REPORT ON THE TEZPUR LUNATIC ASYLUM, 1881.
No. 145D., dated Shillong, the 24th March 1882.
From—DR. J. J. CLARKE, Deputy-Surgeon-General, H. M.'s Forces, Eastern Frontier
District,
To—The Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam.
I HAVE the honour to forward the Annual Report on the Tezpur Lunatic Asylum
for 1881, prepared and submitted by the Superintendent, Surgeon G. A. Warburton.
2. The average population of the Asylum was 5T64, against 45*85 of 1880, and the
number of admissions and re-admissions, 24, against 22 of the previous year. Of the year
under review 8 were discharged, 7 died, 55 remained, against 13 discharged, 7 died, 40
remained of the year preceding.
3. Of the average population of the Asylum, 51*64, there were 73 admissions to
hospital, against 33 admissions, out of a population of 45*85 of 1880. The chief causes of
sickness were fevers 29, lung diseases 20, bowel-complaints 14, and more than half the admis-
sions (38) were during the last three months of the year, chiefly from fever and diseases of the
respiratory system. The daily average of sick throughout the year was 2*63, against 1*23
of the previous year. There were 7 deaths. 5 of these from chest affections. 1 from debility,
1 from dysentery. The death-rate was 13*55 per cent, of total daily average population,
against 15*26 of 1880. Of the 7 persons who died, 3 were admitted to the Asylum during
the year, and were at the time of admission in a broken-down state of health; the other 4
were inmates of previous years with debilitated and diseased constitutions.
4. 1 beg to invite attention to the suggestion made by the Superintendent in paragraph
2 of his report, regarding the attendance at the Asylum Committee meetings of the Overseer
of the Public Works Department. Such an arrangement would probably facilitate action in
the matter of repairs and alterations which the Asylum from time to time requires. It has
been finally determined not to abandon the present buildings, and there is, therefore, no
need now to delay in carrying out those necessary improvements which have been so
long pending.
5. A scheme has been submitted for the provision of more accommodation, so that
the criminal lunatics may be separated from the non-criminal. The cells for violent
lunatics are to be properly padded, better lighted, and better ventilated. The water-
supply, at present in a most unsatisfactory state, is, I understand, at once to claim attention,
and cisterns with taps are to be introduced, both for a supply of water for drinking as well
as for bathing purposes.
G. Of the total population, 51*64, of the Asylum 41*17 have been engaged in suitabl e
employ throughout the year, and of this number 1408 have been employed in manufac-
tures. The income from their labour amounted to Rs. 429-9-9, and this sum has been
carried to the credit of the Asylum as net profit, against the net profit of the sum of Rs.
179-5-6 in 1880.
7. The population of the Asylum was greater during the past than in any previous
year. The total expenditure, therefore, was greater, namely, Rs. 7,454-1-3, against Rs.
6,874-6-3 of the previous year. But the cost of diet was less per head by Rs. 5-6-4,
the total cost of each inmate amounting only to Rs. 48-4-9, against Rs. 53-11-1 in 1880.
This decrease in the cost of diet arose from the fall in the general price of provisions.
The total cost per head of population was during the vear Us. 141-7-0, against Rs. 143-9-0
of 1880.