NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
6
Profits.
18. The total credits are increased by Rs. 828,
and the excess profit over that of last year is
Rs. 507.
Condition as regards
marriage.
19. Statements No. 12 show that single insanes numbered 374 males
and 20 females, making a total of 394 The deaths
among these were 33 or 8.6 per cent., whereas last
year they were 2.9. The married were 276, males 218
and 58 females ; 20 of the former died and 4 of the latter, or on the whole a
precentage of 8.6, the same as last year. There were 45 widowers and 38
widows ; 2 of the former or 4.4 per cent., and 4 of the latter or 1.1 died.
Those whose condition was unknown amounted to 97 males and 24 females ;
among them the deaths were 12.4 as compared with 7.3 in the previous year.
It may be remarked that the unknown have the greatest death rate ; next to
them come the single and the married, and the last of all the widowed. The
cures were—among single 8.8 per cent., as compared with 9.7 in the previous
year ; among the married the percentage was 14.8 or 2.0 more than that in
1874-75 ; in the widowed class 9.6 to 4.0 in last report, and the known have
5.8 or 1.5 less than in the preceding year.
As regards the condition of marriage by castes there were :—
Single
...
Married
...
Widowed ...
Unknown ...
Hindus ... ... ...
Mussulmans
...
...
Hindus ... ... ...
Mussulmans ... ...
Hindus ... ... ...
Mussulmans ... ...
Hindus ... ... ...
Mussulmans ... ...
Number.
146
130
137
70
50
14
70
82
Percentage.
37.1
32.9
49.6
25.3
60.2
16.8
57.8
26.4
The other castes are so few that they require no special notice.
Criminal Lunatics—num-
ber and crimes.
20. Statements No. 13 show some further particulars regarding cri-
minal lunatics. The numbers treated during the year
are given in paragraph 5. The average daily number
employed was 47.62 as against 40.57 of the former ;
44.89 were males and 2.73 females, to 38.25 and 2.32 respectively of the previous
year. The chief crimes were murder 42, and theft 25 cases ; culpable homi-
cide not amounting to murder, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, with other
crimes of lesser violence, account for 31 cases.
Superintendent's Reports
given in extenso.
21. Government were pleased to sanction, at my recommendation, the
printing of the Superintendent's reports in extenso,
and they accordingly appear drawn up in a concise
form.
Buildings.
22. Of the buildings, those at Colába are in good order. At Poona and
Hyderabad, alterations and additions have contri-
buted to the comfort of the inmates. At Dharwar and
Ahmedabad, the accommodation is reported to be quite inadequate to the
wants of the districts, consequently many seeking admission have had to be
refused. At Ahmedabad, the flood destroyed all the out-buildings, and
though the asylum stood, its walls were damaged by the mud, &c. The out-
buildings have been replaced.
8
Restraint.
29. I am happy to report that there is no mention of restraint having
been resorted to, except at Hyderabad, and in this
case it appears to have been of the mildest character
—simple isolation—which is used in every asylum, and can hardly be called
restraint as the word is applied to insanes.
Escapes.
30. Escapes have occurred at Hyderabad, Ahmed-
abad and Poona to a very small extent.
Establishments.
31. The conduct of the establishments have been satisfactory during
the past year. Mr. Joseph Soloman, the Hospital
Assistant at the Ahmedabad Asylum, is particularly
commended by Dr. Wiehe for his zeal, honesty and intelligence.
Visitors.
32. Dr. Wiehe states that the visitors at Ahmedabad have been regular
in their attendance. On this subject, however, the
Superintendents of the other asylums have failed to
report, so perhaps this may be accepted as negative evidence of regular
attendance having been given, but these officers should have noted this point
in their reports.
33. I have refrained from making very elaborate comparisons between
the year under report and the one preceding it, because it would, to a limited
degree, be comparing a thing with itself, owing to the first three months of
the year 1875 being included in this report as well as in that for 1874-75 ;
but to admit of some comparison it was necessary to have a complete 12
months which will also enable the work of this year to be fairly compared
with the following one.
34. In conclusion I would beg to say that I concur with the Deputy
Surgeons-General in thinking all the Superintendents have done their duty
well, and have manifested their wish to keep down all unnecessary expendi-
ture by careful supervision of their establishments. I would mention Drs.
Murphy and Holmested particularly, and also Dr. Wiehe. I also notice with
pleasure the careful inspections made by the Deputy Surgeons-General,
particularly by Dr. Wyllie.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
WM. THOM,
Surgeon-General.
