NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
5
The daily average sick at Nagpur was 2.74 or 3.99 less than in 1892, and
at Jubbulpore it was 4.56 against 6.09.
There were no cases of cholera.
The chief cause of sickness at both asylums was, as usual, malarious fever,
which gave 13 admissions at Nagpur against 53 in the preceding year, and at
Jubbulpore the admissions under this head are equal both in 1892 and 1893,
i. e., 27.
At Jubbulpore 2 cases were admitted for dysentery, 5 for diarrhœa, 6 for
bronchitis and 2 for pneumonia, but no such cases were admitted at Nagpur
under these heads except 2 cases for acute pneumonia phthisis.
The mortality slightly increased at both the asylums as compared with
1892.
The following table gives the ratio of deaths to the daily average strength,
and of the deaths to admissions:—
TABLE III.
Asylum.
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
RATIO OF DAILY AVERAGE
STRENGTH.
1891.
6.29
11.21
1892.
2.29
5.72
1893.
4.77
7.31
RATIO OF DEATH TO ADMISSIONS.
1891.
27.59
51.72
1892.
11.11
22.86
1893.
15.55
33.33
The following table gives the various causes of deaths at both the
asylums:—
TABLE IV.
Diseases.
Influenza ... ...
Dysentery
...
...
Fevers ... ...
General debility ... ...
Old age ... ...
Anæmia ... ...
Pneumonia ... ...
Epilepsy ... ...
Phthisis ... ...
General paralysis of insane ... ...
Valve disease of the heart ... ...
Other causes
...
...
Total ...
NAGPUR.
1892.
...
...
1
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
3
1893.
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
1
...
...
4
7
JUBBULPORE.
1892.
1
...
...
...
4
1
1
...
...
...
...
1
8
1893.
...
...
...
1
2
1
1
3
...
1
1
1
11
6
Table V compares the death causes in the asylums of the Central Pro-
vinces with those in the asylums of other Provinces:—
TABLE V.
Provinces.
Bengal...
Punjab...
Rangoon
...
Tezpur
...
Bombay...
Central Provinces, ...
Ditto...
Year.
1892 ...
1892 ...
1892 ...
1892 ...
1892 ...
1892 ...
1893 ...
Percent-
age of
sick to
strength.
5.63
12.28
4.25
9.04
7.86
4.74
2.46
Percent-
age of
deaths to
strength.
8.74
19.50
10.20
4.44
15.18
4.06
6.06
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL DEATHS TOOK
Fevers.
3.57
2.98
11.11
...
9.82
9.09
...
Dysen-
tery.
16.67
8.96
22.22
20.00
24.11
...
...
Diar¬
rhœa.
7.14
4.48
22.22
...
18.75
...
...
Phthisis.
15.48
5.97
...
40.00
3.57
...
5.56
Chest
affec¬
tions.
4.76
20.90
7.41
20.00
8.04
9.09
5.55
Anæmia.
14.29
5.97
...
...
...
9.09
5.55
Other
diseases.
38.09
50.74
37.04
20.00
35.71
72.73
83.34
The Statements IX, X, XI and XII give the details of receipts and expen-
diture of the two asylums.
In the Nagpur Asylum Rs. 915-8-6 were drawn from the Treasury in
excess of what was drawn last year. This increase is chiefly due to the pur-
chase of stock grains during the year and also to the increased inmates admitted
in the year under review. At the end of 1893 the value of grains that were in
stock amounted to Rs. 786. At Jubbulpore the total receipt from the Treasury
was less by Rs. 1,024-9-2 compared with 1892, which was due to certain savings
in the salary of the Superintendent, which was reduced from Rs. 250 to Rs. 150,
and in diets from the cheapness of grain.
The sums paid into the Treasury in 1892 and 1893 by the Superintendents
of the two asylums are given below:—
Nagpur
...
...
Jubbulpore ... ...
1892...
1893...
l892...
1893...
On account of
paying patients.
Rs.
106
159
953
1,145
a
7
9
4
5
p.
0
1
9
0
On account of various
articles sold.
Rs.
