( 2 )
There are four great wants,—firstly, good baths, especially shower and docile baths ;
secondly, a small work-shed ; thirdly, as suggested by His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor
of the Punjab, accommodation for one European lunatic in case of accidents; lastly, a better
establishment.
New strong iron doors and fastenings are being provided by the Executive Engineer.
On reviewing the statistics of the Lunatic Asylum in Dehli during the past five years,
all previous records have been lost or destroyed, I find that there have been 286 lunatics,—
229 males and 57 females,—admitted. Of the 286 cases three were re-admitted, 2 in the
year 1869 and 1 in the year 1870, making a total of 289 lunatics under treatment.
In
„
„
„
„
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
Total
42
54
64
58
71
289
patients of whom were
„ „
„ „
„ „
„ „
Males.
34
42
52
46
56
230
Females.
8
12
12
12
15
59
The average daily number of patients in the Asylum has been 31.75 during the quin-
quennial period.
Of the 289 cases of lunacy there were 120 cured, or sufficiently improved to be
transferred to friends, giving an average of 41.52 per cent. on total treated.
There were 17 deaths.
During the year 1871 there remained on the 1st January 30 patients under treatment,
41 new ones were admitted, and none were re-admitted, total 71, of whom were males 56;
females 15.
The numbers cured were 2 males and 3 females. There were also 6 men sufficiently
recovered to be transferred to their friends. Thus 30 were released.
There were 4 deaths among the males.
At the end of the year, on the last day of December 1871, there remained in the Asylum
26 males, and 11 females,—total 37.
The daily average strength was 30.72, or nearly 23 males and 7 females.
Sickness from other ailments than the brain disorder was a small figure,—0.86 repre-
senting the daily average sick.
In No. 2 Statement there is a comparison of ratio per cent. of daily average strength of
total treated, and of admissions of the events of 1871 and of the four preceding years. Thus
the ratio per cent. of admissions on daily average strength during 1871 shows an increase
of 41 per cent. on the average of the four preceding years.
The admissions per cent. of total treated during 1871 are 57.74, being an increase of
3.22 in excess of the average of four previous years.
The mortality in 1871 has been 13.33 per cent. on daily average strength, 5.63 per cent.
on total treated, and 9.75 on admissions.
No. 3 Return gives the information that only two criminal lunatics were admitted during
the year,—both were males,—one was unable to plead on account of insanity when placed on
his trial for mutilating his wife's nose ; the other was ordered to be detained on account of
an attempt at serious injury by a drawn sword. Neither case has shown any symptoms of
violence since admission.
No. 4 is a summary of monthly admissions, discharges, deaths, and daily average number
of sick during 1871. September shows the highest number of admissions,—five males and two
females. There were none at all in May,
There is still some unnecessary fastening and hand-cuffing of supposed lunatics when
brought to the Asylum by the Police. I can safely say that there has not been one of the 41
admissions during the year which could not have been safely brought by two able-bodied
policemen.
There is another point, which is that of taking persons into custody on the weakest pos-
sible grounds and delay in giving their histories.
The law requires that facts shall be stated on which to ground the opinion of insanity,
but in many cases sent up to me I have been at an utter loss to know why they were sent.