Proceedings of the Punjab Government (Ministry of Education) in the Home
(Medical and Sanitary) Department, No. 262-S., dated 23rd May
1921
READ—
A letter from the Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Punjab, No. 4967-G., dated 27th
April 1921, submitting the report on the Punjab Lunatic Asylum for the triennium
ending 1920, together with his own note thereon.
Remarks.—The report covers the three years 1918-1919-1920. These
years show a further increase in the population of the Asylum, which has been
progressive through the triennia since 1900, the year of inauguration. There
were then only 465 patients as against 1,248 in 1920. The highest point was
touched in 1918 when the total population reached 1,346 ; the slight decrease
since is due to the falling off in military patients since the end of the war.
2. The daily average strength was 863 in 1920, as against 837 in
1917, when overcrowding was already noticed. This has now become serious,
but the proposals contained in the last Triennial Report for the construction
of a separate enclosure for criminal insanes has now received administrative
approval. Two evils will be met by this expansion of the accommodation
and the Government trusts that no time will be lost in carrying out a measure
which has now become urgent.
3. The Superintendent justly remarks that the progressive increase in
population since 1900 does not point to an increase of insanity throughout the
province, but to an increase in the popularity of the Asylum, as the benefits
of treatment become more widely known. The Government notes with
satisfaction the high percentage of cures effected. A change in popular views
is to be anticipated with the growing realization of the function of the
Asylum as not mere confinement, but cure. At present the tendency is to
bring in only such lunatics as are actively harmful or destructive in their
homes, while a knowledge of the restricted accommodation available is apt to
influence public authorities in the same direction. There is consequently
a not inconsiderable insane population at large which receives no treatment
at all,
4. The problem of obtaining a suitable attendant staff has not yet been
solved, in spite of an increase in pay. The report does not indicate how far
Sir Michael O'Dwyer's suggestion that a continued effort to secure the services
of retired army men has proved impracticable. With the increase in accommo-
dation when the new enclosure is built, this difficulty is not likely to
diminish.
5. The figures for sickness and mortality were naturally affected by
the influenza epidemics of 1918 and the succeeding years. There has also been
a rise in the cases due to tubercle.,
6. During the whole of the period Major J. F. Fleming, I.M.D., held
charge as Superintendent of the Asylum. Government wishes to record its
appreciation of the remarkable way in which Major Fleming carried on his
onerous duties single-handed without any relaxation of the high standard
of efficiency already shown, until his health broke down under the strain.
The good services rendered by the European warder and the Head Clerk
are also noted. As in previous years the Franciscan Sisters have worked
among the female patients with a devotion and self-denial which mere thanks
are inadequate to repay. An especial tribute is due to Sister Agnes, whose
health has also broken down under the strain.