Note on the Statistical Tables of the Punjab Lunatic Asylum for the
year 1912.
Statement I.—Admissions, discharges, etc.
IN the beginning of the year 1912 there were 537 male and 131 female
patients under treatment in the Asylum,
and 186 males and 62 females were
admitted, the figures representing re-
admissions being 16 males and 6 females; those discharged numbered 162, of
whom 126 were males and 36 females, and 57 males and 14 females died during
the year, resulting in a net reduction in the population of the Asylum of 15
patients, 13 of whom were males and 2 females. The number of patients
admitted and the total population show a slight increase over last year's figures,
but it is satisfactory to note that the number of those discharged cured is much
greater than in any previous year. The death rate 10.40 is fairly low, and little,
if at all, above that found common in Europe and elsewhere.
Of those discharged, 119 males and 36 females were returned as
cured, and 7 males were otherwise discharged.
The percentage of those cured to the daily average strength was 22.71
and to admissions during the year 62.50 against 16.59 and 46.90, respectively,
in the preceding year.
Sickness and mortality.
2. The amount of sickness shows a decrease, the daily average being
111.87 as against 124.76 in 1911.
During the year there was an unfor-
tunate outbreak of cholera, the origin of which could not be traced and
which accounted for 4 deaths. The general mortality rose from 58 deaths
in 1911 to 71 in the year under report.
Statament II.—Criminal lunatics.
3. Including 148 patients under treatment in the Asylum at the begin-
ning of the year, 180 criminal patients
were treated, of whom 165 were males
and 15 females. Of these 21 males and 3 females were discharged, 8 males and
1 female died, leaving 136 males and 11 females under treatment at the close of
the year. Although there was no case of suicide, two murders of one insane
by another were committed and were separately reported to Government. A
large proportion of the male insanes is of a most dangerous and homicidal cha-
racter, and it always needs extreme care and vigilance to prevent such unfortu-
nate occurrences happening even more frequently than they do. During the
year all the barracks and cells were under repair which, in addition to tempo-
rarily lessening the amount of cellular accommodation available for these
dangerous cases, necessitated a large number of bricks and other potential
missiles being left about, and made it difficult to prevent serious assaults. Had
it not been for these accidents and the outbreak of cholera, the death-rate
for the year would have been one of the lowest on record. No escapes occurred
during the year.
Statement III.-Religion, sex and residence.
4. Hindus contributed 88 males and 30 females to the total admis-
sions, Muhammadans 82 males and 23
females, Europeans and Eurasians 2
males, Native Christians 3 males and 4 females, and other castes 11 males and
5 females.
Statement IV.—Occupation.
5. Agriculturists, as usual, furnished the largest number of admissions,
viz., 32, while 25 and 26 are shown under
the heads "Beggars" and "House-
wife," respectively. In 80 cases the previous occupation was not known.
Statement V.—Age.
6. As regards age, 21 of the total number of patients admitted were
under 20 years, 171 between 20 and 40,
49 between 40 and 60, and 7 above 60.