( 46 )
The increases occur almost entirely under Acute mania and Melancholia, the
figures under the other heads showing little alteration. It is observed that in the
table of " Moral causes," next after " Religion," appears a heading " Infidelity," to
which two cases are ascribed. The heading is very vague, for it appears from former
reports that the supposed cause of insanity thus referred to is infidelity of a wife.
A similarly incorrect heading is noticed to statement IV in the appendix, which at
present runs : " Table showing the occupation of several patients during 1884-85." It
is evident that what the table is intended to show is the previous occupations of the
patients admitted during 1884-85. A little additional care would prevent the occur-
rence of such inaccuracies.
1882-83
..
..
.. ..
1883-84
..
..
..
..
1884-85
..
..
..
..
30.00
44.95
42.52
5. The percentage of recoveries to admissions during the last three years is given
in the margin. Although lower than in
1883-84, the number of recoveries during
the year under report was still satisfactory.
As usual, the highest ratio of recoveries
was to be found among patients suffering from acute mania, while chronic dementia
appears to be the least hopeful form of disease. The report does not mention the ages
of those who recovered, but the great bulk of the recoveries is found among patients
who have been less than two years in the asylums. The highest percentage of
recovery occurred in the asylum at Calicut.
6. The death and sick rates continued to be satisfactory, though the former was
a little higher (6.71 per cent.) than in 1883-84, when the rate was as low as 5.05 per
cent. of average daily strength. The sick rate remained unaltered at 5 per cent. of the
daily strength. The heaviest death rate is shown by the Waltair returns, but the
population of the asylum is very small, and the percentage of mortality is easily raised
by the reception of a few patients in bad health. In the Waltair Asylum, every
patient who was discharged as cured during the year had gained in weight since
entering the asylum, while at Calicut of the total number of inmates, 79 had gained in
weight, 7 remained in statu quo, and 28 had lost weight. The figures of weighment
are not given in the report of the Madras Asylum. This omission should be supplied
in future.
7. The report states that the total outlay on the three asylums during the year
amounted to Rs. 1,06,566 against Rs. 1,09,289 in 1883-84, but the cash accounts of
the asylum (statement IX) shows that, notwithstanding the remarks of the Govern-
ment on the report for 1883-84, the figures in columns 25 and 26 are still shown as
part of the actual expenditure in the asylums. The attention of the Surgeon-General is
directed to this matter in view to a correct form of account being furnished next year.
The actual outlay on the three institutions was as follows :—
Madras .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Vizagapatam .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Calicut
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Total ..
RS.
59,784
9,572
13,377
82,734
A.
2
13
3
3
P.
1
4
10
3
The corresponding expenditure in 1883-84 amounted to Rs. 85,576-14-3. The
decrease is explained to be mainly due to a smaller outlay by the Public Works
department. There was a falling off in the receipts from local bodies. The average
annual cost of an insane in the several asylums was as follows :—
Madras .. .. .. .. .. ..
Vizagapatam .. .. .. .. ..
Calicut
..
..
..
..
..
..
1883-84.
RS.
178
144
132
A.
12
13
8
P.
8
8
7
1884-85.
RS.
165
150
124
A.
15
8
6
P.
0
3
7
The decrease in Madras and Calicut is found almost entirely under the head of diet,
and may be ascribed to the fact that a larger number of patients can be fed at a lower
rate per head than a smaller number. The expenditure on contingencies in the
Calicut Asylum appears to be very high.