16
Forms of insanity.
9. Of the 72 cases treated, 65 are returned as mania, 2 mania compli-
cated with epilepsy, 3 monomania, 1 melan-
cholia, and 1 amentia.
Causes.
10. Of the direct or predisposing causes leading to insanity but little
can be learned after patients reach the asylum ;
and as the subject is one of much interest and
practical importance, it is hoped that district, magisterial, and medical
officers, will be requested in future, before removing insane patients to a dis-
tance from their homes and from those acquainted with their antecedents, to
obtain, as far as possible, a full history of the case and circumstances which
evidently or probably have induced, or tended to the development of the
mental disease, such statement being in every case forwarded with the
magistrate's application for admission of the patient into the asylum. Of
Intoxicating drugs.
exciting, or intoxicating, indulgences the most
prolific in producing insanity are ganja-smoking,
bhang-drinking; and to the habitual use of these stimulants by men, the
large excess of male over female lunatics, as well as the greater prevalence
of crime, and also of the maniacal type of mental disease, were attributed by
Dr. Beatty in his annual reports for the last two years.
Disproportion of sexes.
11. As regards the disproportion of sexes, I do not think this entirely
holds good, for we have nearly as great a dis-
crepancy in general practice in the civil hos-
pital, not because women possess any especial immunity from disease, but
because, from the custom of the country, they keep more within their own
houses, and are generally reluctant to seek in-door hospital relief ; so with
those afflicted with mental disease, unless either very poor or very trouble-
some, their friends seldom seek to have them removed to a lunatic asylum,
but try to manage them quietly at home.
Expenditure.
12. The total expenditure—Rs. 10,744—shows an increase of Rs. 775
over that of the preceding year, while the cost
of dieting was 1,360 rupees less. The cause of
excess is the cost of a large quantity of clothing and bedding drawn on an
indent preferred in December 1872, that is, within the year 1872-73, but
not charged in that period ; the supply has lasted through 1873-74, and a con-
siderable balance is now going on in 1874-75. It was, perhaps, a mistake
drawing so large a quantity at once, especially as accounts have now come to
be periodically divided and averaged. Were it not for this there would be
a reduction this year on the proportionate total cost of the maintenance of
the institution instead of the increase, as now, over the outlay of the former
Charge for clothing, &c.
year, as well as in the average cost for each
patient, against which the heavy charge of
Rs. 37-9-9 for clothing and bedding is now debited. Before quitting this subject,
I may suggest, for consideration, whether where there is a central or district
jail factory in operation, and a district asylum at the same station, clothiing
and bedding might not be supplied, of approved pattern at cost price, or with
the addition of the usual percentage, if Government are pleased to charge
themselves with it.
General health.
13. The general health of the inmates has been good throughout
the year. No prevalent or epidemic disease
occurred. The deaths were from general
cachexia, with dropsy in two cases, in others debility, with gradual failing of
vital powers.