10
One (male) died suddenly in an epileptic fit ; he used to get two or three daily
towards the end ; the day he died I was absent from the station visiting branch
dispensaries. A post mortem examination was made by Hospital Assistant Koonji
Bahary Lal, but nothing worthy of note was recorded as the result.
The case of continued fever occurred early in the year ; it was of the type
approaching typhus in its character as described in my Sanitary Report.
Of the total 9, seven died during the last three months of the year. Six
of them were always weak and sickly, and appeared to have grown worse during
the severe and continuous cold of November and December.
Statement II. deals with the "Criminal Lunatics."
Up to 1878 these increased steadily. During the past three years the
average number has decreased, but the total population was higher in 18S1 than
in any preceding year, Mr. Venning, the Commissioner, is about to propose
that those who have been confined for any time on account of petty offences,
such as mischief, theft, &c., should be transferred to the non-criminal list ; even
if they had been found guilty, they would not be imprisoned for terms any
thing like the length of time they have been in the asylum.
26 males 19/females 7 remained from the previous year ; 7 males 6/female 1 were admit-
ted during the year; 1 was readmitted, he is a man named Chunder Sha, accused
of killing his own child. On the 1st July he was declared capable of making
his defence and transferred to Hoshangabad for trial : he was acquitted, but
ordered by the Chief Commissioner to be detained in the asylum and reported
upon periodically. Although apparently quite sane now, experience has proved
that men of his stamp cannot be trusted : it would be dangerous to society to
allow them to be at large, while residence in a special institution of this kind
affords them the best chance of keeping well. This man is allowed as much
liberty within the asylum premises as is safe: he works cheerfully and well at
making newar, and appears quite contented with his lot.
One of our best weavers is a Mussulman who killed his mother; he also had
been a long time in the asylum, but is subject to exacerbations of insanity every
two or three months ; he grows moody, morose, apt to become quarrelsome and
disputatious: but a little gentle management and a few doses of sedatives soon
bring him round. In the intervals he is treated as one quite sane, and allowed
to do pretty much what he likes, always of course under careful watch. For
the last ten years he has been in this state, never having gone so far as to
attempt to assault any one, but if discharged he would be certain to become
dangerous.
Six were discharged cured and capable of making their defence : one was
found not insane as already detailed, and 1 died ; 26 males 19/females 7 remained at the
end of the year.
Statement III. shows religion, sex and district of those admitted. No
Mahomedan was admitted this year. The " other castes" include Gonds, Kols,
Chamars and Mehters, i. e. lower classes of Hindus.
One Christian, a female, named Mrs. Coote, was admitted from Nimar :
her husband deserted her; she became melancholic, and on the birth of her
child was attacked with sub-acute dementia (not puerperal mania). She is
harmless and quiet: if she had any friends in good circumstances it would be
best to transfer her to them : but her only relative is her mother, who, though
willing enough to do so, is unable to look after her: she is, therefore, under all
circumstances, a fit and proper person for detention ; lately, I keep her in one of
the separate rooms of the dispensary, where she is in all respects better placed
than amongst a lot of noisy demented women. Indeed it would not be safe to
allow her child amongst them.