8
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
" As regards the large number of recoveries from dementia, I give them as
derived from the returns of 1891 when I was not in charge of the asylum.
Possibly they were cases of acute dementia which is very rare but curable, whereas
chronic dementia, the common form, is not. Some misapprehension may have been
caused by so many of the admission forms having the disease entered as dementia
by medical officers and others who have not made a special study of insanity."
As in the previous year epileptic insanity shows the largest percentage of
deaths. The small proportion of recoveries under this form of insanity will also
be noted—both these facts are in accordance with medical experience elsewhere.
The epileptic in whom the attacks are frequent ends in a state of incurable general
dementia.
10. The ages and nationality of those admitted. Statements 5 and 3 exhibit
no change as compared with the previous years.
There was in the Madras Asylum a considerable increase in the number of
European males admitted, the number having increased from 11 in 1890 to 19 in
1891 ; of those admitted in 1891, 15 were Military insanes as compared with 8 of
the previous year. 10 of those admitted were sent to England and 5 remained for
disposal.
11. CRIMINALS.—The accompanying table gives details of the criminal insanes
for the last five years :—
Criminal Lunatics.
Years.
1887
...
...
1888
...
...
1889
...
...
1890
...
...
1891
...
...
Remained.
M.
90
116
123
121
119
F.
18
18
19
22
18
T.
108
134
142
143
137
Admitted and
readmitted.
M.
49
19
13
15
30
F.
5
3
4
1
4
T.
54
22
17
16
34
Total.
M.
139
135
136
136
149
F.
23
21
23
23
22
T.
162
156
159
159
171
Died.
M.
8
4
4
10
9
F.
1
1
...
5
...
T.
9
5
4
15
9
Daily average strength.
M.
109.01
120.80
121.45
120.12
126.38
F.
18.40
18.29
19.52
18.76
18.39
T.
127.41
139.09
140.97
138.88
144.77
It will be seen that the average daily strength was higher than in any year
during the quinquennium. The accommodation for criminals was fully availed of
in all three asylums. In Madras there is accommodation for 82 native criminal
males ; but during the year this number was frequently exceeded, for instance in
December 92 patients of this class were under treatment, of these 10 were native
females, for whom accommodation was found in the civil wards.
There is no accommodation for female criminals in any of the asylums
except at Waltair.
The admissions, including readmissions, have increased from 16 to 34. The
increase was chiefly at Madras, where there were 24 admissions against 10 in the
previous year. There was also an increase at Calicut, from 6 in 1890 to 9 in 1891.
The mortality, which was high in the previous year, exhibits an improvement
in the year under review.
FINANCE.
12. EXPENDITURE.—The total sum expended during 1891 in maintaining the
three asylums in the Presidency was Rs. 1,42,397-11-0 against Rs. 1,18,236-14-2
in the previous year; the excess, viz., Rs. 24,160-12-10, being wholly due to an
increase in the Public Works charges which during the year under report amounted
to Rs. 49,035-15-3 against Rs. 21,283-7-2 in 1890. The excess outlay above refer-
red to occurred chiefly at Madras in connection with the new criminal enclosure, but
there was also an increase at both Calicut and Waltair. Setting aside therefore
the excess in expenditure over last year on buildings, it will be observed that the
institutions on the whole were worked more economically during 1891. The
annexed statement contrasts the chief items of expenditure during 1891 with those
of 1890.