9
COLA'BA ASYLUM.
Superintendent.—SURGEON P. MURPHY, M.D.
Buildings.
The buildings are in good order. No improvements or alterations
worth mentioning have been made in them during
the year.
Ventilation.
2. During the monsoon, when the air is hot and stagnant, and when
every opening for ventilation is partly closed with
chicks, the air in the basement stories of the old
buildings is disagreeable, particularly in the early morning. This is partly
due to defective construction, more especially to their position, and the class
of patients who inhabit them. The ventilation in the rest of the buildings is
good.
Water supply.
3. One great defect characterizes this asylum, viz., its present scanty
supply of water ; and, what is still more regrettable,
there is very little prospect of this deficiency in so
necessary an element in every institution for the insane, ever admitting an
effectual remedy. The supply of water to this asylum from the pipes of the
the Vehar Lake is annually decreasing. This year it only continued for three
months of the monsoon ; during the other nine months of the year, water had
to be brought to the asylum by means of bullock carts.
Conservancy.
4. A latrine was constructed in the female airing-court this year by the
asylum mason, assisted by patients, for use during
the day. All the night soil is removed by sweepers
to some distance on the sea-shore. The washing of the floors and the flushing
of latrines and drains are at times defective, in consequence of the scarcity
of fresh water, and deodorants and disinfectants have to be largely used.
Drainage.
5. The ground, from having a slope towards the sea, has a fair natural
drainage ; occasionally in the monsoon a little water
collects in some of the airing courts, but it soon
disappears, owing to the very loose nature of the soil. Three main drains
convey a portion of the surface water along with the liquid matter and waste
water of the asylum to the sea shore.
Details of Treated.
6. There remained on the 31st December 1874, males 218, females 50—
total 268. In the course of the year 182 males and
27 females—total 209, were admitted, including 19
males and 3 females re-admitted. The whole number of patients, therefore,
under treatment during the year was 477—400 being males and 77 females.
Of these 48 were discharged cured, 39 males and 9 females. One hundred
and eleven were transferred to friends, 18 improved, and 93 not improved ;
of the former, 16 were males and 2 females ; of the latter, 88 and 5 respec-
tively. Thirty-three males and 8 females—total 41, died, and there remained
at the end of the year 224 males and 53 females—total 277. The total
B 667—b
10
treated shows an increase of 19 over the previous year. The rise is altogether
due to the greater number of chronic cases remaining from the year 1874.
There were consequently also fewer recoveries. The admissions show a
decrease of 25 and the re-admissions an increase of 13. The mortality is
greater by 5 than the preceding year, owing chiefly to the presence of cholera.
Daily Average Strength.
7. The daily average strength was males 212.7,
females 48.3—total 261.
Percentages.
8. The percentages on the daily average
strength were—of
Percentage to Admis-
sions of
9.
Cured
Died ...
Cured .
Died
Males ...
Females...
Males ...
Females...
Males ...
Females...
Males ...
Females...
18.33
18.63
15.51
16.56
21.43
33.33
18.13
29.63
Total ...
Total ...
Total ...
Total ...
18.39
15.70
22.96
19.61
Types of Insanity in Ad-
missions.
10. The majority of the cases admitted were suffering from mania, no
fewer than 101 or upwards of 48 per cent. of total
admissions being ill with this form of mental disease.
The following table gives the nature of the disease
in each case admitted and the result as to recovery or death within the
year:—
Type of Disease.
Mania
...
...
...
...
...
...
Dementia
...
...
...
...
...
Melancholia ... ... ... ... ...
Imbecility
...
...
...
...
...
Observation ... ... ... ... ...
Total. ...
Admitted.
101
67
39
1
1
209
Recovered.
16
7
2
...
...
25
Died.
3
4
1
...
...
8
Of the 8 deaths among the admissions, 5 occurred within the first month
after admissions, 2 lingered for three months, and one was caused by cholera.
Criminal Lunatics.
11. There remained at the end of the year of criminal insanes 43 males
and 2 females—total 45. Males 19 and female 1 were
admitted, 2 males were re-admitted, making alto-
gether 22 admissions, which, added to the remained, give a total treated of
67, of whom 64 were males and 3 females. Eleven males were discharged, of
whom 7 were cured, 1 improved, 1 escaped but was captured and brought
back and is entered as a re-admission, and 2 ceased to be criminals. Four
11
males died and there remain at the end of the year 49 males and 3 females—
total 52. Their crimes were :—
Murder ... ... ... ... ... ...
