NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
STATEMENT No. X.
Showing the sanctioned Establishment of the Nagpur and Jubbulpore Lunatic Asylums as
it stood on 31st December 1888.
1
Establishment.
Superintendent
...
Deputy
Superintendent
...
Do.
Staff salary
...
Clerk and Compounder
...
Duffadar
...
1st Class Warder
...
2nd Class Warder
...
Male-keepers
...
Female-keepers
...
Gardeners
...
Matrons
...
Mehter
...
Daily average number of males
Do.
do. females ...
Proportion of
...
Nagpur ... ...
Jubbulpore ... ...
Nagpur
...
...
Jubbulpore ... ...
Nagpur ... ...
Jubbulpore ... ...
Nagpur ... ...
Jubbulpore
...
...
Nagpur
...
...
Jubbulpore
...
...
Nagpur
...
...
Jubbulpore ... ...
Nagpur ... ...
Jubbulpore ... ...
Nagpur ... ...
Jubbulpore ... ...
Nagpur ... ...
Jubbulpore
...
...
Nagpur ... ...
Jubbulpore ... ...
Nagpur ... ...
Jubbulpore ...
...
Nagpur ... ...
Jubbulpore ... ...
Nagpur ... ...
Jubbulpore
...
...
Nagpur ... ...
Jubbulpore
...
...
Jemadar to males
...
Male-keepers to males ...
Female do. to females ...
Warders to males
...
2
Number.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
...
2 at Rs. 8 each
...
2 at Rs. 8 each ...
2 at Rs. 7 each
...
7 at Rs. 6 each
...
9-8 at Rs. 6 and 1 at Rs. 4 ...
......
3 at Rs. 6 each
...
......
2 at Rs. 7 and 6 each
...
1 at Rs. 6 each
...
...
2 at Rs. 6 each
...
1 at Rs. 7 each
..
2 at Rs. 4 each
..
Total
...
Nagpur
...
Jubbulpore ...
104.17 ...
110.41 ...
27.43 ...
31.02 ...
Nagpur
Jubbulpore
Nagpur
Jubbulpore
Nagpur
Jubbulpore
Nagpur
Jubbulpore
3
Monthly wages.
250
250
55
55
20
20
15
15
10
...
16
16
14
42
52
...
18
...
13
6
...
12
7
8
470
424
1 to 104.17
...
1 to 11.57
1 to 15.77
1 to 9.14
1 to 15.51
1 to 26.04
1 to 55.20
STATEMENT XI.
Showing Receipts and expenditure on account of manufactures of the Nagpur and Jubbulpore Lunatic Asylums during the year 1888.
1
Name of Asylum.
Nagpur
...
Jubbulpore ...
2
Mean population.
M.
104.17
110.41
F.
27.43
31.02
T.
131.60
141.43
3
Average number
employed.
M.
93.42
49.51
F.
22.28
12.00
T.
115.70
61.51
4
5
6
7
8
9
Credits.
Cash paid into the treasury during
the year for articles sold.
Rs.
317
254
a.
14
9
p.
8
10
Value of manufactured goods made
over to Asylum for Asylum purposes.
Rs.
683
947
a.
1
2
p.
9
8
Value of raw materials in the store
at the end of the year.
Rs.
13
a.
9
p.
2
......
Value of manufacture goods in store
at the end of the year.
Rs.
......
......
Value of plant and machinery in
store at the end of the year.
Rs.
1,603
24
a.
10
8
p.
6
0
Total Credits.
Rs.
2,618
1,226
a.
4
4
p.
1
6
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Debits.
Value of manufactured goods in store
on 1st January 1888.
Rs.
...
...
Vale of raw materials in store on
1st January 1888.
Rs.
9 11 5
...
Value
of plant
and machinery in
store
on 1st January 1888.
Rs.
1,401
24
a.
1
8
p.
6
0
Raw
materials
purchased and all
other charges.
Rs.
273
490
a.
5
12
p.
