2
Criminal lunatics.
5. This asylum contains a large and steadily increasing proportion of
criminal lunatics who have, of course, to undergo a very
prolonged period of probation after return to sanity before
they can be released, so that this vitiates the return of those discharged cured.
Even so, however, the numbers are fairly satisfactory. In 1900, 38 were thus
discharged; in 1901, 39; and in 1902, 44; while " improved" were taken away
by their relatives on the usual bond of security. It must, however, be remem-
bered in considering these that the conditions in an asylum in this country are
totally different from those existing at Home, Though the number (as the
benefits of this institution became known) of those brought by their friends
for treatment slowly increases, still the vast majority consists of aggravated
cases who have become so dangerous and troublesome outside that their
detention here is a matter of necessity. One result of this is that the cases
of mania more than treble those of simple melancholia, while exactly the re-
verse holds at Home.
Attendants.
6. The inmates, as a whole, form a far more dangerous, noisy and
troublesome class and are infinitely more difficult to pro-
perly supervise, especially when it is remembered that
the attendants obtainable here are of a very low order while they are also few
in point of number. Rightly or wrongly, the fact remains that the duties of an
attendant in the asylum are considered as objectionable, and though the pay is
relatively good, it is extremely difficult and rare to obtain men of good standard.
No pensioned sepoy will undertake the work or stay at it more than a few
days, except Mazbi Sikhs, and these the more rational lunatics object to
on the ground of caste. The increased pay in the higher grade attracts a cer-
tain number of reliable men, and those of long service often attain to a good
practical knowledge of the peculiarities and modes of managing individual
patients. Still the general number leave much to be desired. The strictest and
most careful supervision is exercised to prevent any harshness and abuse of
power, and such cases are severely dealt with. As a result one can confidently
assert that very few instances arise. The female attendants obtainable are
of very low order, and compare very unfavourably with the male, and for this
no remedy seems at present forthcoming.
Suicide.
7. No cases of suicide among the patients have yet arisen. Cases of
assault by the stronger and more aggressive lunatics,
not always on the more feeble, are very frequent, and
this is one of the greatest objections to the use of barracks, in which
a large number sleep together at night, quite apart from the discomfort
that the noise and dirty habits of many must inflict on all. Indeed, it is always
very difficult to decide between the hardships of keeping such men each
separate in their own rooms, and the danger that always exists of allowing
them to be about in the general population.
Fatal injuries.
8. One such man, there is little doubt, kicked another to death in a fit
of passion after months of quiet behaviour and apparent
sanity ; one man died as a result of ruptured spleen follow-
ing a heedless blow inflicted by another lunatic, up to that time considered
quiet and harmless; and another similar man suddenly fractured with a
hoe the skull of a companion who was taking leave after having been discharged
cured.
Escapes.
9. There was no escape in 1900, but in the following year, 18th
October 1901, two men managed (within a month of their
intended release) to effect this in the night by scaling the
outer wall with the aid of a hospital cot. One was returned by the police
some time later; the other, probably sane, is still at large. On 13th December
1902 one man wandered away through the gross carelessness of the attendant
in charge of him, from the garden where he was working, but was brought back
two days later, and another lunatic also escaped from the garden on 29th
March 1902. He has not yet been recovered.
Deaths.
10. The percentage of deaths was 10.59 in 1900, 11.40 in 1901 and
7.94 in 1902, which latter was an exceptionally healthy
year. This number compares favourably with other asylums
here and in Europe.