TRIENNIAL REPORT ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN THE
CENTRAL PROVINCES, FOR THE YEARS 1906,
1907 AND 1908.
Officers in charge.
The Nagpur Lunatic Asylum was in the charge of Lieutenant-Colonel J.
L. Poynder from 1st January 1906, till 26th April, when
he proceeded on leave after handing over to Lieutenant-
Colonel A. Buchanan, who remained in charge till 14th January 1907, when
Lieutenant-Colonel R. B. Roe succeeded him and continued in charge till the
close of the triennium. At Jubbulpore, Major A. G. Hendley was in charge
from 1st January till 7th March 1906, when he was relieved by Lieutenant-
Colonel W. A. Quayle, who had returned from furlough. Lieutenant-Colonel
Quayle held charge till 10th April 1908, except for the short period when he was
absent on deputation, Major W. D. Sutherland then officiating (12-11-07 to
12-1-08): thereafter Lieutenant-Colonel A. Silcock assumed charge which he
held up to the close of the year.
STATEMENT
I.
Accommodntion and popu-
lation.
2. The capacity of the Nagpur Asylum, which was 233 at the close of last
triennium, is now 254: but the distribution has been
changed, in consequence of the completion of the altera-
tions undertaken in order to allow of the females from
Jubbulpore being taken over, and it now holds 137 males and 117 females. There
was accordingly some overcrowding on the male side in 1908, the largest number
present on any night being 145 : but, as from 11 to 13 lunatics are not locked up,
the overcrowding was really inappreciable. On the female side there is ample
room: and when the additions that have been begun to accommodate the males
on transfer from Jubbulpore have been completed there will be ample room on
both sides of the Asylum. The slight overcrowding at Jubbulpore to the extent
of 2 males and 1 female in 1907 and of 3 males in the first half of 1907, was
completely got rid of by the transfer in July of all the females to Nagpur: and
Jubbulpore has now room for 143 males, with only 99 to be housed. The
additional accommodation provided on the female side at Nagpur in the course
of the triennium consists of a barrack for 20 lunatics, a hospital with 8 beds and
quarters for the matron.
Admissions and re-admissions.
3. One hundred and forty-nine lunatics remained over at Nagpur at the close
of last triennium, and 137 at Jubbulpore. At Nagpur there
were 146 direct admissions in the 3 years under report
(36 in 1906, 48 in 1907 and 62 in 1908) against 90 in the preceding three years
(21, 26 and 43). The increase may have been connected with the recently
prevailing scarcity. At Jubbulpore the admissions were 22 in 1906, 16 in 1907
and 27 in 1908, or 65 against 59 in the preceding triennium (14, 25 and 20).
There were only 4 re-admissions against 17 in the preceding 3 years.
Discharges.
4. The discharges were 55 at Nagpur (8, 18 and 29), against 63 in the
the preceding triennium (20, 21 and 22): and their
condition on discharge was 'cured'40, 'improved' 9,
not improved ' 1, ' otherwise' 5 (4 escapes and 1 sent to stand his trial). This last
should really have been classed as ' cured '. At Jubbulpore, the discharges num-
bered 84 (13 in 1906, 50 in 1907 and 21 in 1908) against 55 (13, 21 and 21).
43 were discharged ' cured, '1 ' improved,' 2 were transferred from the criminal
to the non-criminal side, 2 were escapes and 36 (females) were removed to
Nagpur. Of the 4 escapes from Nagpur 2 simply walked away while working
on the farm, the other two, criminals, one being fettered, escaped at night by
removing tiles from the roof of the sleeping barrack. Both Jubbulpore escapes
were effected by squeezing the body through the bars of the side openings.
None of the escapes, except 1 at Jubbulpore, have yet been recaptured. With
the exception of one dement all those discharged ' cured' had suffered from
' Mania.'