Part 1.]
BAREILLY LUNATIC ASYLUM.
23
being due to the former and 5 to the latter. Diarrhœa only accounts for 1
death. There were 2 fatal cases of pneumonia, 3 of anæmia, and 3 of fever.
Cause of lower rate
of mortality.
The mortality has never before been so low in this asylum, and in explanation
of the cause of this very satisfactory result, Dr. Corbyn writes:—
Of course the food, the clothing, and the general treatment of the patients, have been
much the same as in previous years; but I think that the recent order by His Honor the
Lieutenant-Governor, authorizing the Superintendent to purchase at his discretion, medicines
which he cannot procure from the medical depôt, or if so, only in small quantities, has been a
great boon to the asylum.
Criminal lunatics.
The daily average strength of criminal lunatics was 30.6. Three died
during the year, and there remained on the last day of the year 25 males and 4
females.
Health on admission.
Of the 106 admissions, 31 were in bad, 47 in indifferent, and 28 in good
health at the time of their entry into the asylum. Dr. Corbyn remarks—
The patients are generally received into the asylum in a very wretched condition; often
they appear as if they were actually dying, and it is only by the most assiduous care that they
are kept alive, and it is amongst these poor emaciated creatures that the chief mortality occurs.
Periodical weigh-
ments.
The system of periodical weighments is carefully carried out in the asylum.
Of the admissions, 64 gained weight and 16 lost weight during the year; and
of the latter, 11 died, whilst of those who gained weight 14 were discharged cured,
and many were mending rapidly.
New remedies.
The report contains a very valuable account of the therapeutical effects
of several of the more recent remedies which have been applied to the treat-
ment of the insane, but as Dr. Corbyn's observations on this subject have
already been quoted (p. 13), they need not be reproduced here.
Causes of insanity.
The Superintendent also devoted special attention to the causation of
insanity, and his report gives a summary of his conclusions (see p. 10).
His observations on the phases of insanity in the female, as affected by the
catamenial period, are particularly deserving of attention.
Heat apoplexy.
Precautions taken
to prevent recurrence.
Several cases of heat apoplexy occurred in one of the female wards owing
to the confined state of the barrack. To remedy this, a high wall, which inter-
fered with the free circulation of the air, was levelled, and a shady mangoe
grove, which is situated near the spot, was purchased and brought within the
asylum premises, and under its shade the inmates spend the hot hours of the
day.
Buildings and
grounds.
A pucca wall has been completed around the female barracks, and the area
of the yard has as above stated been greatly increased. A well has been pro-
vided in this yard. The wall around the criminal barrack and the outer en-
closure wall are almost completed. The grounds are prettily laid out in
ornamental plots, and the care of the plants is a source of amusement and health-
ful occupation to the inmates. Alluding to the single escape which was
effected during the year, Dr. Corbyn says—" Considering the dilapidated state
of all the enclosure walls during the greater part of the year, it is a matter
of surprise that more escapes have not occurred."
Finances.
The total cost of the asylum was Rs. 21,897-6-5. Taking all heads of
expenditure into account, there is a decrease of Re. 1-1-3 per man upon the
cost of the previous year. There is a reduction under the heading " Establish-
ment," as the number of warders was decreased from 35 to 28 in accordance
with the new scale. Each diet cost Rs. 30-14-4, or Re. 1-3-8 more than during
the previous year. Under the head of " Contingencies" there is a considerable
increase due to the temporary entertainment of extra warders whilst the outer
wall is being repaired. The average cost of each man was Rs. 74-3-7. The
Superintendent strongly urges the increase of the matron's salary in that
she has worked thoroughly well, and that without her enthusiastic assistance he
could not have recorded his observations upon the causation of insanity among
the females.
Employment.
Of the inmates 72.4 per cent. were constantly employed. Employments
which are agreeable and suitable are selected, looking to occupation rather as a
means of cure than merely as a source of profit.
Inspection.
The Deputy Surgeon-General of the Lucknow Circle (Dr. Cannon) inspected
the asylum on March 17th 1874. He found the inmates clean, contented and
happy, and exceedingly orderly. The asylum building is suitable.