0
1
contingencies
of
manufactures
viz
indulgences to Lunatics as rewards
for
work
&c.
Rs.
...
...
Charges for work done by the Public
Works Department.
Rs.
...
...
Total debts.
Rs.
1,684
524
a.
1
4
p.
11
1
Excess
of credits or profits.
Rs.
934
702
a.
2
0
p.
2
5
Excess
of debits or loss.
Rs.
...
...
Net profit as per memorandum a
foot.
Rs.
727
702
a
11
0
p.
5
5
MEMO. OF ACTUAL PROFITS.
Profit as per above table column 17 ... ...
Difference of raw materials in
store
...
...
Total ...
Difference of manufactured goods in store ...
Total
...
Difference of Plant and machinery in store ... ...
Total Net profits
...
Nagpur
...
...
Jubbulpore
...
...
Nagpur
...
...
Jubbulpore ... ...
Nagpur
...
...
Jubbulpore
...
...
Nagpur
...
...
Jubbulpore
...
...
Nagpur
...
...
Jubbulpore
...
...
Nagpur
...
...
Jubbulpore
...
...
Nagpur
...
...
Jubbulpore
...
...
934
702
—3
2
0
13
2
5
9
...
980
702
4
0
5
5
......
......
930
702
—202
4
0
9
5
5
0
......
727
702
11
0
5
5
REPORT
ON THE
LUNATIC ASYLUMS
OF THE
CENTRAL PROVINCES
FOR
THE YEAR 1889.
NAGPUR:
PRINTED AT THE SECRETARIAT PRESS.
1890.
[ PRICE EIGHT ANNAS. ]
No. 3782/382
Extract from the Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner, Central Provinces,
in the General Department,—dated Pachmarhi, the 20th June 1890.
READ—Letter No. 1046, dated the 10th May 1890, from the Deputy Surgeon-General, Central
Provinces, submitting, with remarks, the Annual Reports of the Nagpur and Jubbul¬
pore Lunatic Asylums for the year 1889.
RESOLUTION.
The total population of the Nagpur Lunatic Asylum in 1889 was 164, as
compared with 159 in the previous year. Admissions and re-admissions were
more numerous (163 against 154) and discharges were fewer (11 against 19).
Nevertheless, the daily average strength was lower (129.55 against 131.60):
a result which is due to the increase in the number of deaths from 12 in 1888
to 33 in the year under review. The ratio of deaths to daily strength reached
the high figure of 25.47 per cent. Of the 33 deaths, 8 were due to cholera,
which was present in an epidemic form in the Nagpur District, 12 to general
debility and 9 to remittent fever. In his Resolution on the Dispensaries Report
the Chief Commissioner has noticed the increase in the number of persons
suffering from fever who were treated at the Dispensaries in 1889 : and admis-
sions into Hospital of lunatics suffering from fever rose in the Nagpur Asylum
from 26 to 53. Still, the year was not a more unhealthy one, in this respect,
than 1887, when the admissions of fever-patients into the same Hospital
numbered 72, and the deaths from fever were 7. The Superintendent of the
Asylum has given figures which show that the mortality of the whole district
was much above the average : and account has to be taken of the fact that a
number of the patients were unavoidably exposed to chills and damp through
the moving of sixty of them into a cholera camp. The persistence of fever in
the Nagpur Asylum has been the subject of remark for some years past:
but it cannot be traced to insanitary conditions. The Asylum was inspected
during the year by the Surgeon-General with the Government of India. Alter-
ations are now being made in the structure of the buildings, in the hope that
the general health of the patients may be thus improved : the inmates have been
supplied with additional warm clothing for the rains and cold weather ; and the
utmost attention is paid to their diet.
