BRIEF NOTES ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN THE CENTRAL PROVINCES
FOR THE YEAR 1904.
The statements appended to this Note have been prepared in accordance
with the instructions conveyed in Government of India, Home Department
(Medical) Resolution No. 21—31, dated the 11th January, received in this
office under Secretariat endorsement No. 692, dated the 25th January 1904.
Accommodation and build-
ings.
The question of building at Chhindwara a Central Asylum for the Native
insanes of the Central Provinces and Berar combined
with a joint Asylum for European insanes from the
Provinces of Northern India was re-opened during the year under report and is
still under consideration. Pending the settlement of this question it was consi-
dered inadvisable to go on with contemplated improvements in the Asylums at
Nagpur and Jubbulpore.
In the Jubbulpore Asylum two new solitary cells, costing Rs. 2,773, were
constructed and the usual annual repairs were effected at an expenditure of
Rs. 396-14-0. Separate Hospital accommodation was also provided for 11
patients.
In the Nagpur Asylum, two new wards, each accommodating 20 inmates, a
block of 6 cells, quarters for a matron and a Hospital for male patients were
constructed. The new wards and cells were constructed in connection with the
proposed transfer of female insanes from Jubbulpore to Nagpur. The comple-
tion of accommodation for the female lunatics from Jubbulpore and the enter-
tainment of a matron has, however, been held in abeyance pending the disposal
of the question regarding a Central Asylum.
STATEMENT I.
As compared with the figures of the previous year, the daily average strength
in the Asylums at Nagpur and Jubbulpore was less by 5.01 and 3.90, respectively.
The decrease occurred both among males and females.
The admissions and re-admissions in the Asylums at Nagpur and Jubbulpore
were 2 and 8, respectively, in excess of the previous year. Of 26 admissions in
Jubbulpore, 6 came from the Central India Native States against 1 in 1903.
The decrease in the daily average strength is accounted for by the large
number of discharges and deaths. The numbers discharged cured from the
Nagpur and Jubbulpore Asylums were 15 and 19, respectively, against 15 and 10,
respectively, in 1903. At Jubbulpore 8 new admissions, admitted on account of
acute mania, were discharged cured within the year. In 4 of these cases ganja
or bhang was the exciting cause of the insanity. The total number of discharges
was 21 from each Asylum or 42 in all, against 33 in 1903.
The health of the inmates of the Nagpur Asylum was not good. The daily
average sick per cent. of daily average strength was a fraction over 8, and the
deaths numbered 19, equal to 12.58 per cent. of daily average strength. Five
deaths were due to epileptic coma, 3 to pulmonary phthisis, 2 to chronic dysen-
tery, 1 to pneumonia and 6 to various chronic affections. Of the remaining two,
one was a case of murder, the other of suicide by hanging.
The murder was committed by a criminal lunatic on the 4th July. He was
admitted into the Asylum six months previously and had not, in the interval,
shown any aggressive symptoms.
The assault was unprovoked and was
apparently the result of a sudden homicidal impulse. The murderer was sub-
sequently confined in a cell, where on 20th October he managed to hang himself
with a rope made from his bedding. The usual Magisterial enquiries were held.
The findings did not show culpable neglect on the part of any official.