...
21
...
1
...
...
...
1
...
93
...
20
...
113
...
9
...
...
...
9
...
2
...
...
...
2
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
11
...
...
...
11
...
The capacity of the Waltair Mental Hospital at 50 square feet per Indian patient equals—
Males
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Females
...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Total ...
5
...
1
...
6
...
77
...
19
...
96
...
79
17
96
CALICUT.
1923.
C.
V.
175
...
41
...
216
...
54
...
10
...
64
...
16
...
3
...
19
...
245
...
54
...
299
...
47
...
10
...
57
...
22
...
2
...
24
...
1
...
...
...
1
...
2
...
...
...
2
...
72
...
12
...
84
...
The capacity of the Calicut Mental Hospital at 50 square feet per Indian patient equals—
Males
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Females
...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Total ...
13
...
5
...
18
...
160
...
37
...
197
...
200
62
262
PRESIDENCY.
Grand Total
for 1923.
Grand Total
for 1922.
Grand Total
for 1921.
739
726
671
227
216
221
966
942
892
232
243
251
72
69
71
304
312
322
22
28
19
4
4
4
26
32
23
993
997
941
303
289
296
1,296
1,286
1,237
139
123
102
33
34
31
172
157
133
44
47
36
12
11
10
56
58
46
7
11
9
2
2
9
9
13
18
11
15
12
1
5
4
12
20
16
201
184
159
48
54
54
249
238
213
66
74
56
23
8
26
89
82
82
726
739
726
232
227
216
958
966
942
C. = Compulsory.
V. = Voluntary.
STATEMENTS OF THE MENTAL HOSPITALS
7
No. I.
Mental Hospitals in the Madras Presidency during the year 1923 and the two previous years.
9
Daily average
strength.
Males.
Females.
Total.
10
Daily average
sick.
Males.
Females.
Total.
11
Percentage to
Daily average strength.
A.
Cured.
Males.
Females.
Total.
B.
Died.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Admission.
C.
Cured.
Males.
Females.
Total.
D.
Died.
Males.
Females.
Total.
478.40 175.61 654.01 87.88 29.78 117.66 17.36 13.14. 16.21 10.04 9.71
9.94 11.97 13.79 12.44 7.78 13.79
The maximum number of lunatics confined during any one night was on the night of the 13th December 1923, viz. :—
Recoveries on new admissions ...
Deaths on new admissions ...
Males.
20
13
Females.
8
8
Total.
28
21
Males ...
Females ...
Total ...
9.33
488
182
—
670
77.59
16.39
93.98
2.0
0.13
2.13
11.6
...
9.58
6.44
6.10 6.38 17.65
...
13.64 5.88
...
The maximum number of lunatics confined during any one night was on the night of the 5th December 1923, viz.:—
Admissions cured ...
Admissions died ...
Males.
9
5
Females.
...
1
Total.
9
6
Males ...
Females ...
Total ...
4.54
82
17
99
169.83 41.25
211.08 4.47
1.21
5.68 27.67 24.24 27.00 7.65 12.12
8.53 20.00 30.77 21.69
8.57
7.69
The maximum number of lunatics confined during any one night was on the night of the 19th January 1923, viz.:—
Admissions cured ...
Admissions died ...
Males.
14
6
Females.
4
1
Total.
18
7
Males ...
Females ...
Total
179
41
220
8.43
725.82
745.70
697.51
233.25
221.76
219.78
959.07
967.46
917.29
94.35
100.50
82.53
31.12
24.77
21.77
125.47
125.27
104.30
19.15
16.49
14.62
14.15
15.33
14.11
17.93
16.23
14.49
9.09
9.92
8.03
9.86
3.61
11.83
9.27
8.48
8.94
16.92
17.58
12.22
15.78
54.16
10.67
16.66
12.79
12.17
9.44
4.42
7.41
13.15
1.58
6.67
10.30
1.90
7.22
3
8
STATEMENTS OF THE MENTAL HOSPITALS
STATEMENT No. I-A.
Statement showing cases admitted for observation into the Mental Hospitals during the year 1923 and
the Provincial totals for the two previous years.
Name of Hospital.
Madras
...
...
Calicut ... ...
Waltair ...
...
Total for
Total for
Total for
Year.
1923
1923
1923
1923
1922
1921
Remained on 1st
January.
3
...
...
3
1
2
Admitted.
72
56
...
128
159
131
Re-admitted.
...
25
...
25
17
14
Certified
and
admitted into
Hospital.