79
31
703
350
a.
3
7
8
11
p.
6
9
5
5
The amount paid into the Treasury at Nagpur on account of various
articles sold was Rs. 31-7-9 against Rs. 79-3-6 in the preceding year, and at
Jubbulpore it was Rs. 350-11-5 against Rs. 703-8-5 in 1892. The value of
manufactured goods made over for asylum use was Rs. 469-15-8 at Nagpur and
Rs. 925-10-9 at Jubbulpore. The net profits were, at Nagpur and Jubbulpore,
Rs. 531-8-2 and Rs. 852-10-10, respectively.
From paying patients Rs. 159-9-1 were realized at Nagpur, and Rs. 1,145-5-0
at Jubbulpore. As stated in previous reports a considerable amount was real-
ized at Jubbulpore from the pay of military lunatics.
7
Table No. VI, giving the expenditure of the two asylums under the various
headings, is appended :—
TABLE VI.
Mean cost per head.
Asylums.
Nag¬
pur,
1892,
1893,
Difference ...
Jub¬
bul¬
pore,
1892,
1893,
Difference ...
Superin-
tendence.
Rs.
13
12
-1
21
14
-7
a.
12
4
7
7
1
6
p.
3
5
10
2
1
1
Establish-
ment.
Rs.
17
15
-1
14
14
-0
a.
8
8
15
15
5
10
p.
5
9
8
10
5
5
Diet.
Rs.
34
35
+ 1
28
22
-6
a.
1
11
10
11
0
11
p.
8
11
3
8
4
4
Clothing
and
bedding.
Rs.
3
3
-0
2
a.
12
4
8
0
p.
11
8
3
11
...
-2
0 11
Building
and
repairs.
Rs.
0
0
-0
a.
1
0
1
p.
8
5
3
...
...
...
Bazaar
medi-
cines.
Rs. a. p.
...
...
...
...
...
...
Contingen-
cies.
Rs.
1
2
+ 0
1
1
-0
a.
14
9
10
5
0
4
p.
8
2
6
6
10
8
English
medicines.
Rs.
0
0
-0
0
0
-0
a.
14
0
14
3
3
0
p.
3
3
0
10
6
4
Total.
Rs.
72
69
—2
68
51
-17
a.
1
7
10
12
11
1
p.
10
7
3
11
2
9
Table VII is appended as usual to compare the mean cost per head of the
patients in the asylums of the Central Provinces with those of other Pro-
vinces. The balance in favour of the Central Provinces is very marked :—
TABLE VII.
Mean
of
year.
9
8
8
10
4
10
1
Provinces.
Bengal...
Tezpur...
Rangoon...
Punjab...
Bombay...
Central Provinces...
Ditto....
MEAN COST PER HEAD.
Superin-
tendence.
Rs.
18
16
12
12
23
20
13
a.
8
13
12
13
2
14
2
p.
0
1
6
5
9
5
9
Establish-
ment.
Rs.
19
25
29
32
38
16
14
a.
6
2
5
3
6
5
15
p.
5
9
1
11
6
6
1
Diet.
Rs.
34
35
50
38
66
26
28
a.
8
14
5
12
11
13
14
p.
10
3
4
10
9
9
1
Clothing
and
bedding.
Rs.
2
5
2
6
6
2
1
a.
11
6
11
15
7
11
10
p.
1
8
2
0
2
4
4
Building
and
repairs.
Rs.
1
0
a.
5
0
p.
5
2
...
...
2
0
0
3
7
0
8
7
2
Bazar
medi-
cines.
Rs.
0
0
0
0
0
a.
1
8
7
4
5
p.
1
11
1
4
3
...
...
Contin-
gent,
proper.
Rs.
5
2
4
5
8
3
1
a.
1
9
1
6
6
0
13
p.
3
4
8
9
8
10
0
English
medicines.
Rs.
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
a.
7
5
11
13
5
7
1
p.
5
0
6
7
10
7
11
Total.
Rs.
82
86
101
97
147
70
60
a.
1
12
6
5
11
13
9
p.