2. The superior healthiness of the Jubbulpore Asylum has been frequently
adverted to : and though the daily average sick in this institution in 1889 was
nearly 2 per cent higher than in the preceding year, the figure (6.72) compares
favourably with the return for the Nagpur Asylum (10.12). The Jubbulpore
Asylum, moreover, was fortunate in escaping cholera. Notwithstanding this,
the deaths increased from 7 (in 1888) to 21: and the ratio of deaths to daily
average strength was as high as 15.16 (as compared with 4.95 in the preceding
year). The Superintendent explains that seven of the patients died from old
2
age, four of them having been inmates of the Asylum for from sixteen to twenty-
two years. Two died of epilepsy: both of them inmates of the Asylum for
upwards of 13 years. Nine succumbed to anœmia and general debility. The
increased mortality combined with fewer admissions (17 against 25) reduced the
daily average strength at the Jubbulpore Asylum from 141.43 to 138.55.
3. Statement No. VII shows that Ganja-smoking is held to be the chief
cause of insanity among the inmates of both Asylums.
4. The sums paid into the Treasury by the two Asylums are compared
below :—
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
Received from paying
patients.
1888.
Rs.
167
1,204
1889.
Rs.
233
1,162
Received for articles
sold.
1888.
Rs.
317
254
1889.
Rs.
535
286
5. The cash expenditure (from the Treasury) for the two years is compared
below: —
Nagpur
Jubbulpore
1888.
Rs.
9,662
8,916
1889.
Rs.
9,636
9,076
That with a smaller average daily strength the expenditure should have been
greater in 1889 in the Jubbulpore Asylum, was due partly to the higher price
of food staples, and partly to a large outlay on manufacturing contingencies. In
the Nagpur institution the increased cost of dietary was counterbalanced by a
smaller outlay on clothing and contingencies. Clothing of the value of
Rs. 397 was, however, supplied from the Manufactory Department. Including
the value of supplies from the factory, the cost per patient in 1889 was
Rs. 81-3-5 at Nagpur and Rs. 68-13-4 at Jubbulpore—or a little in excess
of Rs. 2 more per head than in 1888. The larger expenditure on contingencies
at Nagpur was commented on by the Chief Commissioner last year, but remains
unexplained. The Deputy Surgeon-General will now be good enough to enquire
into the causes of the difference.
6. Both the Superintendents show increased profits, despite the difficulties
of the year. Both are entitled to the thanks of Government for the care and
labour which they have bestowed upon the institutions under their charge.
ORDER.—Ordered that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the
Deputy Surgeon-General for information and guidance; also that copies, bound
with the Report, be distributed as usual.
[True Extract.]
L. K. LAURIE,
Of f g. Secretary.
Secretariat Press, Nagpur:—23-6-90—170
No. 1046.
FROM
J. G. PILCHER, ESQ.
DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL,
Central Provinces,
To
THE SECRETARY TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER,
Central Provinces.
Dated Nagpur, the 10th May 1890.
SIR,
I have the honour to forward, for submission to the Chief Commis
sioner, the annual Report and Statements of the Nagpur and Jubbulpore
Lunatic Asylums for the year 1889.
2. At Nagpur a new workshop was built by the Public Works Department.
At Jubbulpore no new buildings were erected, but the usual annual repairs were
done. The wooden gratings over the two large wells were replaced by stone slabs
resting on iron rails, A bridge was built over the nallah between the south-
western corner of the garden and the road leading to the city. Reservoir water
was laid on to the female enclosure and a shower bath was provided for the women
in the hot weather. The pipe leading to the male enclosure was changed from
one of half an inch to an inch in diameter. A large piece of ground situated
between the old garden and the road, measuring about 2 1/2 acres, was brought
under cultivation and yielded good crops of onions and potatoes.
STATEMENT I.
3. The number of admissions at Nagpur was greater by 5 when compared
with that of 1888, and when compared with the mean of the previous four years
it was slightly less ; while at Jubbulpore the admissions in 1889 were less by
8 compared with 1888, and nearly equal to the average of the previous 4 years.
4. The number discharged from the Nagpur Asylum was less by 8 com-
pared with 1888. Out of 11 patients discharged, 6 were " cured, " 1 " improved, "
and 4 " otherwise:" three of these were merely transfers from the criminal to
the non-criminal list, and one escaped. At Jubbulpore 7 patients were dis-
charged,—6 as "cured" and 1 "improved."
