28
REPORT ON THE
been required in the department, and there was no object therefore in keeping any record
but that of each individual case. By following every patient's history during the year in
the diary I could complete the table, but this would be extremely tedious, and as this infor-
mation seems to me less essential than that which belongs to the mental health of the
inmates, I have selected the table as one to be omitted on the present occasion. Full parti-
culars of fatal cases will be given, and I need scarcely say that a record has been com-
menced, which will serve henceforth for the preparation of the 14th table.
Unusual
preva-
lence of phthisis.
It is worthy of remark that pulmonary phthisis has been unusually prevalent this year.
In connection with the very crowded state of the asylum, the fact is interesting ; but as this
state has already been fully represented in special reports, and the question of increased accom-
modation has the anxious attention of Government, it seems needless to discuss the subject
further here.
Cures.
Escapes.
5. Cures numbered 104, against 89 in 1870. In this number the escapes have
hitherto been included, for the escaped lunatics, who are not soon brought back, are for the
most part persons no longer insane, who are awaiting their formal discharge, or those whose
insanity has been doubtful from the beginning. They will be separately recorded in future.
Transfers.
6. Transfers.—There were 21 persons transferred to friends, a number rather smaller
than is now usual. Transfer, although, as far as it goes, it argues improved condition in a
certain number of persons, must not be made the basis of any further conclusion ; for the
number depends more on the ability and willingness of friends to take charge of the
lunatics than on any consideration connected with the asylum.
Escapes.
7. Escapes.—There were 12 escapes in the year ; that is 12 cases in which there was no
recapture No record was kept in former years, and to trace the events in the diary would
cause delay.
Mortality.
8. Mortality.—The death list, though it exhibits a rate per cent. on mean population
which differs but little from that of 1870, gives, perhaps, in respect of general disease, a
slight advantage to 1871, inasmuch as there were four cases of cholera in the latter year and
none in the former. With the exception of the frequency of pulmonary cases, there
is nothing in the mortuary return which calls for special comment. It will no doubt be
observed that this year, as before, where deaths took place soon after admission, it arose from
causes outside the institution. In the cases of phthisis, however, there is evidence that the
disease was acquired within its walls.
Number remaining
at the close of
the year.
With a larger number on 1st January, slight decrease of admissions, some increase of
cures, increase of transfers, and small absolute increase of deaths, the net result is, that at the
end of the year there were eight more persons in the asylum than there were at the begin-
ning,—325 against 317.
Criminal lunatics.
Difficulty of mana-
ging them.
* (Vide general statement No. 3.)
9. Criminal Lunatics.—The 3rd table* is a return of criminal lunatics. The mean
daily number of this class was 82.87. The difficulties
and dangers attending their management in an insti-
tution of this kind, have been fully set forth in special reports. They disorder the establish-
ment, vitiate statistics, and are known to be the source of a variety of mischief, which can
seldom be clearly traced to individuals or effectually dealt with in any way.
Causes.
10. Causes.—There is nothing to call for special comments in the tables which show
the causes and types of insanity, the prominent fact being, as in former years, the great
influence of ganjah intoxication.
Buildings.
Accomodation still
insufficient.
11. Buildings.—The new northern extension buildings were completed during the year
and are now occupied to the great advantage of the inmates. Their insufficiency in the
present state of the asylum has been fully reported, and is under the consideration of