6
2
4
10
7
0
4
The average cost per head at Nagpur was Rs. 69-7-7 against Rs. 72-1-10 in
the preceding year, or Rs. 2-10-3 less. At Jubbulpore it was Rs. 51-11-2
against Rs. 68-12-11, or Rs. 17-1-9 less.
Owing to the change in the prescribed Statement No. IX, the other com-
parative tables cannot be commented on this year.
I inspected both asylums during the year. I consider the Superintendents—
Drs. McKay and Gaffney—deserve credit for their efficient management of the
institutions.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
G. C. ROSS, SURGEON-COLONEL,
Administrative Medical Officer,
Central Provinces.
Secretariat Press, Nagpur:—11-4-94—170.
Report on the Nagpur Lunatic Asylum for the year 1893.
STATEMENT No. I.
Admission and Discharges.
There were 35 admissions into the asylum during the year from the Central Provinces
(30 males and 5 females) and 2 (males) from the Berars. There
were also 8 re-admissions (7 males and 1 female) —all from the
Central Provinces.
Admissions
Re-admissions
Total
37
8
45
(32 males, 5 females).
( 7 males, 1 female).
39
6
The total admissions were higher than any year since 1885. Twenty-two of the inmates
(18 males and 4 females) were discharged during the year—all from the Central Provinces.
The periods of residence in the asylum of those discharged as " cured" varied from two months
to one year and ten months. Amongst those discharged as " cured" were 6 males and 1
female, and their diseases were—
Mania...
Melancholia...
Dementia
...
5
1
1
Eleven lunatics were discharged and made over to their friends; as " improved" 8
males and 2 females, and 1 male as '' not improved; " 4 lunatics discharged " otherwise"—
1 sent for trial,
1 sentence expired.
1 sentence remitted.
1 Eurasian woman transferred to the Madras Asylum.
Mortality.—There have been 7 deaths during the year, which is a higher number than in
the previous year, but less than any year since 1884. Amongst the deaths were 5 males and
1 female from the Central Provinces and 1 male from the Berars. Statement VIII shows
the causes of the admissions to hospital.
The daily average strength was 111.91 males and 34.69 females; total 146.60 against
130.76 in the previous year.
The daily average sick was 2.74 (2.63 males and 0.11 females) against 6.73 in 1892 and
12.97 in 1891.
STATEMENT No. II.
Fourteen criminal lunatics (13 males and 1 female) were admitted from the Central
Provinces during the year, against 4 in 1892. There were 3 re-admissions (2 males and 1
female).
Three criminal lunatics, all from the Central Provinces, were discharged as under : —
1 sent to stand his trial.
1 sentence expired and transferred to non-criminal list.
1 sentence remitted and transferred to non-criminal list.
The following particulars of the different kinds of criminal lunatics in the asylum are
given :—
(a)
(b)
(c)
Those insane on admission and found
incapable of making their defence.
Those tried and acquitted on the
ground of insanity
...
Those who became insane during
imprisonment
Total ...
Central Provinces.
Male.
15
24
...
39
Female.
4
...
1
5
Total.
19
24
1
44
Berars.
Male.
6
4
2
12
Female
1
...
...
1
Total.
7
4
2
13
2
STATEMENT No. III.
Of the 45 admissions and re-admissions—
19 came from the Nagpur District.
5
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
45
„
„ Chanda
„
„
„ Chhindwara „
„
„ Raipur
„
„
„ Betul
„
„
„ Bhandara
„
„
„ Sambalpur „
„
„ Berars
„
„ Wardha District.
„
„ Balaghat
„
„
„ Patna State
When classified into castes and races we find that there were—
Hindus
...
Mahomedans...
Eurasian...
Native Christian...
Other castes
...
31 (28 males and 3 females).
3 (males).
1 (female).
1 ( do. ).
9 (8 males and 1 female.)
45
STATEMENT No. IV
Speaks for itself, and it is only necessary to remark that, as in the previous two years, the
largest number of admissions were from the beggar class (11), cultivators (7) and labouring
class (7). The occupation of 6 of those admitted was unknown.