67
75
...
142
161
140
Certified
and
released under
section 14, Act
IV of 1912.
...
...
...
...
1
1
Released as un-
certifiable.
3
4
...
7
12
5
Died.
2
...
...
2
...
...
Remaining on
31st December.
3
2
...
5
3
1
Remarks.
STATEMENTS OF THE MENTAL
HOSPITALS
9
STATEMENT No. II.
Return of Criminal Lunatics in the Mental Hospitals of the Madras Presidency for the year 1923 and the Provincial totals for the two previous years.
1
years.
2
Remained at the
beginning of the
year.
Males.
Females.
Total.
3
Admitted.
Males.
Females.
Total.
4
Re-admitted.
Males.
Females.
Total.
5
Total.
Males.
Females.
Total.
6
Discharged,
transferred,
etc.
Males.
Females.
Total.
7
Died.
Males.
Females.
Total.
8
Remaining at
the end of the
year.
Males.
Females.
Total.
9
Daily average
strength.
Males.
Females.
Total.
MADRAS.
1923
...
...
...
1922
...
...
...
1921
...
...
...
157
146
188
10
10
15
167
156
153
34
45
34
3
4
1
37
49
35
...
1
1
...
...
...
...
1
1
191
192
173
13
14
16
204
206
189
27
21
18
4
4
4
31
25
22
16
14
9
...
...
2
16
14
11
148
157
146
9
10
10
157
167
156
148.53
150.48
136.82
9.08
10.97
10.43
157.61
161.45
147.25
WALTAIR.
1923 ...
...
...
1922 ... ... ...
1921 ... ... ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
CALICUT.
1923 ... ...
...
1922 ...
...
...
1921 ...
...
...
Grand Total for 1923.
Grand Total for 1922.
Grand Total for 1921.
...
...
...
157
146
138
...
...
...
10
10
15
...
...
...
167
156
153
...
...
...
34
45
34
...
...
...
3
4
1
...
...
...
37
49
35
...
...
...
...
1
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
1
...
...
...
191
192
173
...
...
...
13
14
16
...
...
...
204
206
189
...
...
...
27
21
18
...
...
...
4
4
4
...
...
...
31
25
22
...
...
...
16
14
9
...
...
...
...
...
2
...
...
...
16
14
11
...
...
...
148
157
146
...
...
...
9
10
10
...
...
...
157
167
156
...
...
...
148.53
150.48
136.82
...
...
...
9.08
10.97
10.43
...
...
...
157.61
161.45
147.25
STATEMENTS OF THE MENTAL
HOSPITALS
13
STATEMENT No. V.
Return showing the Ages of Patients admitted into the Mental Hospitals in the Madras Presidency
during the year 1923 and the Provincial totals for the two previous years.
1
Name of Mental
Hospital.
Madras
...
Waltair ...
Calicut ...
C.
V.
C.
V.
C.
V.
Total for 1923 ...
Total for 1922 ...
Total for 1921 ...
2
Under 20 years.
Males.
14
...
...
...
3
...
17
19
11
Females.
7
...
...
...
...
...
7
6
8
Total.
21
...
...
...
3
...
24
25
19
3
20 to 40.
Males.
117
2
12
...
38
...
169
168
213
Females.
37
...
4
...
11
...
52
49
49
Total.
154
2
16
...
49
...
221
217
262
4
40 to 60.
Males.
31
...
5
...
29
...
65
69
44
Females.
12
...
1
...
2
...
15
17
17
Total.
43
...
6
...
31
...
80
86
61
5
Upwards of 60
years.
Males.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
12
2
Females.
2
...
...
...
...
...
2
1
1
Total.
2
...
...
...
...
...
2
13
3
6
Total.
Males.
162
2
17
...
70
...
251
268
270
Females.
58
...
5
...
13
...
76
73
75
Total.
220
2
22
...
83
...
327
341
345
Note.—Observation cases excluded.
C. = Compulsory.
V. = Voluntary.
18
STATEMENTS OF THE MENTAL HOSPITALS
[ For local circulation only.]
APPENDIX TO STATEMENT No. VI.
(Ordered in G.O. No. 836, Public, dated 28th May 1915.)
Showing the Admissions and Deaths from the Chief Diseases among the Patients in the
Mental Hospitals of the Madras Presidency during the year 1923.
1
Serial number.
1
2
3
2
Mental Hospitals.
Madras
...
...
...
Waltair
...
...
...
Calicut ... ... ...