Voluntarily causing hurt ... ... ...
Rioting and mischief ... ... ... ...
House-breaking ... ... ... ...
Piracy and assault
...
...
...
...
...
Theft ... ... ... ... ... ...
Attempt at suicide ... ... ... ...
Culpable homicide
...
...
...
...
Rape
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total ...
Males.
29
12
4
5
1
10
1
1
1
64
Females.
1
...
...
...
...
2
...
...
...
3
Total.
30
12
4
5
1
12
1
1
1
67
Daily Average of Crimi-
nals employed.
12. The daily average of criminals employed during the year was 19.6.
More-than half this number, or 12.2 were Hindus, 4.0
were Mahomedans, and of other races only 3.4.
Daily Average Strength
of Criminals.
13. The daily average strength of criminals was males 46.4, females
2.0—total 48.4, against 39.4 in the previous year.
The difference is owing to the transfer, to Colába, by
order of Government, of this class of insanes from
jails and other asylums in the mofussil.
Religion, Sex, and Resi-
dence of the Lunatics.
14. Of the patients admitted, 85 males and 4 females,—total 89, or
upwards of 34 per cent. of the daily average were
Europeans, the rest were natives of India. Of Hindus,
there were males 48, females 8—total 56; of Maho-
medans, males 22, females 6—total 28 ; of Parsees, males 14, female 1—total
15; of other races, males 6, female 0.
Employment of Insanes
previous to admission.
15. The largest number of admissions, amounting to 85, is recorded
under the heading military, of whom 79 were British
soldiers, and 3 wives of soldiers; beggars come next
in order of frequency, there being 27 of this class,
domestic servants give 25 admissions, petty dealers 15; cultivators 6, sailors
6, clerks 4, native soldiers 5, and 11 are entered as unknown; the rest require
no special notice.
Ages of the Insanes.
16. The majority of admissions, as hitherto, has consisted of indivi-
duals between the ages of 20 and 40. Out of a total
of 209 admissions, the ages of 188 were within this
period ; above 40 there were 17, and under 20 only 4 admissions.
Causes of Insanity.
17. The circumstances under which most of the native patients are
sent to the asylum render it impossible to give
anything like accurate information on this head.
Amongst the admissions, the cause was unknown in 84 instances; of those who
were discharged in 57 cases, and of those who died in 22 cases. Statement
No. 7 shows the causes so far as they were ascertained.
12
General Health.
18. The general health of the patients has not been particularly good.
The total treated for bodily diseases shows an increase
of 136 as compared with the preceding year—the
increase is chiefly in fevers. The deaths from diarrhœa and dysentery are
fewer. The most important event of the year, and one which is not without
precedent in the history of the asylum, was the appearance of cholera amongst
the patients ; 15 of the inmates were attacked with this disease, of whom 9
died. A case of idiopathic tetanus was successfully treated with chloral after
other remedies had failed. A case of snake-bite recovered under the free
administration of liquor ammonia and brandy. There were 6 cases of refusal
of food, in all of whom the stomach pump had to be used. None of those cases
died. There were three unsuccessful attempts at suicide. Most of the cases
admitted were in feeble and delicate health, worn out from want and disease ;
9 were suffering from scurvy and 5 were in a dying state. The daily average
sick was 34.
Length of Residence and
Ages of those who recovered
and of those who died dur-
ing the year.
19. Of those who recovered within the year their average residence in
the asylum was 6 months; the maximum being
2 years, and the minimum 14 days. Their average
ages were 30 years. The average residence of those
who died was 5½ years, the maximum being 23½
years and the minimum 1 day ; their average age was 39 years.
Number of Insanes em-
ployed.
20. The daily average of insanes employed was males 67"1, females 6.9
against 60 and 6 respectively in the previous year
A small garden was cultivated on a piece of ground
adjoining the out-side bungalow, and also in a compound which has hitherto
been lying waste within the asylum grounds. During the greater portion of
the year most of the tailoring of the establishment was done by the patients,
and in addition to the usual cane work, there were introduced coir mat making,
bamboo basket-work, cotton weaving and corn grinding. The last is done
by the females. Eighty three iron cots and 37 wooden tubs were cleaned
and painted.
The following are the details of the working account:—
Balance remaining from the year 1874 ...
