48
is reported in the general physical condition of the lunatics. All the Asylums were
free from epidemic disease.
4. With regard to the Criminal lunatics under confinement, the Surgeon-General
observes that "Amongst this class there are detained in the Madras Asylum several
persons who have never been pronounced insane by professional experts, and that, as
recent experience has shown, their supervision and custody is attended by grave risks
and embarrassment." This statement is calculated to create misapprehension. It is
only in the case of criminal lunatics, convicted of murder or murderous assaults and
acquitted on the ground of insanity, that the principle of perpetual detention—recently
reiterated in G.O., 27th July 1881, No. 1500—is insisted on; ordinary criminal
lunatics may always be released on recovery, or, in cases of harmless mania, on their
relatives or friends consenting to take charge of them. The total number of this class
treated in the year under review is shown as 92, against 95 in the preceding year, and
106 in 1878-79.
5. The total number of patients (criminal and non-criminal) admitted in 1880-81
was 182, or ten in excess of the previous year ; and the total treated being 512
against 482. Of the cases treated, 135 were said to owe their origin to physical, and
53 to moral causes, but in the majority of cases nothing is known. The abuse of
narcotic drugs, it is observed, still holds the first place.
* Daily average sick ..
1880-81.
33
1879-80.
21
6. Sickness and Mortality.—The increase in the percentage of sick* over last
year is apparent only, and due to the
innovation in the Madras Asylum of
entering all cases of sickness in the books,
and not serious ailments only.
†1878-79
..
..
..
..
1879-80
..
..
..
.
1880-81
..
..
..
.
21.73
13.45
12.81
The percentage of deaths to daily average † strength fell by over a half per cent.
below the figure for the previous year.
The Government are glad to note that, in
the Madras Asylum, the death-rate was
"lower than in any year since 1872, and
but for two deaths from violence would be lower than in any year on record." The
abnormally high mortality at Waltair—39.5 to daily average strength—is ascribed to
the fact that "only hopeless and incurable cases are retained in the Asylum," many of
whom are feeble, of impaired constitution, or afflicted with organic disease, and that
" a large proportion of the fatal cases were admitted in very bad or indifferent health."
‡ G.O., 27th July 1881, No. 1500, Judicial.
7. With reference to paragraph 20 of Dr. Cornish's letter, it is observed that
the Government accepted‡ the recommen-
dations of the Committee appointed to
report on the sufficiency of the establishments at the Madras Asylum to secure efficient
management. These new arrangements will, it is trusted, conduce to render super-
vision more effective, and prevent the recurrence of such a catastrophe as that referred
to in paragraph 19 of the letter above quoted.
The Government are glad to receive the Surgeon-General's testimony to Dr.
Leapingwell's skilful management of the insane, and to the able manner in which he
discharges the delicate and trying duties of his office.
§ 17. Dr. Leapingwell properly points out in his
report the advantages of early treatment in
attacks of insanity, and instances the fact
that of six sepoys admitted for acute mania,
no fewer than five made good recoveries. In
the army, attacks of mental disease are
speedily recognised and measures taken for
the treatment of the patients, but unfortu-
nately the same prompt action cannot be
enforced in civil life, and as a consequence
the proportion of recoveries is not so great as
it would be if civil and criminal insanes could
he subjected to treatment in earlier stages of
maniacal excitement.
8. The remarks § in paragraph 17 of Dr. Cornish's letter as to the advantages
of early treatment in cases of insanity will
be communicated to District Officers, who
should, where opportunity offers, impress
the people with the advantages of early
removal to an Asylum where their friends
or relatives show symptoms of insanity.
9. The financial operations of the
year are very satisfactory. The gross
charges for the Madras Asylum during
1880-81 amounted to Rs. 55,929, against
Rs. 70,62l in 1879-80. The total charges
in all three Asylums were Rs. 76,299
against Rs. 84,494 in 1879-80. The