STATEMENT No. No. V.
The ages of the majority of the admissions (31) were between the ages of 20 and 40.
STATEMENT No. No. VI.
Types of insanity.
Mania
...
Melancholia...
Dementia including acquir-
ed imbecility
Idiocy...
Epileptic insanity...
18 (17 males and 1 female).
2 (males).
11 (8 males, 3 females).
1 (female).
4 (males).
Toxic insanity—
(a) Ganja-smoking ...
(b) Opium-eating...
8 (males).
1 (female).
45 (39 males and 6 females).
One of the ganja-smokers was discharged during the year as " improved," and the case of
opium-eating was also discharged as " improved" and made over to her relatives.
STATEMENT No. No. VII.
Physical causes...
Moral causes...
Unknown...
14 (13 males, 1 female).
3 (males).
28 (23 males, 5 females).
Comment on this statement is of little use as it is not possible to ascertain how much of
the information which is sent with the lunatic when he is admitted into the asylum is based
on ascertained fact and can be absolutely relied on, and how much is simply hearsay and
3
conjecture. I am inclined to believe more in the influence of heredity in the production of the
greater number of cases of insanity than in direct toxic influences. I believe that ganja-
smoking or chronic alcoholism or possibly the opium habit in one or either parent, all tend to
predispose to the production of a mentally weak-fibred progeny with unstable minds, prone
to give away from slight causes, physical or mental, and in fact produce a kind of moral
insanity; but this result will be brought about indirectly through inheritance, in most cases.
Ganja does also, undoubtedly, directly produce an acute type of insanity in the same way as a
large amount of alcohol will produce temporary mental excitement and delirium, but in
my experience the mental condition passes off sooner or later and is a temporary one in the
majority of cases. Chronic ganja-consumers I would place in the same category as chronic
dipsomaniacs, and look upon them as individuals in whom the evil habit was a consequence of
their mental instability and not the cause of it.
STATEMENT No. VIII.
The year was a very healthy one. There were 53 admissions into hospital (49 males and 4
females), against 97 in 1892 and 96 in 1891. The following table shows the chief causes of
admissions to hospital :—
13 from remittent and intermittent fever.
3 „ erysipelas.
3 „ scurvy.
6 „ general debility and anæmia.
2 „ apoplexy.
2 „ epilepsy.
5 „ abscess.
19 „ other causes.
53
No admissions from bowel complaints throughout the year.
Mortality.
There were 7 deaths during the year, the causes being—
(1) Epilepsy—38 years of age ; 6½ months in the asylum.
(2) Erysipelas—60 years of age; 2½ months in the asylum.
(3) Apoplexy—14 years of age; 2 years and 8½ months in the asylum.
(4) Pneumonic phthisis—45 years of age; 8½ months in the asylum.
(5) Typhlitis—36 years of age; 5 8/1 8/2 years in the asylum.
(6) Rupture of spleen—30 years of age; 2 years 16 days in the asylum.
(7) Debility—45 years of age; 25 days in the asylum.
The death from rupture of the spleen occurred on the 8th June at 10-15 A. M. A fight
took place between two lunatics—Balkrishna and Surju. The former gave the latter a blow on
the left side, which knocked him down (or else pushed him) and then fell on him. Surju
immediately became unconscious and died in a short time. The Superintendent—Surgeon-
Lieutenant-Colonel McKay—had only just left the asylum and returned immediately and saw
Surju just before he died. At a post mortem examination held the same day, it was found that
Surju's spleen was much enlarged, weighing 2 lbs. 13 ounces, and had been ruptured, and the
Superintendent, after a full enquiry, concluded that the cause of death was either the blow on the
side received from lunatic Balkrishna or the fall of both combined.
STATEMENT Nos. IX AND XI.
The total receipts from the Treasury were Rs. 9,258-15-3, against Rs. 8,343-6-9 in 1892.
The amount received from paying patients was Rs. 159-9-1, against Rs. 106-7-0 in 1892. There
4
were three paying patients—all from the Central Provinces. The sums paid monthly by each
are Rs. 3-8-0 from one and about Rs. 5 each from the two others.