Total ...
3
A
Cholera.
A.
...
...
...
...
D.
...
...
...
...
B
Dysentery
A.
149
4
27
180
D.
3
1
9
13
C
Malarial
fevers.
A.
5
19
...
24
D.
...
...
...
...
D
Tubercle of
the lungs,
tuberculosis
phthisis and
hæmoptysis
due to
tubercle.
A.
44
...
4
48
D.
23
...
1
24
E
Anæmia
and
debility.
A.
37
...
...
37
D.
...
...
...
...
F
All other
general
diseases.
A.
116
...
9
125
D.
...
...
...
...
G
Disease
of the
nervous
system.
A.
197
...
...
197
D.
14
...
...
14
H
Other
respira-
tory
diseases.
A.
18
6
1
25
D.
...
...
...
...
I
Diar-
rhœa.
A.
77
1
...
78
D.
9
...
...
9
J
Diseases
of the
connec-
tive tissue.
A.
44
...
...
44
D.
...
...
...
...
K
Disease
of the
circula-
tory
system
A.
16
...
...
16
D.
8
...
...
8
Serial
number.
1
2
3
Mental Hospitals.
Madras
...
...
...
Waltair ... ... ...
Calicut ... ... ...
Total ...
3—cont.
L
Digestive
diseases
A.
174
...
...
174
D.
94
...
...
4
M
All other
causes.
A.
268
19
34
321
D.
4
5
8
17
N
Abscesses
and
ulcers of
all kinds.
A.
...
3
3
6
D.
...
...
...
...
O
Total.
A.
1,145
52
78
1,275
D.
65
6
18
89
4
Ratio of admissions and of deaths per mille of average strength from
Cholera.
A.
...
...
...
...
D.
...
...
...
...
Dysentery.
A.
227.83
42.56
127.91
398.30
D.
4.74
10.64
42.64
58.02
Malarial
fever.
A.
7.65
...
...
7.65
D.
...
...
...
Diarrhœa.
A.
11.77
...
...
11.77
D.
13.76
...
...
13.76
All other
causes.
A.
1,750.74
202.17
369.53
2,322.44
D.
99.39
52.20
85.28
236.87
Daily
average
strength.
654.0
93.9
211.1
959.0
24
STATEMENTS OF THE MENTAL HOSPITALS
STATEMENT No. X.
Showing Receipts and Expenditure on account of Manufactures in the Mental Hospitals during the year 1923 and Provincial totals for the two previous years.
1
Asylums.
Madras
...
...
...
...
Waltair ... ... ... ...
Calicut
...
...
...
...
Total for 1923 ...
Total for 1922 ...
Total for 1921 ...
2
Mean population.
Males.
478.40
77.59
169.83
725.82
745.70
697.51
Females.
175.61
16.39
41.25
233.25
221.76
219.78
Total.
654.01
93.98
211.08
959.07
967.46
917.29
3
4
5
6
7
8
Credits.
Cash paid into
Treasury for articles
sold.
RS.
(a) 1,368
(b) 269
(c) 2,833
4,471
4,811
5,495
A.
6
1
11
2
6
15
P.
2
9
0
11
10
5
Value of
manufactured goods
made over to
Asylum for Asylum
purposes.
RS.
7,130
1,499
2,155
10,784
14,083
14,239
A.
2
6
5
13
3
1
P.
4
3
1
8
10
8
Value of raw
materials in store
at the end of
the year.
RS.
661
211
466
1,339
2,081
1,192
A.
5
9
0
0
7
15
P.
10
8
7
1
3
11
Value of
manufactured
goods in store at the
end of the year.
RS.
1,906
353
1,364
3,624
3,997
5,240
A.
15
3
7
10
15
3
P.
9
2
11
10
1
1
Value of plant
and machinery in
store at the
end of the year.
RS.
345
977
297
1,620
1,416
2,406
A.
0
8
11
3
14
7
P.
0
0
6
6
2
11
Total credits.
RS.
11,411
3,310
7,117
21,839
26,390
28,574
A.
14
12
4
15
15
12
P.
1
10
1
0
2
0
Asylums—cont.
Madras ... ... ... ...
Waltair
... ... ... ...
Calicut
...
...
...
...
Total for 1923 ...
Total for 1922 ...
Total for 1921 ...
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Debits.
Value of
manufactured
goods in store
on 1st January
1922.
RS.
1,729
547
1,720
3,997
5,240
4,841
A.
11
15
4
15
3
8
P.
