( 18 )
Sex of lunatics.
11. Fifty-nine of the lunatics admitted and re-admit-
ted were males, and only 6 were females; all of whom
were Muhammadans.
Types of insanity.
12. The types of insanity in the 140 lunatics who
formed the population of the asylum during the year were
as follows:—
Acute mania 40, chronic mania 31, melancholia 4, acute dementia 24, paralysis of the
insane 1, idiotcy 8, monomania 1. The case of paralysis of the insane is the only one of that
peculiar form of insanity which has been seen in this Asylum for the past 3 years, although it
is so common in Europe.
" Wolf child. "
13. The so-called " wolf child,'' mentioned in my last report, and who had apparently
then fallen into a more abject state than ever from repeated
epileptic fits, soon afterwards began to improve; she was
temporarily at least cured of her epilepsy, and with returning health she became lively and
playful. She came to understand some things that were said to her, but never attempted to
speak. She was transferred to the Secundra Orphanage, Agra, in June last, the Principal of
that institution having kindly offered to take charge of her. In reply to recent inquiries
regarding her, I was informed that she has had no return of the epileptic fits, that she enjoys
a game at ball with the lady in charge, but does not take to the other children in the institution.
The pleasure she takes in play is stated to be the only gleam of intelligence she has given.
General management.
14. The management of the lunatics continues much the same as before, the only differ-
ence being that they have been kept more fully employed.
Restraint has been seldom resorted to, and, when necessary,
nothing more has been done than to lock up a refractory lunatic for a few hours, or at most
days, in a solitary cell until he has quieted down. Visitors have expressed surprise at finding
so much order kept among so many lunatics with perhaps not one of them under restraint.
The restrictions laid down by the Government of India regarding admission of lunatics
into asylums have been carried out as far as possible, and the numbers have been still further
kept down by making it a rule to offer no obstacle to the removal of lunatics by their friends
if they were thought fit to be so made over. In such cases it has also been the custom, on
finding out the residence of lunatics, to communicate with their relatives by letter, inviting
them to come and take charge of them.
In a few instances where it was supposed that the relatives of lunatics were able to pay
for their maintenance in the asylum, efforts were made to recover the cost from them ; but the
only money actually realized from this source was a sum of Rs. 46-7-9 paid by the Commis-
sioner of Ajmere on account of 5 lunatics sent by his orders to this asylum. The orders
contained in Punjab Government, Financial Department Circular No. 36-1595, dated 17th August
1875, have been carried out, and the charges for maintenance of lunatics against the district
or municipality to which they belonged have been submitted to the Accountant-General,
Punjab, for adjustment.
Cost per head.
15. The cost per head of the lunatics has been Rs. 90-5-5 ; or a little more than
last year.
Manufactures.
16. Manufactures have been steadily carried on throughout the year. Many different
kinds of these have been attempted with the object of
finding out what kinds were most suitable for the lunatics,
and at the same time most remunerative. Pottery was tried but failed ; basket-making proved
more successful; making twine from " munj " and " sanni" fibre has afforded useful occupa-
tion for a large number ; and towards the end of the year an English loom was purchased,
but as yet little progress has been made in working it. Grinding wheat is the only industry
from which a good return is obtained.
The profits for the past year as shown by the excess of credits over debits amount to
Rs. 164-4-0.
Establishment.
17. Owing to the large increase of lunatics it became neccssary in September last to
apply to Government for a considerable increase to the num-
ber of warders, which was sanctioned. These now consist
of—
1
2
3
3
3
Head warder on Rs.
First class warders on „
Second „
„
„
Third „
„
„
Fourth „
„
„
15
8
7
6
5
per mensem.
each ditto.
„ ditto.
„ ditto.
„ ditto .
The prospect of promotion which this division into classes affords ought to secure a better
kind of men than has hitherto applied for service.
Together with the increase of warders a native doctor was at the same time applied for,
and was sanctioned. Hitherto no native doctor has been attached to this asylum ; but the
number of lunatics now confined in it and the prospect of a still greater increase, now that the
Lahore Asylum is reported full, rendered it imperative that one should be posted to it.
Mr. Cousins continues as overseer, and his wife as matron. The health of the lunatics
during the year and their general appearance reflect credit on their management; but there are
many things connected with the working of the asylum which might be better attended to.