( 2 )
4. The following table shows the number of criminal lunatics treated in
the asylums during the last three years:—
1
YEARS.
1881...
...
...
1882 ... ... ...
1883 ... ... ...
2
Remaining
on 1st
January.
Males.
264
269
291
Females.
31
28
27
Total.
295
297
318
3
Admitted.
Males.
64
69
85
Females.
8
8
8
Total.
72
77
93
4
Re-admit-
ted.
Males.
12
9
12
Females.
1
1
...
Total.
13
10
12
6
Total.
Males.
340
347
388
Females.
40
37
35
Total.
380
384
423
6
Discharged,
transfer-
red, &c.
Males.
51
35
44
Females.
8
6
6
Total.
59
41
50
7
Died.
Males.
20
21
12
Females.
4
4
2
Total.
24
25
14
8
Remaining
on 31st
December.
Males.
269
291
332
Females.
28
27
27
Total.
297
318
359
9
Daily average
strength.
Males.
250.98
278.7
314.52
Females.
26.42
27.05
28.30
Total.
277.4
305.75
342.82
The steady increase in the number of criminal lunatics, which was noticed in
the Resolution recorded last year, was continued in the year under review.
The admissions and re-admissions increased in the aggregate by 18 when
compared with the preceding year. In the Report for 1881, a statement
showing the offences with which the criminal lunatics then in confinement
were charged, was given for the purpose of ascertaining whether there had
been any increase of crime among lunatics at large, which might be attributed
to the operation of the orders of the Government of India issued in 1876.
These orders pointed out that persons suffering from the temporary results
of sickness, intemperance or debauchery, and those whom their friends ought
to support, were not proper objects of charity; and that besides criminal
lunatics, only those patients should be received in State asylums who were
absolutely dangerous, or who, having no friends or resources, were in the
acute stage of mental disease in which there was most hope of recovery under
medical treatment. The return submitted with the Report for 1881 did not
show that there had been any increase of crime in consequence of these orders.
The Report for 1882 did not furnish a similar return, and the Surgeon-General
was asked to include it in future reports, provided this could be done without
difficulty. In accordance with these orders, a very elaborate and interesting
table has now been submitted, showing the offences with which the criminal
lunatics, who were admitted into the asylums between 1874 and 1883,
were charged. A perusal of this table strengthens the inference that there
has been no increase of crime in consequence of the operation of the
orders issued in 1876. The fluctuations that appear are not more than must be
expected when considerable numbers are being dealt with. The Surgeon-
General makes the following observations :—" The first columns of the table,
" showing commitment for graver crimes, present numbers which were all
" exceeded in the earlier years, except the second (column headed ' attempt
"to murder'); but these are not the crimes of which the record would
'' probably be affected by the change of practice. The result, if there were
" any, would probably appear under the head of theft, trespass, suicide,
" mischief, bad behaviour, bad livelihood, &c., and these do not increase
" either relatively to the whole or absolutely in such manner as to support any
" imputation against the existing rules of admission to asylums."
5. The causes of insanity were unknown in 98 out of the 232 cases
admitted and re-admitted during the year. Of the cases in which causes were
assigned, 108 cases were ascribed to physical and 26 to moral causes. The
following table shows the number of cases in which the cause of insanity is
attributed to intemperance and the use of drugs:—
ASYLUM.
Dullunda .. ..
Dacca .. ..
Patna
..
..
Cuttack .. ..
Berhampore ..
Total ..
No cause assigned.
35
30
17
10
6
98
CAUSE ASSIGNED.
Ganja and other
forms of hemp.
22
5
27
10
12
76
Spirit drinking.
5
3
7
....
....
15
Other causes.
14
19
2
2
6
43