Notes on the annual statistics relating to the Lunatic Asylums
in the United Provinces for the year 1915.
THE statements have been amended in accordance with the instructions
regarding the classification of observation cases contained in the Government of
India's Endorsement No. 337, dated the 24th April, 1915. The heading of column
14 of statement VI has also been amended in compliance with the orders of the
Government of India, and the word " Indians" has been substituted for " Natives"
in column 4 of statement III.
2. At the commencement of the year 1915 there were 1,326 lunatics in the
three asylums or 48 more than the number at the commencement of the previous
year. The admissions rose from 396 to 431 and the total number passing through
the asylums was thus 1,757. The number of admissions during the past year is
the highest recorded during the last five years. The increase is no doubt largely
due to a better understanding of the real nature of an asylum. The daily average
strength in the three asylums increased from 1311.74 in 1914 to 1369.37 in 1915.
3. The number discharged during the year was 215 against 209 during the
previous year.
4. The daily average number of sick was 199.59 against 166.17 in the
previous year. It is satisfactory to note that although the daily average
population was 58 in excess of that of the previous year, the number of deaths was
practically the same in both years. The number discharged cured was 9(144
against 153) less in 1915.
5. The death rate was 11.21 per cent. against 10.47 in the previous year.
The number of deaths rose from 24 to 32 at Bareilly and from 45 to 62 at Benares,
but decreased from 70 to 46 at Agra.
The increase at Bareilly was due to the low physical condition of many of
the patients on admission, for of the 32 who died, 8 were in bad, 3 in very
bad, 2 in indifferent, 14 in fair, and only 5 in good health on admission to
this asylum. Of those who died 4 were over sixty years of age and 13 between
forty and sixty years. Phthisis accounted for 10 deaths and 1 was due to
accidental drowning. The general health of the institution was good.
The majority of the new admissions at Benares were in feeble health on
admission. Of the 62 patients who died, 15 were in bad, 10 in very bad, 15 in
indifferent, 9 in fair and 13 in good health on admission. Of the 62 cases 4 had
been in the asylum over thirty years, 4 over twenty years, 7 over ten years,
and 10 over five years. 4 were over sixty years of age and 38 between forty and
sixty years. 10 died of maniacal excitement, 16 of dysentery, 8 of debility and 5
of epilepsy.
The deaths at Agra decreased by 24 during the year. Of the 46 patients
who died 9 were in bad, 5 in very bad, 5 in indifferent and 13 in fair health on
admission. Four had been in the asylum for over thirty years, 3 over twenty
years, 9 over ten years and 5 over five years. 7 were over sixty years of age and
21 between forty and sixty years.
There was no overcrowding at Benares and Bareilly. At Agra there was
slight overcrowding on the female side, but satisfactory arrangements were made
by the Superintendent to meet it.
6. The Benares Asylum was inspected twice during the year, in March
and in November. I found it in excellent order and, apart from the high death
rate, its condition is generally satisfactory. A new cook house and a better water
supply are however necessary. The present cook house is a delapidated old
building, badly ventilated and far from being up to modern requirements. The
water supply is partly from the municipal mains and partly from wells inside the
walls. This is unsatisfactory as it is impossible to restrict the lunatics to drinking
the municipal water when they have water from several sources at their disposal.
The water supply will never be satisfactory till municipal water, sufficient for all
the needs of the institution, is provided, and the well supply cut off entirely.