2
6
6
1
1
6
Value of
raw materials
in store on
1st January
1922.
.
1,055
501
524
2,081
1,192
1,238
A.
9
8
5
7
15
11
P.
10
4
1
3
11
3
Value of
plant and
machinery in
store on
1st January 1922.
RS.
345
1,758
313
2,416
2,406
2,175
A.
0
8
6
14
7
15
P.
0
0
2
2
11
6
Raw materials
purchased.
RS.
2,069
35
1,816
3,921
7,361
7,846
A.
8
0
15
7
15
2
P.
0
0
0
0
9
0
Contingencies of
manufacture.
RS.
70
A.
8
P.
0
......
......
70
221
1,151
8
11
9
0
5
9
Other charges.
......
......
......
......
......
......
Total debits.
RS.
5,270
2,842
4,374
12,488
16,423
17,253
A.
5
15
14
3
6
15
P.
0
9
9
6
1
0
Excess of
credits or
profits.
RS.
6,141
467
2,742
9,351
9,967
11,320
A.
9
13
5
11
9
13
P.
1
1
4
6
0
0
Excess
of debits or
loss.
......
......
......
......
......
......
18
Remarks.
Note.—Observation cases excluded.
(a)
Sale of manufactured goods
...
...
...
Do. garden produce
...
...
...
...
Do.
dholl, husk, etc.
...
...
...
...
Total ...
RS.
56
1,307
4
1,368
A.
7
10
3
6
P.
11
9
6
2
(c) Manufactured goods sold to public
...
...
Garden produce
„
„
...
...
Milk „ „ ... ...
Live-stock
„
„ ... ...
Total ...
RS.
25
209
30
4
269
A.
2
1
13
0
1
P.
9
10
2
0
9
(e)
Sale of manufactured goods
...
...
...
Do. garden produce
...
...
...
...
Total ...
RS.
2,085
748
2,833
A.
3
8
11
P.
0
0
0
Government of Madras
LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT (PUBLIC HEALTH) DEPARTMENT.
G.O. No. 1122, 5th August 1924
Mental Hospitals
Triennial report for 1921—23—recorded with remarks.
READ—the following :—
Letter from Major-Genl. T. H. SYMONS, O.B.E., I.M.S., Surgeon-General with
the Government of Madras, to the Secretary to the Government of Madras,
Local Self-Government (Public Health) Department, dated 14th April and
14th May 1924, No. Nil.
Order—No. 1122, dated 5th August 1924.
Recorded.
2. The total accommodation in the three mental hospitals rose during the
triennium from 1,038 to 1,082, the increase of 44 having taken place in the Calicut
Mental Hospital. Additional rooms are under construction at Waltair, while the
construction of twenty single rooms for Indian civil males in the Madras Mental
Hospital has been recently sanctioned. The demand for accommodation is likely
to increase in future in view of the present policy of adopting the latest scientific
methods of dealing with mental patients.
3. The total number of patients dealt with in the hospitals has been con-
tinually on the increase, although in 1923 the number of admissions as well as the
daily average strength were slightly lower than in the previous year.
4. It is satisfactory to note that there was no outbreak of any epidemic
during the triennium. The apparent increase in the sick rate is evidently due to
the fact that sick patients are now admitted into hospital in the early stages of their
illness in order that they may be under immediate medical observation. This is
more satisfactory than treating them in their sections. The death-rate showed a
welcome decline from 13.7 to 8.9 per cent of the average strength. Pulmonary
Tuberculosis as usual accounted for the largest number of deaths ; mental patients
are particularly liable to contract this disease on account of their generally
indifferent health at the time of admission as most of them are found wandering
in the streets in a more or less starved condition just before admission. The
Surgeon-General has been requested to depute one of the medical officers in the
Madras Mental Hospital to the Tuberculosis Hospital for special training in the
treatment of this disease.
5. The results of treatment of mental patients show steady improvement,
the percentage of cures having risen gradually from 14.42 in 1920 to 17.93 in
1923. As stated in the last year's review, a reformation is gradually taking place
2
G.O. No. 11—2, 5TH AUGUST 1924
in the method of dealing with mental patients. The assistant surgeon deputed
to England last year for special training in mental diseases is also due to return
shortly. Much better results may therefore be expected in future years.
6. There was a considerable increase of expenditure especially in the Mental
Hospital at Madras in the years 1920, 1921 and 1922, and a much needed
retrenchment was effected in 1923 by the efforts of the Superintendent of the
Hospital.
