4
REPORT ON THE TEZPUR LUNATIC ASYLUM.
the board flooring, when once soiled, can never bo thoroughly cleaned. As wo have a couple of
empty wards, which can at any time be made use of, we are not likely to be at any loss for hospital
room.
G. The padded cells are badly ventilated, and, when occupied for an hour or so,, become unbearably
stuffy; this, I think, were the Asylum to remain in its present site, could be easily remedied, and tho
cells become very useful. At present, I use thom as little as possible, as I consider them most
unwholesome, and unlikely to improve the mental condition of those confined in them. Moreover
the padding is bad, and is being constantly torn in pieces by the insancs, who, if so disposed, might
easily do injury to themselves. In the female division a strong bamboo ward was built by Dr. Garden
adjoining one of the huts, so as to be under the observation of the female warder. Some of tho most
violent cases have from time to time been confined to this room, and, so far as I can see, it answers
well for tho purpose, being secluded and quiet, and at the samo time secure.
7. The water-supply is the samo as last year ; from the beginning of May to the end of Novem-
ber it has been found sufficient for all purposes, but for tho other five months the patients have to bo
sent to the Mura Burolli to bathe. The Superintending Engineer has been applied to for an
estimate of the probable cost of deepening the wells and introducing a force pump and cistern ; but
in view of the proposed changes this undertaking had better be deferred.
8. Conservancy has, as formerly, been carried out on the dry earth system, which answers
admirably. The grounds have been kept very clean and free from jungle.
I3 females an
There we
11. Tho
■Died total
[Per cent, of pn
ad
I ii
"
Admissions, Discharges, §c. (Statement No. 1.)
i———
M.
.
49
1S7C.
F.
15
1877.
1878.
ir.
32
9
1879.
-•-
Total.
64
M.
37
18
4
P.
10
2
Total.
M.
47
27
20
13
4
P.
7
9
1
Total.
34
22
1
F.
Total.
14 46
2
11
Total .... .
49
15
G4
59
12 71
40 17 57
41
16
57
Average population.
Died
.. 25-34
7
5
37
9-49
1
4
10
34-83
8
9
47
27-83
21
11
27
7-G3 35-4G
3 24
2
13
7 34
28-79
7
1
32
11-63 40-42
2
9
1
2
14 46
31-37
9
2
30
1432 45-G9
1
10
1
3
14 44
The number, 46, remaining on the 1st January, 1879, was greater by 12 than in the preceding
year, and less by 1 than 1877.
9. The admissions and re-admissions for 1877 and 1878 were nearly equal ; the large number
remaining at the end of the latter year being due to fewer discharges from all causes, including a very
small death-rate. There were only 11 admissions (male 9, female 2) in 1879, against 22, 20, and 61
for the previous years. Of those admitted, 9 were coolies from other provinces, and 2 only were
natives of Assam. The cause of the decrease in the number of admissions is probably that the
majority of the chronic lunatics of the Province, who had no friends able or willing to look after them,
were admitted during the earlier years of the Asylum's existence. This is well shown in the annexed
table, where it will be seen that tho admissions for insanity of long standing are becoming steadily
and rapidly less:—
12. Tl
in the Asylu
13. Oi
lunatics (mi
^.admissions n
[were dischai
^killed his wi
h'emained foi
Ssix months
1 stand his tri
|his admissk
tor trial.
Years.
1876
1877
1878
1879
Total
Insane under
Insane more than
six mon ths.
six months.
lotal.
M.
P. Total.
M.
F. Total.
M.
P. Total
4
1
5
4G n 59
50 14 G4
1 ...
1
21
2 23
22 2 24
6
1
7
7 9 16
13 10 23
4 ...
4
5 2 7
9
2 11
15 2 17
79 26 105
94 28 122
10. The distribution according to Provinces:—
1876.
1S77.
.
■*•
,
11.
P. Total.
Natives of Assam
32 13 45
Imported coolies, other Provinces ..... 12 2 14
Free immigrants
5 ... 5
Unknown
Total
49 15 64
22 2 24
M.
10
3
8
1
P. Total.
.... 10
2 5
...
8
...
1
'il.
10
2
1*78.
—•>
,
P. Total.
3 13
4 G
1
3 4
13 10 23
1H70.
'M.
P. Total.
2 ...
2
4
2
G
3 ...
3
11
The abovo statement SIIOWB that sinco the opening of tho Asylum, in 187(5, there have beon 122
admissions (93 males and 29 females), of theso 16 females and 54 males were natives of Assam: