Proceedings of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab in the
Home (Medical and Sanitary) Department, No. 363, dated the 2nd June
1915.
READ —
A letter from the Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Punjab, No. 2780 Genl., dated the
6th April 1915, submitting the Report of the Punjab Lunatic Asylum for the
triennium ending 1914.
REMARKS.—The report covers the triennium 1912—1914. The population
of the asylum has increased annually, the daily average strength in the three
years under report being 682.58, 709.22 and 735.92, whilst the total population
of the last year under report amounted to 991. A noteworthy feature is the
continued and steady increase in the number of females admitted which has
risen now to 216. The Lieutenant-Governor agrees that this progressive increase
of population is a clear indication of the growing popularity of the institution
and a proof of the care and sympathy bestowed upon its inmates by the authori-
ties in charge.
2. Many improvements have been made during the last three years.
The buildings have been enlarged, and the interiors have been suitably tiled and
floored. The asylum has now a maximum capacity of 830 patients, allowing
50 cubic feet per patient, but the introduction of the cubicle system has naturally
reduced the number that can be accommodated. There is, however, at present
ample accommodation, and the diminution of space is fully counterbalanced by
the superior arrangements for the care and comfort of the patients, which the
system affords. The recent provision of a new quarantine ward has supplied a
long-felt want. The Institution is fortunate in possessing shady gardens and
ample grounds for recreation and exercise. No reference has been made to
the working of the electric installation sanctioned last year at considerable
expense.
3. The problem of obtaining a staff of attendants who will carry out
their duties with efficiency and sympathy for the unfortunate patients has always
been one of great difficulty. The appointment, however, of two non-commis-
sioned officers of the Indian Army as superior warders has been a great success,
and has done much to raise the standard of efficiency of the attendants generally.
The pay of the lower grades of attendants has also been recently revised and
materially improved. It is hoped that these measures will have the desired
effect of securing a staff of reliable attendants of the required stamp. A
European warder has also been appointed primarily to look after European
patients, and to assist in general supervision and maintenance of discipline
among the staff. The full benefit of this appointment will not be apparent
till quarters are provided, and this should be done without delay.
4. The only matter deserving of particular note in respect of the types
of cases admitted is the increasing prevalence of idiopathic mania and melan-
cholia, a type of insanity occurring mostly among the educated classes. The
percentage of cures to the daily average strength has risen slightly over this
triennium, being 22.71, 17.48 and 18.07 for the three years respectively as com-
pared with 15.17, 15.03 and 16.69 for the years 1909—1911. The report
emphasizes the great importance of early admission for treatment in all cases
of insanity as regards the prospect of ultimate recovery, and the Lieutenant-
Governor wishes to impress this point on the attention of all who have to deal
with cases of insanity in the province.
5. The health of the inmates has been satisfactory. The asylum was
visited by cholera in 1912 and 1913, but all precautions were taken, and its
spread prevented. Four deaths were due to the disease on the first occasion and
two on the second. Five escapes occurred during the three years, due in all
cases to carelessness of attendants. Five deaths occurred as the result of assaults
by fellow-patients, but it is satisfactory to observe that in no case were any of
the attendants held to be to blame.