The daily average strength was less in both the asylums; at Nagpur it was
less by 2.05 and at Jubbulpore by 2.88.
5. There was not any overcrowding in either of the asylums in 1889.
6. The percentage of cured to daily average strength was less at Nagpur
by 2.21 than that of 1888, and at Jubbulpore it was nearly equal.
2
The percentage of cured to admissions was less at Nagpur (—14.37)
and greater at Jubbulpore (+ 17.18) than in 1888.
7. The percentage of deaths to daily average strength and to admissions
was considerably more in both the asylums compared with the previous
10 years. Regarding these increased rates of mortality in the two asylums in 1889,
Drs. Barter and Franklin have explained their views as to the cause of it in
their annual reports appended to this.
8. The following table is appended as usual:—
TABLE I.
Bengal ...
Punjab ...
Rangoon ...
Tezpur ...
Central Provinces ..
Ditto ...
Year.
1888
1888
1888
1888
1888
1889
Total popu-
lation during
the year 1888.
1,206
455
322
108
316
325
Daily average
strength.
932.80
350.08
230.43
83.40
273.03
268.10
Cured during
the year.
67
45
45
10
15
12
Percentage of
cured to total
population.
5.5
9.9
14.0
9.2
4.7
3.7
Percentage of
cured to daily
average
strength.
7.2
12.8
19.5
12.0
5.5
4.5
STATEMENT No. II.
9. The number of criminal lunatics admitted to the Nagpur Asylum was
again largely in excess of the average of the previous ten years. It was higher
than in any year since 1884. At Jubbulpore the number was less by half than
in 1888. There were no re-admissions in either of the asylums, showing that
due care had been taken in the selection of patients for discharge.
STATEMENTS Nos. III TO V.
10. These Statements call for no comment.
STATEMENT No. VI.
11. The Government of India, in No. 3-148 of 28th February 1890, ordered
that the classification of different forms of insanity, as given in the revised
edition of the nomenclature of diseases published in 1885, was in future to be
adopted in compiling Statement No. VI. This will be attended to in future
reports.
12. As in the previous years, the large majority of the lunatics admitted
at Nagpur were suffering from mania and dementia, and at Jubbulpore from
acute mania.
STATEMENT No. VII.
Is now prepared in accordance with the instructions contained in the
Government of India No. 9-700-10 of 31st October 1888.
13. To Indian Hemp is assigned by Medical officers the cause of insanity
in by far the larger number of instances in the patients of both asylums; Charas
and Bhang being preparations of that drug. Congenital and hereditary causes
are also noted. But the figures in this return cannot be accepted without
misgiving, on account of the difficulties in getting at the previous history of
each case.
3
In another sense too these figures must be accepted with caution, for in
most cases in which the cause of insanity is attributed to grief, anger, fear or
the like, the true cause lies in the heredity of the individual.
STATEMENT No. VIII.
14. The average daily sick was more in both the asylums than in 1888.
The average at Nagpur was 10.12 or 1.62 more than in the previous year; but
the figures when compared with the mean of the previous 4 years is less by 1.47.
At Jubbulpore the average is 6.72 or 1.99 more than in 1888, and here also when
compared with the average of 4 years it is higher by 3.54. The percentage of
sick to daily strength for the two asylums in 1889 is as follows:—
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
7.8
4.8
15. The total admissions into Hospital for all causes at both the asylums
in 1888 and 1889 is given below:—
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
1888.
57
83
1889.
121
98
Difference.
+
64
+
15
The following table shows the principal diseases for which lunatics were
treated in the Hospital of each asylum in 1888 and 1889 :—
TABLE II.
Fevers
...
Dysentery ... ...
Diarrhœa
...
...
Debility
...
...
Rheumatism
...
...
Anœmia
...
...
Bronchitis
...
...