The totals in column IV are annexed as follows as compared with 1892 :—
Garden and farm expenses ... ...
Europe medicines, &c.
...
...
Clothing and bedding
... ...
Jail miscellaneous ... ...
Public Works Department
... ...
Total...
1892.
Rs.
475
116
497
1
19,217
21,007
a.
2
3
13
2
5
5
p.
5
8
0
6
7
7
1893.
Rs.
469
a.
15
p.
8
*
482
3
8
11
0
10
*
956 3 6
* The cost under this head is now adjusted in column V under the head " Book receipts, &c."
The total expenditure was Rs. 12,199-4-0, against Rs. 29,457-3-4 in 1892.
The cost of dieting was Rs. 780-13-2 in excess of last year. This is due to the increased
number of inmates.
The amount paid into the Treasury was Rs. 31-7-9. The sum represents only the sale of
surplus vegetables and fruits.
The net profit was Rs. 531-8-2, against Rs. 537-9-11 in 1892.
Only one lunatic works at weaving cloth. He is of very uncertain temper and will not
teach any of the others. Several of the other lunatics have repeatedly been tried at working
the looms purchased from the Central Jail on the 31st March 1893, but they either cannot or
will not learn weaving. A few of the lunatics, male and females, spin cotton.
STATEMENT No. XII.
The following table gives the average cost per lunatic under the various heads during the
past six years :—
Items.
Establishment...
Diet. ...
Clothing and bedding...
Contingencies...
Medicines, &c. ...
Cost per lunatic
...
1887.
Rs.
16
26
4
4
2
56
a.
15
15
5
14
13
0
p.
8
10
0
1
5
0
1888.
Rs.
19
25
1
7
0
55
a.
12
14
5
11
11
7
p.
6
11
5
9
2
9
1889.
Rs.
20
26
3
7
0
58
a.
14
6
1
12
4
7
p.
7
8
3
9
7
10
1890.
Rs.
22
25
5
4
0
59
a.
8
6
13
13
14
7
p.
3
1
6
3
3
9
1891.
Rs.
19
25
5
2
0
53
a.
4
6
15
10
9
14
p.
10
1
3
11
10
11
1892.
Rs.
17
30
3
2
0
55
a.
9
12
13
0
14
2
p.
11
8
2
1
3
1
1893.
Rs.
15
30
3
2
0
51
a.
9
6
4
9
0
14
p.
9
1
9
9
2
6
Report on the Jubbulpore lunatic Asylum, for the year 1893.
ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS.
In addition to the ordinary annual repairs, the following is a list of works carried out
at the Lunatic Asylum during the year:—
(1) A wire fencing on the north side of the asylum, outside the female asylum,
was constructed, and completed in the month of May.
(2) A new iron gate was erected at the end of the garden entrance.
(3) A portion of the land formerly occupied by the Thaggi lines was made over to the
asylum; the buildings were demolished, and the whole was enclosed by a wall
700 feet long and 6 feet high built exclusively by lunatics, without cost to the
State. The Public Works estimate for the wall was Rs. 700, and the clearing
of the old buildings at Rs. 1,000. These amounts have not been shown as profit,
but ought to be taken into consideration in judging the results of receipt and
expenditure.
(4) An open shed with tiled roofing was built to protect the oil-mill; this also was
erected by asylum labour, without any charge having been made.
STATEMENT No. I.
This statement shows the totals of all lunatics independent of classification into
criminal and non-criminal.
The total population of the year is higher than at any time during the previous 10
years, having been 174—the highest number reached during the preceding 10 years having
been 168 in 1883. The number remaining on the 1st January was 141; admitted during
the year, 33 ; re-admitted none; total 174. Of these 9 were discharged cured, 1 improved, and 3
otherwise; 11 deaths, leaving a total on the 31st December of 150. The asylum is con-
structed to accommodate 125 males and 38 females; total 163. The highest population on any
one day was 124 males and 36 females; total 160, or just 3 short of the total accommodation.
