Note on the Report of the Punjab Lunatic Asylum, Lahore, for the
triennium 1915—17.
THE report forwarded herewith is for the triennial period 1915—17. It
has been written by Captain J. F. Fleming, I.S.M.D., who has been in charge
of the Punjab Lunatic Asylum since January 1916.
Population.
There has been a marked increase in the total population from
1,053 in 1915 to 1,119 in 1916 and 1,227 last
year. The daily average strength shows a corre-
sponding advance, the figures for the three years being 763.50, 831.27 and
837.03.
Apart from the admission of a large number of military insanes (112
in 1917) from the various Overseas Expeditionary Forces, the steady growth
of the population was maintained, an indication of the growing popularity of
the institution.
The number of females admitted into the Asylum was comparatively
small—228 only as against 999 males during 1917. Possibly in view of the
special facilities which now exist in the Asylum for the treatment of females
a larger number will be sent for treatment. There is a falling off in the
total number of inmates discharged cured during 1917, there being 108 against
142, and 116 in the two previous years.
Accommodation.
2. The question of accommodation is owing to the yearly increase in
the number of admissions to the Asylum becom-
ing acute. The necessity for establishing a sepa-
rate enclosure solely for criminal lunatics has been recognised and the
question of acquiring the land for the purpose is receiving the attention
of Government.
The congestion in the European section should disappear on the open-
ing of the Ranchi Asylum, but the accommodation available will probably
always be required for temporary insanes or those under observation.
Attendant staff.
3. The question of the staff has always presented difficulties. The
duties the men have to perform are distasteful
and it is doubtful whether any reasonable re-
muneration would induce men of a suitable type to take service ; this opinion
is borne out by the fact that the creation of superior warders failed to justify
the hopes entertained as they also appear to find their increased emoluments in-
sufficient to recompense them for the disagreeable duties they are called upon to
perform.The quarters of the European Warder were completed in 1917. It is
satisfactory that the Superintendent has been able to secure the services of an
efficient warder after having had to wait for 2 years since the appointment was
first sanctioned by Government.
Escapes.
4 No escape of a serious nature occurred during the year under report.
In 1915, however, 4 criminal lunatics escaped, of
whom 8 were captured and returned to the
Asylum. Three more escaped in 1916 and 2 in 1917. Of these 2 were soon
returned to the Asylum. In all oases the attendants at fault were severely
punished.
Deaths from violence.
5. There was only one such death, it occurred in 1915, and the magis-
terial enquiry went to show that it was the result
of a rupture of the spleen due to a fall.
Suicides.
6. Only one death from suicide is reported to have occurred in 1917.
The criminal lunatic who managed to obtain
possession of some opium is said to have taken
it after hearing of the death of his wife. It is very difficult at all times to
prevent this drug being smuggled into an institution of this kind, but I think
too great a latitude had been allowed to the friends of a non-lunatic who was
thought to have devine powers and it was probably through them that the