( 19 )
No. 25, dated 18th January 1884.
From—GEORGE SMYTH, Esquire, Deputy Commissioner, Delhi,
To—The Commissioner and Superintendent, Delhi Division.
I HAVE the honour to forward the annual report and returns of the Delhi Lunatic
Asylum submitted by the Superintendent, Dr. Ross.
2. There were 65 lunatics remaining under treatment at the commencement of the year.
During the year there were 62 admissions and 1 re-admission, bringing up the total popula-
tion to 128. Twenty-two were discharged cured, 6 were found not to be insane, 5 transferred
to friends, and 8 died. The number remaining at the end of the year was 87.
3. The year was an exceptionally healthy one, and the health of the lunatics has been
good.
4. The reduction in the cost per head and the increased profit on labour are satisfactory
indications of improved management.
5. The Superintendent makes favourable mention of the services of the establishment,
and especially notes that Mr. Bernard's management is a great improvement on that of Mr.
Cousins.
6. Dr. Ross himself devotes much time and care to this institution. The inmates of
the asylum are well fed and kindly treated, and their employment on light labour, besides
yielding a profit, is of much benefit to their mental condition.
ASYLUM REPORT FOR 1883.
Population.
Sixty-five remained at the close of last year, and 63 were admitted, making a popula-
tion of 128 : of these 22 were discharged cured, 5 were
given over to friends as improved, and 6 were discharged,
proving not insane.
Sickness and mortality.
II. There were 90 admissions into hospital, fever, dysentery, diarrhœa, pneumonia,
abscess, contusion, and debility causing the chief number
of admissions. The daily average sick was 3.23. There
were 8 deaths,—1 from remittent fever, 1 from meningitis, 1 from asthma, 2 from pneumo-
nia, 2 from diarrhœa and 1 from debility.
The year was remarkably healthy.
Dry-earth system.
III. The dry-earth system instituted by Dr. Fairweather is strictly adhered to; without
it the abominably filthy habits of some of the patients
would cause a plague.
Criminal lunatics.
IV. There were 7 remaining; 5 were admitted; 1 was discharged, being transferred
to the jail on cure.
Types of insanity.
V. Thirty-one were admitted from acute mania, 8 from chronic mania, 9 from
melancholia, 2 from acute dementia, 4 from chronic dementia,
3 from idiotcy, 1 from monomania.
There was one sad case, that of Miss Bayley, a governess, who died shortly after her
admission from acute mania: her condition was most hopeless and distressing. Another death
from the same cause occurred,—an old woman named Malúki, who died worn out from incessant
restlessness which no remedies had power to control.
There were some peculiar lunatics in during the year.
Juma, a Pathán from Ráwalpindi. He considers himself a son of Colonel Mackeson, and
says he was with him in the Cabul War of 1842.
Imrit states that he is descended from the Sen dynasty, and that he has given India
on contract for 80 years to the English, after which time he will drive them out and divide
the country between the Russians and Chinese.
Habíb Shah, a dirzy. His delusion is that he is the last of the Moghal dynasty, and has
been sent by Nizám-ud-díu Auliah to take possession of the throne of Delhi. He was captured
sitting on the throne in the Díwáui-Am in the Fort, and how he got up on to it, nobody
can tell.
Muhammad Husain, Masta, and Maha Rám, mentioned in last year's report, were all
discharged cured.
Old Roshan and Begum are still alive and well.
There were some very good performers on musical instruments. Hardeo Dás, discharged
cured, played the sitár very well indeed; and Pahulwán, Ruguáth, Harphúl, Ingo,—all muisi-
cians. A good deal of music and card-playing goes on when the lunatics get together in the
evening.
Amusement helps to cure lunacy as much as any thing else, besides having a humaniz-
ing effect on the violent patients.