Pneumonia
...
...
Abscess, Ulcer and Boil
...
Cholera ... ...
Jaundice ... ...
All other causes
...
...
Total ...
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore
...
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore
...
Nagpur...
Jubbulpore
...
Nagpur...
Jubbulpore ...
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
Admissions into
Hospital.
1888.
26
21
...
1
...
6
16
1
2
2
...
2
2
6
...
1
2
13
...
...
...
...
9
30
57
83
1889.
53
28
8
1
1
6
25
6
...
3
...
7
2
9
...
2
7
8
11
...
4
...
10
28
121
98
Difference.
+ 27
+ 7
+ 8
=
+ 1
=
+ 9
+ 5
— 2
+ 1
...
+ 5
=
+ 3
...
+ 1
+ 5
— 5
+ 11
...
+ 4
...
+ 1
— 2
+ 64
+ 15
4
16. During the year 1889 cases of cholera occurred in the towns of
Nagpur and Jubbulpore, but the out-break was specially severe in Nagpur and
its suburbs where 538 fatal cases were registered, while at Jubbulpore only 53
deaths were recorded under this head.
The first case of cholera occurred in the Nagpur Asylum on the 11th
May, and between that date and the 13th September 11 lunatics suffered from
the disease, of whom 8 died. Dr. Barter has given in his report an account of
the measures he adopted to stay the disease.
There was no cholera in the Jubbulpore Asylum, though, as before stated,
the disease prevailed in the town.
17. Both the ratios of deaths to strength and of deaths to admissions are
greater than in the previous year in both asylums. This is more readily seen
in the following table:—
TABLE III.
Nagpur ... ...
Jubbulpore ... ...
Ratio of deaths to daily
average strength.
1887.
18.00
6.63
1888.
9.12
4.95
1889.
25.47
15.16
Ratio of deaths to
admissions.
1887.
60.97
60.00
1888.
41.38
23.00
1889.
91.66
123.53
The causes of death in the two asylums are given in tabular form :—
TABLE IV.
Cholera ... ... ...
Remittent fever ... ...
Anœmia ... ... ...
Debility ... ... ...
Epilepsy ... ... ...
Acute mania ... ... ...
Dysentery
...
...
...
From other causes ... ...
Total ...
Nagpur.
1888.
...
...
...
9
1
1
...
1
12
1889.
8
9
...
12
...
2
...
2
33
Jubbulpore.
1888.
...
...
2
1
...
...
...
4
7
1889.
...
...
5
4
2
...
1
9
21
Fever and cholera account for more than half the deaths at Nagpur, and
the mortality is seen to have been very high in both asylums. This is more
strikingly seen when the figures of 1889 are compared with the average of the
ten years ending with 1888.
The average number of deaths to strength for the ten previous years in
the Nagpur Asylum was 7.91, and in 1889, 25.47.
5
Similarly, in the Jubbulpore Asylum the average of the ten years is 5.38
and in 1889, 15.16, which is a higher rate of mortality than that of Nagpur,
when it is borne in mind that no epidemic prevailed at the former asylum.
The Superintendent of each asylum, as before stated, has explained his
views as to the causes which led to this excessive mortality.
18. A ready comparison of the sickness and mortality of the asylums of
these Provinces with those of others is afforded in the accompanying table :—
TABLE V.
Provinces.
Bengal ...
Punjab ...
Rangoon ...
Tezpur ...
Central Provinces.
Do. ...
Year.
1888
1888
1888
1888
1888
1889
Percent-
age of
sick to
strength.
4.52
7.01
6.70
7.14
4.85
6.28
Percent-
age of
death to
strength.
7.72
7.71
13.02
8.39
6.96
20.14
Percentage of total deaths from
Fever.
2.78
11.11
3.33
...
...
16.67
Dysen-
tery.
12.50
7.41
23.33
...
...
1.85
Diar-
rhœa.
5.55
7.41
...
...
...
...
Phthisis.
4.17
7.41
...