Reali-
zed.
Unrealized.
From workshop ...
„ garden produce .
Rs.
707
14
a.
9
2
p.
9
6
"Value of vegetables supplied to
lunatics ... ... ...
Value of manufactured goods handed
over to the asylum ... ...
Value of lunatics' labour at 1 anna a
day per head ...
...
...
Rs.
336
721
252
60
1,458
a.
2
12
9
0
0
p.
5
3
0
0
0
Rs.
1,057
1,770
a.
14
9
p.
8
0
Of the total realized, Rs. 981-12-2 was paid into the treasury, the balance,
Rs. 76-2-6, having been expended in the purchase of materials, previous to
the carrying out of G. R. No. 9, General Department, dated 5th January 1875
(para. 20). If the sum of Rs. 522-8-9—the cost of materials—is deducted
13
from the realized value of labour, viz., Rs. 721-12-3, the balance, Rs. 199-3-6,
is the actual cash profit, against Rs. 170 in the previous year.
Receipts and Expenditure.
21. The actual amount received from the treasury was Rs. 51,412-8-6,
showing a decrease of Rs. 5,875-12-2, as compared
with the preceding year. The decrease is owing to
a reduction in the extras of establishment, of diets, and to a less consumption
in clothing, the cost of clothing having been calculated similar to last year on
the actually worn out and condemned articles. The sum of Rs. 4,844-15-8 was
paid into the treasury. The net expenditure was, therefore, Rs. 46,567-8-10.
Average Cost of each
Patient.
22. The actual cost for each patient was Rs. 178-6-8, showing a
decrease of Rs. 21-0-8 as compared with the previous
year. The cost of each patient in relation to estab-
lishment was Rs. 89-14-1, in relation to diets
Rs. 66-15-3, to clothing Rs. 8-12-7, and to contingencies Rs. 30-4-0. The
contingencies show an increase of Rs. 6-6-9 per patient, as compared with
the previous year. This is partly owing to a change in the mode of supply of
stationary from monthly to annually, causing a larger balance on hand, partly
to a larger amount of disinfectants having been expended, but chiefly to the
increased cost of water, amounting to Rs. 1,241-2-5 over the previous year.
23. The conduct of the establishment has been in every respect most
satisfactory.
POONA ASYLUM.
Superintendent—SURGEON-MAJOR T. B. BEATTY, M.D.
Medical Officer in Charge.
Doctor Lord was in medical charge from 1st January to the end of
March. Doctor Simpson held charge from 10th May
till 29th November, from which date I have had
charge.
Buildings.
During the past year many alterations and additions, attended
with great improvement in regard to the comfort
and well being of the lunatics, have been made.
Two new padded cells have been built in the male compound. In addition
to the ten new separate cells on the male side and five on the female, two rooms
for female warders have been completed within the female yard. A room
for the mallee, opening outside the compound, has also been built. The two
old padded cells on the southern extremity of the male ward, together with
an old latrine and urinal have been removed, thereby affording space for
four additional patients. An old well, no longer required, which was danger-
ous, has been filled up. In lieu of the single tiled roof over the female ward
it has been made double, thereby affording ample protection from the sun
and rain.
Capacity of Asylum.
3. In the construction of the new separate cells, due regard has been
paid to Rule 74 of the General Asylum Rules.
These instructions have been carefully attended to
in the wards throughout the entire asylum. From the measurements sup-
14
plied by the Executive Engineer of the station, it has been calculated that,
allowing 1,200 cubic feet for males and 1,000 for females, the asylum can
now contain 61 males and 17 females, being an increase of accommodation
for 14 males and 5 females. Plates, with the information required in
paragraph 74 of the General Asylum Rules, have been printed and affixed
over each ward door.
Water Supply.
4. The arrangements for the Khurrukwasla water supply have been
completed during the year. In addition to the four
standing taps, a stone masonry tank with paved
flagging outside has been built round two of them—one for the use of the
servants of the asylum, capable of containing 116 gallons, and one of 419
gallons, for the irrigation of the garden. This latter is filled at night and
emptied in the morning. The total amount of water consumed during the
month, both for drinking and irrigating purposes, is 51,270 gallons, and the
total cost, charged by the Irrigation Department, Rs. 26-12 monthly, or
Rs. 321 per annum.
Conservancy.
