Note on the Statistical Tables of the Punjab Lunatic Asylum for
the year 1921.
THE year opened with an asylum population of 703 males and 147
females, a total of 850. The number of new admissions during the year was
214 males and 71 females, total 285, while of the 69 re-admissions in addition
47 were males and 22 females. The total treated during the year was 1,204, or
44 less than in 1920 owing to a decrease of admissions from overseas. The
total female population was 240 against 242 in the previous year.
Statement I.—Admissions, Discharges,
etc.
2. Of the 261 patients discharged during 1921, 138 were returned as
cured, against 107 in 1920, and 108 transferred
to friends, including 88 improved and 20 not
improved, as compared with 136 and 13, respec-
tively, in the preceding year. The percentage of cured to the daily average
strength was 15.96 against 12.40 in 1920. The daily average strength and
the daily average sick were 864.58 and 36.13 respectively compared with 862.82
and 64.79 in the previous twelve months. The marked and satisfactory decrease
in sickness may be attributed to a healthy year and absence of epidemics
with the exception of an outbreak of influenza in the male asylum, and of
cholera in both sections, and to the closer attention, it has been possible to give
to the inmates and their food, bedding and clothing, due to an increased staff
including a Deputy Superintendent and for a short time an Assistant Deputy
Superintendent also.
Sickness and Mortality.
3. A slight outbreak of influenza in the male asylum in February account-
ed for 9 deaths and a temporary increase in the sick
rate. Cholera visited both sections of the asylum
during the summer and lingered for some weeks, dropping cases occurring. The
female population suffered especially. In all 23 cases occurred with 14 deaths
4. Among other diseases dysentery provided 70 admissions with 7 deaths
compared with 45 cases and 6 deaths in 1920 ; 72 cases of diarrhoea accounted
for 14 deaths, the figures for the previous year being 97 cases and 24 deaths.
Of the 58 cases of malaria one proved fatal as in 1920 when 56 cases were
admitted. There is a satisfactory fall in the number of cases of and deaths
from tuberculosis, the figures for 1921 and 1920 being 38 cases with 17 deaths
and 56 cases with 22 deaths, respectively, 4 non-fatal cases of " Pyrexia of
uncertain origin " were recorded against 32 cases with 1 death the previous
year. Pneumonia fell from 28 cases, 10 fatal in 1920 to 5 cases with 3 deaths in
the year under report. The now tubercular enclosures were brought into use on
the 20th September 1921, rendering immediate segregation of actual and suspect-
ed cases now possible and the reduction to a minimum of the spread of infection.
Statement I. A.
5. The Government of India have introduced this statement in order
to shew clearly the number of "Observation
cases" admitted and the number of those who
have been discharged or committed for detention in the asylum as certified
insanes. Of 206 cases admitted for observation only 17 were released as un-
certifiable. The number under observation at the close of the year was 8.
Statement II—Criminal Lunatics.
6. The total number of criminal insanes in the asylum on the 1st
January 1921, was 159 males and 3 females as
against 167 males and 3 females in 1920. Thirty-
three were admitted during the year as compared with 29 the previous year ;
there were two re-admissions : while 33 were " discharged or transferred, etc.,"
and 8 died, the numbers being 29 and 10 respectively in 1920.
7. Owing to deficiency of cellular accommodation for criminal
lunatics and the large number of violent insanes among the non-criminal class
admission of new criminal lunatics had to be suspended for about two months,
the difficulty still exists, and the only solution is early construction of the
contemplated new criminal section. It is hoped that this will be commenced
during the present year.
Statement III—Religion, Sex and Re-
sldence.
8. Of the total admissions and re-admissions 169 were Hindus, 156
Muhammadans, 11 Europeans and Anglo-Indians,
9 Indian Christians, and 9 Other Castes.
Statement IV—Occupation.
9. As regards the previous occupation of those admitted 25 were
military employés, 36 cultivators, 55 housewives,
19 labourers, 31 professional men, 29 public
servants, and 4 of the priestly class.
Statement V—Age.
10. The admissions and re-admissions according to age were :—Under
twenty 40, twenty to forty 242, forty to sixty
59, over sixty 13.