5
35. The large number of cases admitted into the Lahore Asylum in
1898 due to alcohol drinking is remarkable.
STATEMENT NO. VIII.—SICKNESS AND MORTALITY.
36. Lahore.—There were 423 admissions into hospital for a total popu-
lation of 378. In 1897 the admissions were more numerous, 498, on a smaller
population, 347 ; so that the record for 1898 may be considered fairly satisfac-
tory. The daily average sick was 41.30, on a daily average strength of 286.19.
In 1897 the daily average sick was 37.04, on a strength of 257.6.
37. Malarial fever was not quite so prevalent as in 1897; nor were
dysentery and diarrhœa. Pneumonia, however, was much more prevalent, 21
cases against only 3 during the previous year. The Superintendent cannot
account for this difference, except that probably the intense cold of the winter
of 1898-99 may have been the cause. Almost all the circumstances were identi-
cal in the two years.
38. Delhi—The total strength was 180, and there were 47 admissions
into hospital, against 48 admissions in 1897, on a total strength of 179. There
was practically no difference between the records of the two years. The daily
average strength in 1898 was 130.61, and the daily average sick 7.59. In 1897
the daily average sick was 6.92, on a daily average strength of 128.15.
39. There is nothing calling for special comment regarding the diseases
for which lunatics were admitted. Pneumonia shows a satisfactory decrease
from 10 cases in 1897 to 4 in 1898.
DEATHS.
40. Lahore.—There were 26 deaths during 1898, which was 9.08 per
cent, of the daily average strength. In the preceding year the percentage was
8.15. Eight deaths occurred from pneumonia, to which disease reference has
already been made. Five out of the 11 admissions for delirious mania termin-
ated fatally, and 4 out of 39 admissions for dysentery.
41. Delhi.—There were 14 deaths in this Asylum, or 10.71 per cent, of
the daily average strength. Delhi thus shows a higher death-rate than Lahore
again this year. There were 3 deaths from pneumonia on 4 admissions.
STATEMENT NO. IX.—CASH ACCOUNT.
42. Lahore.—The expenditure of this Asylum amounted to Rs.
33,108-13-4, compared with Rs. 38,777-15-3 in 1897, being a decrease of
Rs. 5,669-1-11. Diet alone accounts for a saving of Rs. 2,488-3-8, and this too
with a considerably larger population. The fall in the price of food stuffs fully
accounts for this. The head Clothing and Bedding also shows a large decrease of
Rs. 2,343-5-4, as no new jerseys were bought, and blankets cost about Rs. 500
less in 1898 than in 1897. Contingent expenditure fell from Rs. 2,624-7-6 to
Rs. 2,460-15-4, a figure lower than that for 1896 also. The Public Works
Department spent only Rs. 671 on the building. It was not worth while spend-
ing more, now that a new Asylum is in course of construction.
43. Delhi.— The sum of Rs. 13,269-12-6 represented the total expendi-
ture of this Asylum, being an increase of Rs. 586-5-10 on the outlay of 1897.
Diet charges show a decrease of Rs. 720-7-2, for reasons already noted in the
case of Lahore. Clothing and Bedding, however, required an increased expen-
diture of Rs. 413-8-3, owing to the necessity of providing a new set of jerseys
and blankets, and supplying the warders with new uniforms, the old ones
having entirely worn out.
44. The cash abstract showing the cost per head is, as usual, appended.
As might be expected from the foregoing remarks, the cost per head at both
Lahore and Delhi shows a decided falling-off ; from Rs. 138-6-2 to Rs. 106-11-6
at the former, and from Rs. 93-5-5 to Rs. 88-10-4 at the latter institution.