5. Vast improvements have been made in the conservancy arrange-
ments since last report. The old and filthy latrines
and urinals, in both male and female sides of the
asylum, have been removed, and supplanted by those on the Jubbulpore
principle. The dry-earth system is exclusively adopted, and with such
excellent results, that the latrines which in this asylum were formerly unbear-
able to enter, are now perfectly sweet and free from smell of any description.
The night soil is carefully collected and thrown into trenches 1 foot deep
by 1 wide. It requires but 6 inches of dry earth to deodorize an equal
quantity of excreta. The admixture is allowed to remain for 8 days, after
which, in the hot season, it is found to be in a completely pulverised condition.
It is then utilised for the asylum garden. In the rains a much longer time
is necessarily required for the pulverization of the excreta.
Drainage.
6. The drainage of the asylum is surface, but
no collections of water during the monsoon are
noticed.
Remained on the 1st of
January, 1875.
7. There remained in the asylum on the 1st January, 1875, 52 patients,
of whom 41 were males and 11 were females.
During the year there have been 19 male admissions
and 6 females, showing a total number treated
during the year of 60 males and 17 females—in all 77.
Average Daily Strength, &c.
8. The average daily strength of insanes was 54.9. Five males and
two females were discharged cured, one male and
one female were sent back to their relatives im-
proved. Three were claimed by their friends before improvement had taken
place. Five were returned as otherwise. Of these two, being criminal lunatics,
were transfered to Colaba; the diseases of two were changed, one from
imbecility to general paralysis, and the other from mania acute to dementia ;
and one escaped, as reported in letter No. 124 of 30th November 1875.
There were 4 male casualties and 2 females, so that there remained in the
asylum on the 31st December 42 males and 12 females—total 54, or 2 in
excess of last year, and 24 less than the asylum is now capable of containing.
15
Percentage of Cures.
9. The percentage of cures in males on the average daily strength
was 11.6, or an increase of 7.4 over the previous year.
On admissions it was 26.3 or an increase of 10.9. In
females the case was different. The percentage of cures on their average daily
strength was 16.9 or a decrease of 11.4 compared with last year ; on admis-
sions it was 33.3 or a decrease of 16.7 compared with 1874. Of the seven
recoveries 4 occurred in the male admissions, one in the males of the remained,
one amongst the female admissions, and one amongst remained females.
Diseases Cured of Admis-
sions.
10. The diseases cured during the year were as follows:—Among
males—2 dementia, 1 monomania, 2 mania acute,
total 5. Among females 1 mania acute, 1 mania
chronic, total 2.
1 male, who had remained and was discharged cured, had suffered
from mania acute.
Percentage of Cures on
admissions and treated.
11. The percentage of cures on the admissions was for males 26.3
and for females 33.3—total 28, compared with a total
of 26.3 in the year 1874. The percentage of cures
to total number treated, was in 1875 9.09, and in the
year previous 6.80.
Residence.
12. During the past five years 49 cases were cured. Out of this number
41 were effected in the first year's residence in the
asylum, 1 in the second, 7 in the fourth. Of resi-
dents at present above 5 years all may be considered as incurable or doubtful
cases.
Religion, Sex and Residence.
13. Form No. 3 shews in detail the religion, sex and residence of
patients admitted during the year. The Hindoos
predominated, there being 13 males and 6 females,
out of a total number of 25; three Mahomedans (males), and three native
Christians (males) were admitted. Out of the 13 Hindoo males, 8 were resi-
dents of Poona, 2 were received from Sholapur, 1 from Ahmednagar, 1
from Sattara and 1 from Kaladgi. Of the 6 female Hindoos, 3 belonged to
Poona, 1 to Satara, and 2 to Belgaum. Two of the 3 Mahomedan males were
received from Poona, and the third from Satara. The 3 Native Christians
were also residents of Poona.
Occupation previous to
admission.
14. In regard to the occupation of insanes previous to admission into
the asylum but little information can be given, as
the history of each case furnished by the forwarding
Magistrates, as per Form C., is for the most part but
scantily supplied, and on arrival nothing can be ascertained either from the
patients themselves or the police guard which accompanies them.
From Form No. 4 it is seen that the occupation of 15 out of the 25
admissions was unknown. There were reported 3 labourers, 1 tailor, 1 mason,
1 karkoon, 1 goldsmith, 1 domestic servant, 1 beggar, and 1 cultivator.
Paying Patients.
15. There was only one male inmate of the asylum whose maintenance
was supplied by his relatives. No paying patient
was admitted during the year.