...
...
...
Chest
affec-
tions.
2.78
29.63
...
28.57
...
...
Anœmia.
8.33
...
...
14.29
10.53
9.26
Other
diseases.
63.89
37.03
73.34
57.14
89.47
72.22
STATEMENTS Nos. IX, X, XI.
19. The sums given below were paid into the Treasury by the two
asylums during the years 1888 and 1889 :—
Nagpur ...
Jubbulpore ...
1888 ...
1889 ...
1888 ...
1889 ...
Received from paying
patients.
Rs.
167
233
1,204
1,162
a.
1
10
10
7
p.
9
9
10
1
Received from
articles sold.
Rs.
317
535
254
286
a.
14
5
9
0
p.
8
2
10
10
20. The expenditure under different heads shows that at Nagpur each
patient cost Rs. 2-1-5 more than in 1888 : the items in which this increase took
place are :—
Superintendent
...
Establishment ...
Diet ...
Clothing and Bedding ...
Rs.
0
0
0
1
a.
5
14
6
11
p.
9
3
1
8
For the above increase the Superintendent explains the cause in his annual
report. At Jubbulpore the average cost of each patient was Rs. 2-8-10 higher
than that of the previous year: the increase was largest for "diet," attributable
to dearness of grain.
6
The following Statement shows the cost per patient under different headings of
account at the two asylums in 1888 and 1889:—
TABLE VI.
Nagpur,
1889 ...
Nagpur,
1888 ...
Differance ...
Jubbulpore, 1889 ...
Jubbulpore, 1888 ...
Difference ...
Superin-
tendence.
Rs.
23
22
+ 0
21
21
+0
a.
2
12
5
10
3
7
p.
6
9
9
5
5
0
Establish¬
ment.
Rs.
20
19
+ 0
14
14
+ 0
a.
10
12
14
9
0
9
p.
9
6
8
5
1
4
Diet.
Rs.
26
25
+ 0
29
27
+ 1
a.
5
14
6
0
5
10
p.
0
11
1
4
6
10
Clothing.
Rs.
3
1
+ 1
2
2
—0
a.
1
5
11
2
3
1
p.
1
5
8
6
10
4
Building
and
repairs.
Rs.
1
1
—0
a.
9
14
4
p.
9
2
5
...
0
—0
1
1
4
4
Bazar
Medi¬
cines.
Rs. a. p.
...
...
...
...
...
...
Contin-
gent
proper.
Rs.
6
6
— 0
1
1
-0
a.
1
10
9
4
5
0
p.
8
11
3
11
1
2
English
Medi¬
cines.
Rs.
0
0
— 0
0
0
+ 0
a.
4
11
6
1
1
0
p.
7
2
5
9
3
6
Total.
Rs.
81
79
+2
68
66
+2
a.
3
2
1
13
4
8
p.
5
0
5
4
6
10
The table given below is appended as usual showing the mean cost of each
patient in the asylums of the different Provinces :—
TABLE VIA.
Years.
5
4
4
6
6
1
Provinces.
Bengal ...
Tezpur ...
Rangoon ...
Punjab ...
Central Pro-
vinces ...
Central Pro¬
vinces, 1889.
Mean cost per head.
Superin-
tendence.
Rs.
19
25
13
12
21
22
a.
11
9
14
13
12
6
p.
10
2
9
8
6
6
Establish-
ment.
Rs.
20
28
31
32
15
17
a.
14
12
0
12
10
9
p.
7
2
6
10
7
11
Diet.
Rs.
33
38
42
38
25
27
a.
8
9
12
0
11
10
p.
7
3
7
6
8
8
Clothing
and
Bedding.
Rs.
2
5
2
6
2
2
a.
12
3
9
9
4
9
p.
8
6
10
7
3
10
Building
and
repairs.
Rs.
1
0
a.
9
0
p.
7
1
...
...
0
0
9
12
10
10
Bazar
Medi-
cine.
Rs.
0
0
0
0
a.
