Report on the Jubbulpore Lunatic Asylum for the year 1891.
Additions and alterations.
A piece of Nazul land in front of the asylum main entrance, measuring 1 acre, 3 roods,
43 feet, was made over to the asylum with a view to keep the public at a greater distance,
from the enclosure railings, and so ensure the privacy of the institution. This strip of land
extends from the main road opposite the Reformatory to the Oomti river ; it has been defined
by a ditch and hedge, and now the entire grounds are properly fenced in.
Quarters for the Asylum Establishment have been erected facing the institution and on
the ground taken up this year. These quarters have been built on the standard plan, and
accommodate 8 male and 2 female warders and 2 sweepers.
An iron gate has been put up at the entrance to the asylum grounds.
The Deputy Superintendent's quarters have been re-roofed and put in a good state of
repair. The usual annual repairs to the buildings were done by the Public Works Depart-
ment.
STATEMENT No. I.
There was but little change in the strength of the asylum during the past year, the
number remaining on the 1st January was 134 (108 males, 26 females). The average
remaining for the past ten years was 133.4, so there was very little variation. There were 27
admissions (23 males, 4 females), and 2 re-admissions (1 male, 1 female), making a total of
163 (132 males, 31 females). Of these, 12 males were discharged cured, 2 (1 male, 1 female)
discharged improved, 4 (3 males, 1 female) discharged otherwise, and 15 (12 males, 3 females)
died, leaving 130 (104 males, 26 females) under treatment at the close of the year. Of the
27 admissions, 8 (7 males, 1 female) were criminal lunatics. Both the re-admissions were
prisoner lunatics, who on completion of their sentence were transferred from the criminal to
the non-criminal list. Of the 12 discharged, 8 were cases of mania, 3 of toxic insanity,
and 1 of epileptic insanity; their residence in the asylum varying from 20 days to 16 years
Of the 2 discharged improved, one was a criminal lunatic ; both were made over to the care
of their relations on security being given for their proper custody.
Of the 4 discharged otherwise (3 males, 1 female), one escaped, the other 3 were prisoner
lunatics; of these latter, one was sent back to jail as not insane, and the other two were
transferred to the non-criminal list on the completion of their sentences of imprisonment.
The greatest number confined on any one night was 139 (112 males, 27 females); and as
the capacity of the asylum is for 163 (125 males, 38 females) there was no over-crowding.
The daily average strength was 133.77, compared with 130.79 in the preceding year.
There was one escape—a non-criminal lunatic named Halka, who managed to get over the
enclosure railings and has not since been heard of; he had been 9 months in the asylum, and
was quiet at the time of his escape.
The percentage of cured to daily average strength was 8.97, against 5.35 in 1890. The
percentage of cured to admission is also greater than the preceding year, being 41.38 against
30.43. The percentage of deaths to strength was 11.21 compared with 9.94, and to admis-
sions 51.72 compared with 56.72 in the previous year.
STATEMENT No. II.
At the beginning of the year there were 30 criminal lunatics (26 males, 4 females) in the
asylum ; 8 (7 males, 1 female) were admitted ; making a total treated of 38 (33 males,
5 females). Of these 2 males died, and 5 (4 males, 1 female) were discharged ; 2 of these were
prisoner lunatics, and were transferred to the non-criminal side on completion of their term of
imprisonment; 2 were made over to the care of their friends by order of the Chief Commis-
sioner, one as cured and the other improved ; the fifth was pronounced not insane, he was a
life convict, and when on his way to the Andamans, at Alipore, he feigned insanity, and was
sent to this asylum on the 12th August 1890; he was however found to be quite rational
during the time he was here, and was obedient and well behaved. In September 1891 he was
transferred to the Central Jail, and from there passed on to the Andamans.
The number remaining at the end of the year was 31 (27 males, 4 females).