The percentage of deaths to daily average strength was 7.31 and to admissions 33.33, against
5.72 and 22.86 in the previous year. I observe that in these returns the percentage
is shown ; in other returns, vital statistics, jail, &c., the " ratio per mille per annum " is always
given.
STATEMENT No. II.
Criminal lunatics.—The 30 criminal lunatics remaining on the 1st January 1893 are
thus classified:—
(a) Tried and acquitted on the ground of insanity...
(b) Insane and incapable of making defence...
(c) Became insane during imprisonment...
Total...
Male.
9
12
5
26
Female.
1
3
0
4
Of the 8 admissions (all males) there were in class—
(a)...
(b)...
(c)...
Total...
1
5
2
8
giving a total of 38 criminal lunatics during the year. Of these none were re-admissions.
None were discharged or transferred; 2 died, and 36 remained at the close of the year. Of
the admissions during the year the only one classed (a) who was tried and acquitted on the
grounds of insanity is an old man of 60, who is said to have committed three petty thefts; he
ought to have been sent in as a non-criminal lunatic, his petty offences being ignored: his dis-
charge in case of recovery would have been facilitated.
7
Of the 5 under Class (b), one Baba, I think, ought not to have been sent as a criminal
lunatic as he was challaned under Section 109 of the Criminal Procedure Code (security for
good behaviour). This is not a criminal offence under the Indian Penal Code, so he ought to have
been sent to the asylum as a non-criminal lunatic and be dealt with as such, but as the Chief
Commissioner directs, under Section 466 of the Criminal Procedure Code, that he be confined
as a lunatic, he is treated as a criminal lunatic.
The second case.—Dhandu (Register No. 224) broke into the house of a bania and was
found incapable of making his defence.
The third case.—Raghubir Sahi (Register No. 229) is charged with having stolen a pony,
and being found incapable of making his defence was ordered to the asylum by the Chief
Commissioner under Section 466, Criminal Procedure Code. He improved much in the
asylum and admitted he was temporarily insane owing to having smoked ganja. I recom-
mended his being sent to be put on his defence, but when brought before the official visitors
he became upset, and was considered unfit to take his trial.
The fourth case.—Punia (Register No. 232) was sent by the Agent to the Governor-
General, Central India, having murdered his own father. He was found insane. He is a
paying patient.
The fifth case.—Radhey Charan, aged 19 (Register No. 249). He was tried under Section
379, Indian Penal Code, and was found to be insane. He suffered from epilepsy. He was
made over to his father, who afterwards, declining the responsibility, had him sent to the
asylum.
Class (c), two cases; both these were sent by me from the Central Jail, Jubbulpore,
to the asylum. The first case, Raggy (No. 248 in Register), was a prisoner who originally
came into my charge in the Seoni Jail last year, when he became refractory ; he was then
considered strange by me, but not quite insane. He was transferred to the Jubbulpore Central
Jail, where his eccentricities became more fully developed, till he became quite unmanageable
and had to be transferred to the asylum, and I have hopes, after some time of quiet in the
asylum, he will be fit to return to the jail and complete his sentence of three years' imprisonment.
He is a young man little over 21 years of age. No. 2, Mahadeo Pershad (No. 252 on
Register). This man was also sent by me from the Central Jail. He was under a sentence
of 7 years under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (rape). He had completed but a
year of his term, when he became morose, silent and refused to do work. I kept him under
observation for a considerable time in the Jail Hospital. His symptoms of insanity gradually
developed until now he appears hopelessly insane.
STATEMENT NO. III.
Of the 33 admissions during the year (22 males and 7 females) eight districts of the
Central Provin ces sent in patients, whilst two Native States contributed.
The admissions from the Central Provinces districts were as follows: —
Jubbulpore ...
Do.
Central Jail ...
Saugor ...
Mandla ...
Damoh ...
Narsinghpur ...
Hoshangabad ...
Seoni ...
Nimar ...
Total ...
Male.
8
2
1
2
2
4
2
...
1
22
Female.
3
...
1
1
...
...
1
1
...
7
Total.
11
2
2
3
2
4
3
1
1
29