Resolution on the Report of the Tezpur Lunatic Asylum for the
year 1895.
Extract from the Proceedings ofth Chief Commissioner of Assam, in the Judicial
Branch, No. 1262 J. t dated Shillong, the \\th April 1896.
READ—
Letter No. 14T., dated the 1st February 1896, from the Principal Medical Officer and
Sanitary Commissioner, Assam, to the Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam, for-
warding the Annual Report of the Tezpur Lunatic Asylum for the year 1895.
RESOLUTION.
There were 105 inmates, 83 males and 22 females, in the asylum at the begin-
ning of the year. Thirty-seven new patients were admitted in 1895, of whom 5 were
females; two old patients were re-admitted during the year. Twenty-six inmates, 23
males and 3 females, were discharged, of whom 21 were cured ; the remaining 5, whose
mental condition had improved during their detention, were made over to their friends.
There were 7 deaths and no escapes, against 28 deaths and 3 escapes in 1894. The
number of inmates in the asylum at the close of the year was 111 — 8y males and 22
females, and of the total number, 22 males and 1 female were criminal lunatics. The
daily average number in the asylum during the year was 106, the same as in the previous
year. Of the inmates remaining at the end of the year, 52 were natives of the province
and 59 belonged to the immigrant classes.
2. A prominent feature of the report is the small death-rate; the percentage of
deaths to average strength was 6*59, against 26*44 in x^9 4 ana^ ai1 average of 11*63
for the previous ten years. The improvement in this respect may perhaps be partly
attributed to the remedial measures which were introduced consequent on the special
enquiry made last year into the causes of mortality in the asylum {vide paragraph 2 of the
Resolution on the Report for 1894). The appointment of a Hospital Assistant in place
of a non-qualified overseer has probably also contributed to the better results, as this
officer combines the duties of overseer and medical attendant. Discipline was main-
tained, and there were no escapes. The reduction in the cost of maintenance per head
of average strength is deserving of notice, the cost having fallen from Rs. 96-13-2
per lunatic in 1894 to Rs. 93-8-3 in 1895. The Chief Commissioner is glad to
learn from the last paragraph of the report that efforts were made to provide employ-
ment for the lunatics under shelter. The Superintendent has pointed out the difficulty
of so employing lunatics without putting dangerous implements into their hands, but
the Chief Commissioner trusts that the matter will continue to receive his attention.
3. The asylum was inspected by the Principal Medical Officer and Sanitary Com-
missioner on the 25th July 1895, and the result of his inspection is recorded in a note
which has been printed with the report. The Surgeon-General with the Government of
India also visited the asylum shortly after the close of the year, and recorded his
opinion that the inmates were in good physical health, and appeared to be well
nourished.
4. Surgeon-Major Macnamara was Superintendent of the asylum throughout the
year, and the Chief Commissioner is well satisfied with the manner in which he dis-
charged his duties.
By order of the Chief Commissioner of Assam,
E. A. GAIT,
Ojfg % Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam.
A. S. P. O. (Judl.)-No 1—120— 15.4-96.