( 15 )
No. 7.—Ages. From twenty to forty years of age has been the average of by far the
greatest number of admissions during the past four years.
No. 8 is the Mortality Table, and shows a slightly increased rate, because both actual and
average strength have been less in 1870 than in previous years.
The lunatics have enjoyed, fortunately for me, very good health, and this is in striking
contrast with the history of the Dehli Jail for 1870. In the autumn there was a touch of
marsh fever, and almost for the first time in the course of the year did I find the necessity
of the hospital. Some strong quinine solution and extra coverings for the cold stage were
the chief remedies.
Three of the four fatal cases had been in the asylum less than two months. One was a
woman who died in a fit of epilepsy after a succession of most violent seizures; another
died of starvation in spite of adopting the plan of feeding by the nostril; a third died from
remittent fever, or rather aggravated intermittent.
" Sundul Khan" was the only old lunatic lost by disease, added on, as it were, to the
disorder of his brain.
No. 9 is a sort of Financial Statement showing the total expenditure, and, compared with
previous years, there has been a reduction under all heads but establishment. Native Doctor
Karamat Ali has charge, on Rs. 10 per month, and I receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 150
for superintendence, which does not appear upon the statement.
The diet has been liberal. Good, well-ground wheaten flour chupatties, fit for any break-
fast, four each,—three in the morning and one in the evening,—together with dhall and
vegetables four times a week, and a stew of meat and vegetables three times a week.
Luxuries in the way of sweetmeats and fruit and the remains of public suppers have
been constantly given in my own presence and by my own hands.
Against the cost of supporting an expensive institution like the asylum, I should here
mention the subject of employment.
As in previous years, the lunatics have been largely
employed ; but I can show no list of trades yielding profit. Every lunatic whose mental con-
dition permits is employed every day except Sundays on some light duty, which is enforced
if anything like a tendency to idleness is shewn. I am a decided advocate for the disciplinal
value of treatment by occupation of mind and body for the insane.
We have always had assistance from the labor of the lunatics, or they would have fared
badly, and there would be little tidiness and order without their assistance.
It is not likely that one mother or one bheestie borne on the establishment could meet
the requirements of a large asylum with separate barracks, numerous flower-gardens and many
troublesome patients.
We have always had weeding, leeping, water-carrying, and general labor carried on by
the lunatics themselves.
The estimated statement of the value of labor performed by the lunatics in 1870 I shall
here submit:—
Water carrying at 0-1-6 per day ...
Cook at 0-1-0 per day ...
Garden coolies at 0-1-0 per day per lunatic ...
Leeping barracks at 0-1-0 per day per lunatic ...
General clearance and coolee labor at 0-1-0 per day ...
Repairing of barracks at 0-1-6 per day ...
Grand Total ...
Rs.
45
27
108
120
66
35
405
Ans.
12
12
12
8
10
14
4
P.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Vegetables have been supplied to the lunatics from the garden during nine months
out of the twelve, and their value may bo assigned as equal to Rs. 38.
Ban moonj string has been the only manufacture, and the cost of the raw material is
scarcely met by the value of the manufactured article.
Lastly must be included the value of a crop of Indian corn grown in the garden, equal
in value to Us. 13-0-4, which was given to the lunatics.
The total value of labor and its produce may fairly bo estimated as equal to Us. 457-5-4.
Statement 10 refers to Criminal Lunatics. Two only were admitted during this year: one
a faqueer who wanders into a shop; and the other became wild and excited, and in his frenzy
assaulted some by-standers.
General Manargement.—I have little that is new to write on this subject. The lunatics
have kept almost the whole of the large melas held in Delhi. I borrowed the Municipal
carts and sent them in a grand procession, all dressed in their best. They went to the Ram
Lola and to the Dewallee in my presence, and it was delightful to see the sympathy they met
with from the passers-by.
Not a single mishap occurred. The greatest attention has been paid to the cleanliness of
their persons and their clothing.
They have assisted in the planting of trees. We have a double avenue, one at right
angles to the other, leading to the entrance, and in all the compounds they have been dotted
about and all are flourishing.