7. The Surgeon-General is requested to address the Government separately
regarding the alleged nuisance caused to the patients of the Madras Mental
Hospital by the existence of the village adjoining the institution. His attention is
in this connexion invited to the correspondence ending with G.O. No. 449, Medl.,
dated 2nd November 1917.
(By order of Government, Ministry of Local Self-Government)
P. L. MOORE,
Secretary to Government.
To the Surgeon-General.
„ District Magistrate, Malabar.
„ District Magistrate, Vizagapatam.
„ Government of India, Home Department (with C.L.).
„ Secretary and Librarian, School of Economics and
Sociology, University of Bombay.
Editors' Table.
AGENTS FOR THE SALE OF MADRAS GOVERNMENT
PUBLICATIONS.
IN INDIA.
BUTTERWORTH & Co. (LTD.), 6, Hastings Street, Calcutta.
R. CAMBRAY & Co., Calcutta.
E. M. GOPALAKRISHNA KONE, Pudumantapam, Madura.
HARTLEYS, Mount Road, Madras.
HIGGINBOTHAMS (LTD.), Mount Road, Madras.
V. KALYANARAMA IYER & Co., Esplanade, Madras.
G. C. LOGANADHAM BROTHERS, Madras.
S. MURTHY & Co., Madras.
G. A. NATESAN & Co., Madras.
The Superintendent, NAZAIR KANUN HIND PRESS, Allahabad.
NIVASARKAR, Manager, " Hitawada," Nagpur.
P. R. RAMA IYER & Co., Madras.
RAMAKRISHNA & SONS, Lahore.
R. SUNDER PANDURANG, Kalbadevi Road, Bombay.
D. B. TARAPOREVALA SONS & Co., Bombay.
THACKER & Co. (LTD.), Bombay.
THACKER, SPINK & Co., 3, Esplanade East, Calcutta.
.
S. VAS & Co., Madras.
S.P.C.K. PRESS, Vepery. Madras.
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
B. H. BLACKWELL, 50 and 51, Broad Street, Oxford.
CONSTABLE & Co., 10, Orange Street, Leicester Square, London, W.C.
DEIGHTON, BELL & Co. (LTD.), Cambridge.
EAST AND WEST (LTD.), 3, Victoria Street, London, S.W. 1.
T. FISHER UNWIN (LTD.), 1, Adelphi Terrace, London, W.C.
GRINDLAY & Co., 54, Parliament Street, London, S.W.
KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & Co. (LTD.), 68—74, Carter Lane, London, E.C.
and 39, New Oxford Street, London, W.C.
HENRY S. KING & Co., 65, Cornhill, London, E.C.
P. S. KING & SON, 2 and 4, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London, S.W.
LUZAC & Co., 46, Great Russell Street, London, W.C.
B. QUARITCH, 11, Grafton Street, New Bond Street, London,
W. THACKER & Co., 2, Creed Lane, London, E.C.
OLIVER AND BOYD, Tweeddale Court, Edinburgh.
E. PONSONBY (LTD.), 116, Grafton Street, Dublin.
WHELDON AND WESLEY (LTD.), 2, 3 and 4, Arthur Street, New Oxford Street,
London, W.C. 2.
ON THE CONTINENT
ERNEST LEROUX, 28, Rue Bonaparte, Paris.
FRIEDLANDER AND SOHN, Berlin.
MARTINUS NIJHOFF, The Hague, Holland.
OTTO HARBASSOWITZ, Leipzig.
ANNUAL REPORT
ON THE WORKING OF THE
MENTAL HOSPITALS
IN THE
MADRAS PRESIDENCY
FOR THE YEAR 1924
MADRAS
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRESS.
PRICE , 6 annas. ] 1925
ANNUAL REPORT
ON THE WORKING OF THE
MENTAL HOSPITALS
IN THE
MADRAS PRESIDENCY
FOR THE YEAR 1924
READ—the following paper : —
Letter from Major-Genl. T. H. SYMONS, O.B.E., K.H.S., I.M.S., Surgeon-General with the
Government of Madras, to the Secretary to Government, Local Self-Government (Public
Health) Department, dated the 7th May 1925, R. No. 774-G. of 1925.
I have the honour to submit, for the information of Government, the
Annual Report on the working of the Mental Hospitals in the Madras
Presidency during the year 1924.
