Notes on the annual statistics relating to the Lunatic Asylums in
the United Provinces for the year 1916.
MAJOR O' MEARA, I.M.S., Civil Surgeon of Agra, held charge of the
Agra Asylum as an additional charge. At Bareilly Lieutenant-Colonel Wood-
wright, I.M.S., also held charge throughout the year, but at Benares there
were three changes of Superintendents, viz. Lieutenant-Colonel Morwood, I.M.S.,
Lieutenant-Colonel Hulbert, I.M.S. and Lieutenant-Colonel Crawford, I.M.S.
2. At the commencement of the year 1,402 lunatics were on the rolls of
the three institutions against 1,326 on the 1st January, 1915. The admissions
during 1916 numbered the same as in the previous year, namely 431, but the
total number passing through the asylums increased from 1,757 to 1,833. The
number of admissions during 1915 and 1916 was the highest recorded during
the last six years. The total population has steadily risen from 1,467 in 1911
to 1,833 in 1916. This increase, as Colonel Manifold remarked in last triennial
report, was to be expected as the result of the issuing of the new Lunacy Act.
3. The daily average strength in the three asylums increased from 1,369.37
in 1915 to 1419.47 in 1916 and the number discharged from 215 to 290. It is
satisfactory to note that, although the total population increased by 76 and the
daily average strength by 50, the daily average sick decreased by 24 (175 against
199), the deaths by 48 (92 against 140) and the number cured increased by 29
(173 against 144). This is a gratifying record.
4. The average death rate for the three asylums during 1916 was 7.23 per
cent. against 11.21 per cent. in the previous year. The death rate for 1916 is
the lowest on record since 1911. The number of deaths decreased at Bareilly
from 32 to 23, at Benares from 62 to 34 and at Agra from 46 to 35.
Of the 23 lunatics who died at Bareilly 6 were in bad, 5 in very bad, 2 in
indifferent, 6 in fair and 4 in good health on admission to the asylum. One had
been in the asylum over forty years, 1 over twenty years, 1 over ten years, and 5
over five years. Of those who died 2 were over sixty years of age, 6 between forty
and sixty years and 14 between twenty and forty years. Phthisis accounted for
7 deaths and 1 was due to accidental drowning. The general health of the
institution was good.
Of the 34 patients who died at Benares 10 were in bad, 2 in very bad, 13 in
indifferent, 3 in fair and 6 in good health on admission. Two had been in the
asylum over twenty-five years, 1 over twenty years, 2 over fifteen years, 1 over ten
years and 4 over five years. Five were over sixty years of age, 8 between forty and
sixty years and 20 between twenty and forty years. Seven died of dysentery, 6
of Brights disease, 5 of debility and 4 each from epilepsy, maniacal excitement
and old age. One was a case of suicide.
Of the 35 lunatics who died at Agra 12 were in bad, 1 in very bad, 8 in
indifferent, 12 in fair and 2 in good health on admission. One had been in the
asylum over fifteen years, 4 over ten years and 2 over five years. Six died of
phthisis, 6 of old age, 5 of epilepsy and 4 of debility.
There was no overcrowding at Bareilly and Benares. At Agra there was
overcrowding both on the male and female side but suitable arrangements were
made to meet the excess.
5. The number of criminal lunatics confined in the asylums at the com-
mencement of the year was 269, or 4 more than on the 1st January, 1915. The
admissions during the year amounted to 85 as against 86 in 1915 and the total
asylum population of this class was 354 against 351 in the previous year. Of this
number 62 were discharged and 10 died, the number remaining on the rolls at the
close of the year being 282. The number of deaths were 17 less than in the
previous year.
There were 54 European and Eurasian lunatics on the rolls at the commence
ment of the year, of whom 44 were at Agra. The admissions during the year
amounted to 11 (all at Agra). Five were discharged, one was transferred and one
died, the number remaining at the close of the year being 58, of whom 49 were at
Agra.