Note on the Statistical Tables of the Punjab
Lunatic Asylum for the year 1906.
STATEMENT I.
Admissions, discharges, etc.
1. The total number admitted was 174, of whom 131 were males and 43
females, as compared with 151 males
and 33 females in the previous year.
Including the number remaining on the
1st January, the total population was 770, consisting of 605 males and 165
females, against 612 males and 148 females in 1905. The daily average
strength was 604.75 against 597.00 in the previous year. The total number
discharged was 114, of whom 97 were males and 17 females; 40 miles and 17
females died, leaving 599 inmates at the end of the year, against 596 at the close
of 1905. Of those discharged, 55 males and 13 females are returned as
cured, the corresponding figures for 1905 being 59 and 11 ; 32 males and 3
females are shown as transferred in an improved condition to the care of friends;
one male and one female, similarly disposed of, were not improved. Of the 9
that appear as discharged otherwise, 3 were found after admission not to be
insane, 3 were removed by relations who gave security, shortly after the
patients' admission, 2 escaped, and a criminal lunatic, sent to stand his trial, was
released by order of the court. The two patients who escaped were quickly recap-
tured and the warders in whose custody they were at the time were punished.
The percentage cured of the daily average strength was 11.24 and of the
admissions during the year, 39.08, the corresponding ratios for the previous
year being 11.73 and 38.04.
Sickness and mortality.
2. There was a marked rise in the daily average sick, from 42.18 in the
previous year to 56.26, which is mainly
ascribable to the great prevalence of
malaria during the latter half of the year. But it is remarkable that, while
there was an increase of 14.60 in the daily average sick of males that of females
declined by .52. This contrast is probably due to the better conditions of
general management under which the women are placed and also to the fact
that they are more amenable to treatment. Happily, the greater sickness among
the male patients was not attended with a corresponding rise in mortality.
On the contrary, the death-rate fell from 9.64 in 1905 to 8.45, while that of the
female patients rose from 8.33 to 12.94; two deaths by suicide account for this
increase. Thirteen of the 57 deaths that occurred were caused by pneumonia;
the remaining deaths were due to various diseases. The hospital in the male
section of the asylum was unequal to the demands upon it, but overcrowding was
avoided by placing the sick in excess of capacity in tents, which experience has
shown to be suitable for the purpose. There had not previously been a death
by suicide since the asylum was opened in 1900 ; and it is reported that in
neither of the cases that occurred last year had the patient given any sign
indicating a suicidal tendency. An inquest was held in each of the cases.
STATEMENT II.
Criminal lunatics.
3. Including those remaining at the beginning of the year, 141 criminal
insanes were under treatment, the num-
ber being made up of 127 males and 14
females. Twenty-three males and 3
females were admitted, 18 males and 2 females were discharged, 4 males and 1
female died, leaving 105 males and 11 females at the end of the year. as
compared with 101 males and 10 females on the 31st December, 1905.
The original intention was to segregate this class from the non-criminals,
but the structural arrangements of the asylum, the increase of population and
the exigencies of management entail a certain amount of association, which is
very objectionable. Captain C. J. Robertson Milne, while acting as superinten-
dent, represented the desirableness of completely segregating criminal insanes
in a special asylum, and I entirely share his views on the subject. Here I may
appropriately mention that steps were taken last year to segregate juveniles
from adults, much to the advantage of both.
STATEMENT III.
Religion, sex and residence.
4. Hindus contributed 64 males and 18 females to the total admissions,
Muhammadans 60 males and 15 females,
Europeans and Eurasians 3 males and 2
females, Native Christians 3 females and
other castes 4 males and 5 females.