2. Population.—The total population of the three mental hospitals
was 1,295, i.e., one less than in the previous year. The number of patients
admitted into the hospitals was 983 males and 312 females, among
whom two were voluntary boarders. The number of patients remaining
at the commencement of the year in all the three hospitals was 726 males
and 232 females as against 739 males and 227 females in 1923. The
number of patients admitted and re-admitted was 257 males (including
3 observation cases) and 80 females. Of the total treated, 149 were
discharged as " cured," 47 as " improved " and 13 as " not improved "
while 29 were discharged as " otherwise." Three patients escaped from
the Mental Hospital, Calicut, of whom one was re-captured and two are
still at large.
Of the 334 admissions and re-admissions, 25 were Europeans and
Anglo-Indians, 35 were Indian Christians, 208 were Hindus, 57 were
Muhammadans and 9 were of other castes.
3. Age and previous occupation of the inmates.—Twenty-one inmates
were under 20 years, 225 were of an age between 20 and 40 years, 85 were
between 40 and 60 years and 3 were upwards of 60 years. General
labourers furnished the largest number of admissions, viz., 54 as against
51 in the previous year, and these were followed by cultivating tenants.
4. Causes of insanity.—The chief causes of insanity are mental stress,
heredity, toxic and infective diseases, mental instability, diseases due to
disorders of nutrition or metabolism, and diseases of the nervous system.
In three cases the causes of insanity could not be ascertained owing to
insufficient history.
5. Types of insanity.—The principal types of insanity treated were
idiocy 37, imbecility 25, mania 394, melancholia 160, circular or alter-
nating insanity 84, delusional insanity 102, insanity due to Cannabis
indica 111 and dementia 180.
6. Criminal insanes.—On 1st January 1924 there were 157 criminal
insanes (148 males and 9 females) in confinement. During the year 33
were admitted. The total number of criminal insanes confined in 1924
was 190 and the daily average strength was 145.17 as against 157.61
in 1923.
7. Death.—During the year under report the mortality was high.
There were 107 deaths as compared with 89 in the previous year. The
chief causes were tubercle of the lungs, dysentery, diseases of the nervous
system and cholera. Other diseases also proved fatal.
MENTAL HOSPITALS IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY
3
16. Finance.—The total receipts including those from the paying
patients amounted to Rs. 3,55,079-12-6 against Rs. 3,81,415-0-11 in 1923.
The receipts from paying patients, viz., Rs. 28,206-15-7, show a fall as
compared with the figure for the previous year, viz., Rs. 32,078-13-7.
The value of stores received from the manufacturing departments, less
cost of raw materials, was Rs. 10,965-2-0.
The expenditure under establishment proper shows an increase in the
Mental Hospitals at Madras and Calicut, and the increase was due to the
payment of leave salary to certain members of the staff and entertain-
ment of substitutes in their places and also to the grant of increased rates
of special pay revised under G.O. No. 351 P.H., dated 29th February 1924.
The increase under diet was chiefly due to rise in the prices of some of the
articles. The expenditure under diet in the Mental Hospital, Madras,
shows a remarkable increase, the reason being the introduction of
improved scales of dietary in pursuance of G.O. No. 805 P.H., dated 27th
May 1924. Careful scrutiny is now being exercised with a view to keeping
the average cost of diet per head per diem within the limits prescribed.
17. General administration.—Dr. H. S. Hensman, L.M.S. (Madras),
M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., M P.C., who was specially deputed to England to
undergo training in the treatment of mental diseases, returned and
took charge of the Mental Hospital at Madras on 16th September 1924.
The Mental Hospitals at Waltair and Calicut were under the charge of
Lieut.-Col. M. N. Chaudhuri, I.M.S., and Dr. M. L. Kamath, B.A., M.D.,
Lieut.-Col. A. Chalmers, I.M.S., and Major A. P. G. Lorimer, I.M.S.,
respectively.
18. Visitors.—During the year, the official and non-official visitors
inspected the various hospitals. The Mental Hospital, Madras, was
visited by the Surgeon-General and the Inspector-General of Prisons.
The Hospital at Calicut was visited by His Excellency Viscount Goschen,
the Surgeon-General and the Inspector-General of Prisons, while that at
Waltair was visited by the Inspector-General of Prisons.
19. The service books were verified and found correct. The inventory
of stores was carried out periodically and the stock was efficiently
maintained.
20. General remarks.—The question of the construction of up-to-date
mental hospitals has already been referred to in my previous report. As
regards establishment there is urgent need for an increase in the staff of
the Mental Hospital, Madras, by a linen clerk and a weaving master.