Notes on. the Statistical Tables of the Punjab Lunatic Asylum for
the year 1913.
Statement I.—Admissions, discharges, etc.
THE number of inmates in the asylum at the close of the year 1912
was 683, of whom 540 were males and
143 females. The number admitted
during the year, including re-admissions, was 276 against 248 in the previous
year. Of these 212 were males and 64 females There were 27 re-admissions,
19 males (including 2 criminal lunatics) and 8 females against 22 the year
before. The total number of discharges, including 3 escapes, was 151. The
discharges during the year previous were 162 Those discharged cured num-
bered 124, while 11 were transferred to friends, 10 as mentally improved
and 1 as not improved, and 16 were discharged otherwise. The number dis-
charged cured shows a slight decrease over last year's figures, but it must be
remarked that this number varies greatly with the type of insanity of the
patients admitted and is also strongly modified by the length of time they
have been insane before admission.
There were unfortunately 3 escapes during the year against none the
p receding year.; but now that it has been decided that attendants who allow
lunatics to escape are liable to prosecution under section 225 A of the
Indian Penal Code, they will no doubt be more vigilant in future and see that
escapes do not occur.
It will be seen from the foregoing figures that the number of insanes
admitted and the total population showed a perceptible increase as has annually
been the case since the asylum was opened. The daily average strength
(709.22) was the highest on record.
Sickness and mortality.
2. Though the daily average sick (72.42) was considerably lower than
that in the year before (111.87), the
mortality was a little more, the death
rate being 11.42 against 10.40 in 1912. During the year there was one case
of suicide and two of murder of one lunatic by another which helped to
augment the death rate. Special reports on these cases have already been
submitted to Government. No special disease was sufficiently prominent to
call for particular mention except cholera which again unfortunately occurred
in the asylum in August. It was as usual brought in from outside, but the
prompt and universal segregation of all resulted in the disease ceasing at
once. Only two deaths occurred.
Statement II.- Criminal lunatics.
3. In the beginning of the year there were 147 criminal lunatics in
the asylum; 41 were admitted during
the year (including 2 re-admissions),
21 were discharged and 12 died, leaving 155 on the 31st of December.
The daily average strength was 151.92 compared with 149.57 in the pre-
vious year.
Statement III.-Religion, sex and residence.
4. Out of a total of 276 admissions, including re-admissions, Hindus
contributed 115 males and 28 females,
Muhammadans 83 males and 28 females,
Europeans and Eurasians 4 males and 7 females, Native Christians 3 males
and other castes 7 males and 1 female. The largest number (64) was received
from the district of Lahore.
Statements IV and V.—Occupation and age.
5. As usual the largest number of insanes were agriculturists (53),
which is natural as they form by far
the bulk of the population, Housewives
(40) and beggars (21). In 45 cases the previous occupation is unknown.
It will be observed from Statement No. V that the largest number of
lunatics were as in previous years between 20 and 40 and 40 and 60
years of age.