Notes on the Statistical Tables of the Punjab Lunatic Asylum for
the year 1919.
Statement I.—Admissions, discharges,
etc.
AT the commencement of the year there was a total population of 872
(males 704, females 168). New admissions dur-
ing the year numbered 297 (249 males and 48
females), and readmissions accounted for 37
males and 11 females, the total population being 1,217, thus showing a decrease
of 129 as compared with 1918. The total number discharged was 268 and 92
died. The percentage of cured to the daily average strength was 13.26 , being
9 per cent. less than in the previous year. This is to be expected, as in 1918 a
large number of cases were Military insanes whose Psychoses were of a tem-
porary nature and more amenable to treatment. The daily average strength
was 874.99, about two less than the previous year (876.44). This average at
first sight would appear singular taking into account the disparity on the total
admissions, which were 126 more in 1918. It is, however, accounted for by
fewer deaths—92 in 1919, against 130 in 1918, and a decrease in the number of
discharges—268 –compared with 344 the previous year, the result being a
progressive residuum of chronics and incurables who naturally could not be
discharged.
Sickness and Mortality.
2. The daily average sick rose from 82.74 in the previous-year to 90.58.
This is by no means a disconcerting feature, but
is due to the admissions to Hospital of cases of
less serious nature. On the whole the health of the inmates has been satis-
factory and the death rate 10.51 is a marked improvement over 1918 when it
was 14.83, the latter was due in a great measure to the Influenza epidemic.
This disease again made its appearance at the end of the year in a mild epide-
mic form but was confined entirely to the female side of the institution, con-
trary to what happened in 1918, when it affected only the men.
Statement II.—Criminal Lunatics.
3. The year opened with 159 males and 5 females, or a total of 164.
The admissions and readmissions numbered 35,
while transfers, discharges and deaths accounted
for 27 leaving 172 under treatment at the end of December.
Statement III.—Religion, sex and resi-
dence.
4. Of the 330 admissions Hindus and Muhammadans claim practically
the same numbers—150 and 151. Europeans and
Anglo-Indians 8, Indian Christians 10 and other
castes 11. There were 272 men and 58 women
admitted.
Lahore District as usual heads the list with 62 admissions.
Statement IV.–Occupation.
5. Fifty Military insanes were admitted, much less than in the previous
year when this class accounted for 135. Next
in order are the cultivators and those of no
occupations with 37 each, those unknown and housewives, contributed 36 and
34, respectively.
The priest class furnishes only 2, the lowest number in the scale.
Statement V.—Age.
6. Compared with other years there is no marked variation as to the
incidence of insanity in its relation to age, the
largest number admitted—232 —being between
20 and 40, those under 20 years and above 60 showing the smallest numbers
31 and 9. Individuals between 40 and 60 years account for 58.
Statement VI—Types of Insanity.
7. The varieties of mania head the list with 145 admissions next in
order of frequency is melancholia with 67.
Insanity due to Cannabis Indica and its prepa-
rations 30, Dementia 29, Idiocy 25 , Confusional Insanity 15, and Delusional
Insanity 8.