26
DELHI LUNATIC ASYLUM.
[Part I.
in my opinion to be principally ascribed to the facts that the grounds were not
inundated once during the rains, and that 1873 was altogether a healthy year."
Mortality.
STATEMENT No. XXII.
Finances.
YEARS.
1868 ... ...
1869
...
...
1870 ... ...
1871 ... ...
1872 ... ...
Averages ...
...
1873 ... ...
Daily average
number.
132.
146.8
158.8
150.4
152.8
148.2
136.2
PER CENT. OF AVERAGE STRENGTH.
Admitted.
71.9
88.3
48.1
59.8
62.8
66.2
66.8
DISCHARGED.
Cured.
43.2
30.8
20.2
13.9
15.
24.6
29.4
Improved.
5.3
8.9
13.3
8.6
7.8
8.8
11.
Otherwise.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Deaths.
18.9
42.9
24.5
42.5
45.8
34.9
16.1
Total dis-
charges and
deaths.
67.4
82.6
58.0
65.
68.6
68.3
56.5
The mortality was almost wholly due to dysentery and diarrhœa. There did
not occur a single case of cholera, although the disease existed in the city and
at the railway station ; but it is to be recollected that epidemic disease did not
account for last year's very excessive mortality. Indeed, it is very remarkable
that, notwithstanding the great proportionate difference in the death-rates of the
two years, the cause of mortality in both was similar, viz., bowel complaints.
The total cost was Rs. 11,875, being a slight increase upon the expendi-
ture of 1872, due to the enhanced cost of provisions. The cost of each patient
was Rs. 87-2-3.
Inspection.
Deputy Surgeon-General H. M. Cannon, M. B., inspected the asylum
minutely on three different occasions. He remarks :—
The patients, with the exception of the seven in hospital, presented a remarkably healthy
appearance; this I attribute in a great measure to the deficiency in the rains, and the unusual
healthy season of 1873. The Goomtee never once overflowed its banks; and most of the old
and sickly inmates were carried off by diarrhœa, dysentery and dengue, during the unhealthy
season of 1871-72.
The diet, clothing, and general management are the same as obtained for several years
past. A proposal to increase the establishment is being considered.
The buildings were in good repair. The female barrack had to be built from its founda-
tion after the rains.
The lower portions near the river have not been flooded during the past year; the bund
seems to have answered its purpose : although, as Dr. Whishaw states, the river Goomtee did
not once overflow its banks during 1873 owing to the scanty rains, so it would be premature
to give an opinion as to its efficiency.
DELHI ASYLUM.
Charge.
Surgeon-Major A. Taylor, the Civil Surgeon of Delhi, was the Superintendent.
Statistics.
The number of patients daily under treatment remains the same as for the
previous year, and the number of admissions was 39, being an increase of only
one. The death-rate fell considerably, and the number cured varies but slightly.
The daily strength of criminal lunatics was 5.32. The actual number of deaths
was eight, of which three were caused by diarrhœa, one by pneumonia, one by
epilepsy, one by dysentery, one by debility, and one by fever.
STATEMENT No. XXIII.
YEARS.
1868
...
...
1869 ... ...
1870 ... ...
1871 ... ...
1872
...
...
Averages
...
...
1873
...
...
Daily average
number.
28.6
34.1
34.3
30.6
45.5
34.6
45.6
PER CENT. OF AVERAGE STRENGTH.
Admitted.
121.4
85.3
73.5
133.9
83.5
99.5
85.5
DISCHARGED.
Cured.
60.7
58.8
64.7
78.4
28.6
58.2
26.3
Improved.
10.7
23.6
5.9
19.6
17.5
15.5
17.5
Otherwise.
...
...
...
...
2.2
.4
4.4
Deaths.
3.4
11.7
11.6
13.1
28.6
13.7
17.5
Total dis-
charges and
deaths.
74.8
94.1
82.2
111.1
76.9
87.8
65.7