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been under treatment for the past five years. This man is perfectly sane in all points except
one, viz., his own excessive rank and importance ; he considers that he is an incarnation
of the deity, and that every thing must bend to his will and dictates; the greater part
of his time was spent in comtemplating his own features in the looking glass; but, though
always violent when opposed, had never before committed any actual assault;—as a rule
he may be said to have a kind disposition, as evinced in his attention to the sick,—and his
great boast was that he had cured some of the patients after they had been given up by
the Native Doctor and myself,— and also in his love for animals. I had permitted this man
to keep a dog ; unfortunately a litter of pups were born, and on their growing up they
became such a nuisance that I was obliged to order their being disposed off; this was an
offence not to be forgiven, and after evidently brooding over it, he persuaded a lunatic
named Guggur Sing to join him in attacking the keepers. Keetapai was heard to say, " Oh
we are lunatics, we can do what we like and kill them all, and nothing will be done to
us." Unfortunately chance favored their design. A Bhistee of the Asylum, contrary to the
strictest orders, having brought two large bamboos into his house, these were intended
for the sides of a Charpoy; but they proved formidable weapons in the hand of a lunatic.
Keetapai, though confined in the criminal ward, was allowed to walk and sit in the garden,
and under this excuse obtained possession of the bamboos, which he managed to
secrete away unobserved into the Criminal ward; he immediately gave one of them
to Guggur Sing, and they simultaneously attacked the Warder at the Criminal gate,
knocked him down, and rushed into the garden, attacking every keeper that attempted
to oppose them; unfortunately there was a lunatic named Phummon working with a
"phowrah" in the garden, who suddenly became excited by the out-break and joined in
the attack ; but the other lunatics took no part except some by shouting and making a
noise, while others attempted to save the keepers. The first keeper they met was killed
near the entrance of the Criminal ward by a fearful blow on the head, they then rushed
towards the outer gate, when they were met by another Burkundaz, who they also
killed. On hearing the disturbance, Mr. Wilson, the Deputy Superintendent, who was
in his house, rushed into the Asylum to see what was the matter ; they met him at
the gate, and he received some severe blows on the head, but was eventually rescued by
the servants and one of the lunatics.
Phummon and Guggur escaped from the Asylum, but were soon re-captured. On
hearing of the catastrophy, I proceeded at once to the Asylum; the Police had assembled
in force ; the excited and violent lunatics were at once confined in the cells and
order restored. By order of the Commissioner, the ringleaders, Keetapai, Guggur Sing,
and Phummon were transferred to the Central Jail for greater security. A strict investiga-
tion took place, and Keetapai, Guggur Sing, and Phummon were tried for murder; but
acquitted on the grounds of insanity, and ordered to be kept in confinement during Her
Majesty's pleasure. This is one of those unfortunate occurrences that all Lunatic
Asylums are exposed to, notwithstanding the greatest precaution; the affair was so sudden
and unprovoked that the keepers had no time to combine against their assailants.
I can only state that it is the first and only out-break of a serious character that has
ever taken place in the Asylum since it has been under my charge (a period of 15 years),
and that the utmost vigilance and precautions are taken to prevent the possibility of a
recurrence.
Mortality.
The total number of casualties that have taken place during the year is 56, or
14.80 per cent. on the actual strength. This is an improvement
on the last year ; the mortality, (owing to Cholera) amounted
to 20.39 per cent. One death was caused by accident,—a quantity of earth having fallen
on a lunatic engaged in getting dry earth for conservancy purposes.
Relative proportion of
Hindoos and Mussulmen.
The relative proportions of Hindoos and Mhussulmen
have continued very nearly equal.
Cost of
lunatics.
The cost of each lunatic has been as follows. Per man
per annum Rs. 73-3-5 ; per mensem, 6-1-7; per diem 0-3-3. This
is an increase to the previous year, but this is fully accounted for by the increased cost