0
13
6
3
p.
11
10
4
3
...
...
Contin-
gent
proper.
Rs.
4
2
3
6
3
3
a.
12
2
12
2
4
11
p.
4
5
7
6
11
4
English
medicine.
Rs.
0
0
2
0
0
0
a.
6
9
11
14
8
3
p.
3
10
1
8
2
2
Total.
Rs.
83
101
97
97
69
75
a.
12
12
3
9
13
0
p.
9
3
8
0
11
3
The total net profit at Nagpur was Rs. 49-9-8 and at Jubbulpore Rs. 28-14-7 more
than in 1888, and the net profit per head was at Nagpur Re. 0-8-2 more
and at Jubbulpore Re. 0-1-6 less than in 1888.
The cost per patient is as under:—
Nagpur
...
Jubbulpore ...
Rs.
81
68
a.
3
13
p.
5
4
or after deducting the amount received from paying patients and that of
net profits:—
Nagpur
...
Jubbulpore
...
Rs.
73
55
a.
6
2
p.
7
8
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
J. G. PILCHER,
Deputy Surgeon General,
Central Provinces.
7
Annual Report on the Nagpur Lunatic Asylum for the year 1889.
The number admitted into the asylum was slightly less than the average
for the previous four years, the period during which Berar lunatics were received.
Re-admissions (5) are recorded above the average, but of these only two had
previously been in the asylum, and the remaining three were merely transfers
from the criminal to the non-criminal list. Only six were discharged "cured,"
their periods of residence varying from forty days to ten months: four of these
suffered from acute mania and two from dementia : the former recovered soonest.
One case was discharged "improved," so the total cured and improved reached
seven only. Four are shown as discharged "otherwise :" three of these were
merely transfers as above noted, one escaped and is still at large.
The year generally proved a very unhealthy one : admissions to the Police
hospital stood at 534, as against 482 in 1888 and 569 in 1887. The District mor-
tality is recorded at 23,533 or 33.74 per 1,000 of population in 1887. In 1888 it
stood at 16,979 or 24 per 1,000, and in 1889 at 30,162 or 43 per 1,000; and exclud-
ing cholera 2,969, and small-pox 3,244, the mortality stood at 34 per 1,000. Every
month during the year, December excepted, showed higher mortality in the dis-
trict than for corresponding months, calculated on the average for the previous
five years, as may be seen by the following table :—
Mortuary Return of the Nagpur District for 1889, and the mean for the
previous 5 years.
Mortality for 1889 ...
Mean of the previous five
years ...
Jan-
uary.
Ratio
per
mille
per
annum.
32.45
26.42
Febru-
ary.
Ratio
per
mille
per
annum.
36.05
23.83
March.
Ratio
per
mille
per
annum.
44.34
25.33
April.
Ratio
per
mille
per
annum.
46.75
25.69
May.
Ratio
per
mille
per
annum.
47.79
27.60
June.
Ratio
per
mille
per
annum.
44.53
22.75
July.
Ratio
per
mille
per
annum.
58.04
23.07
Au-
gust.
Ratio
per
mille
per
annum.
60.16
30.40
Sep¬
tember
Ratio
per
mille
per
annum.
49.47
36.98
Octo-
ber.
Ratio
per
mille
per
annum.
40.20
36.47
Nov¬
ember.
Ratio
per
mille
per
annum.
34.76
34.18
Decem-
ber.
Ratio
per
mille
per
annum.
24.87
34.72
The heat was excessive during the hot months, and later on fevers were more
than usually prevalent. The year being thus an exceptionally unhealthy one
for the general population and police, it proved a sickly one for lunatics also.
Mortality in 1888 was lower than that of the previous two years; during the
year under report it rose, and, excluding eight fatal cholera cases, it stood at 25,
or 19 per cent of daily average strength. Of this very heavy mortality, 12 cases
are set against general debility and anœmia and 9 against fevers ; 2 died from
acute mania, worn out by the violence of the disease; one died from valvular