NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
12
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
The changes in the staff have been as follows:—
Senior Apothecary Watts was removed and succeeded by Senior Apothecary
Antonio.
Mrs. Hennon, the Matron, was transferred to a similar post in the Hospital for
Women and Children. Mrs. Fellowes, Assistant Matron, was promoted to Matron,
and Miss McKay appointed Assistant Matron. Mrs. Wakefield, the Assistant
Matron, in 1884-85, took two months' leave and subsequently resigned.
Dr. Bain reports that the conduct of the staff, during his term of office, was
on the whole satisfactory.
The Senior Apothecary, Mr. Antonio, has been of great assistance to me, and
performs his duties to my entire satisfaction.
The Steward, K. Annu Chetty, was reported by me for carelessness in the
superintendence of his department, and was fined Rs. 10 by the Surgeon-General
in December, 1885. He is now performing his duties fairly well.
First-class European Attendant Lawrence was fined Rs. 5 by the Surgeon-
General on a report submitted by me as to his conduct in December, 1885, and
cautioned that a repetition would be punished with reduction or dismissal. The
Native attendants are, with few exceptions, an untrustworthy lot of men and
give a great deal of trouble owing to carelessness in looking after the inmates
committed to their charge.
Five Native attendants were dismissed for ill-treatment of patients ; 6 for
stealing food, &c.
Pensioners are employed as attendants, and with few exceptions, the work
seems distasteful to them.
Dent's portable tell-tale clocks, introduced in 1883, are now in use all over the
asylum. Since the introduction of washing machines, 4 inmates in charge of
Native attendants are doing the work of the dhobies with satisfactory results.
IV.—THE PATIENTS.
(a.) Remained on the 1st April 1885—
—
Males ...
...
...
...
Females ... ... ...
Total ...
Grand Total ...
Europeans and
Eurasians.
52
29
81
Natives.
227
72
299
380
During the year (from 1st April to 31st December 1885) the following
were—
Admitted.
136
Discharged.
56
Died.
15
Escaped.
3
Total treated.—Europeans and Eurasians 103, natives 413. The maximum
reached on any one day was 450 and the average daily strength 417.64.
—
Males
...
...
...
Females
...
...
...
Total ...
Grand Total ...
Remained 31st December 1885.
Europeans and
Eurasians.
54
34
88
Natives.
269
85
354
442
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
13
(b.) Admissions.—Europeans and East Indians 21, and natives 115.
The admissions were—
European males
Military ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Civil ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Criminal (Military) ... ... ... ... ... ...
European females ... ... ... ... ... ...
Eurasian males—
Military ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Civil ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Criminal ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Eurasian females ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Native males—
Military ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Civil ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Criminal ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Native females—
Civil ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Criminal ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Total ...
7
...
...
...
1
6
...
7
12
70
8
23
2
136
There were 7 European Military insanes admitted during nine months, of whom
5 were sent to England, 1 discharged in India and the other sent to duty.
The following table shows the increase in the number of Eurasian male and
female patients, as compared with that of the previous year :—
—
European males ... ... ... ...
Do. females ... ... ... ...
Eurasian males ... ... ... ...
Do. females ... ... ... ...
Native males ... ... ... ...
Do. females ... ... ... ...
Total admitted ...
1884-85.
5
...
14
5
97
33
154
From 1st April
to 31st Decem-
ber 1885.
7
...
7
7
90
25
136
Increase, 1st
April to 31st
December 1885.
2
...
...
2
...
...
4
Decrease, 1st
April to 31st
December 1885.
...
...
7
...
7
8
22
The diseases of the European patients were as follows:—
Diseases.
Acute mania ... ...
Melancholia ... ...
Observation ... ...
Chronic dementia ... ...
Total ...
European males.
Military.
1
4
1
1
7
Civil.
...
...
...
...
...
Criminal.
...
...
...
...
...
European females.
Military.
...
...
...
...
...
Civil.
...
...
...
...
...
Criminal.
...
...
...
...
...
Three criminals, two of whom were murderers and the other charged with
attempt to murder, have been reported on as showing no signs of insanity in July
last:—
(c.) Types of insanity—
Acute mania
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Chronic mania ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Melancholia
...
...
...
...
...
... ...
Acute dementia ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Chronic dementia ... ... ... ... ... ...
Epilepsy ... ...
...
...
...
...
...
Puerperal mania ... ...
...
...
...
...
Observation
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total ...
4
28
40
33
3
15
1
1
15
136
14
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
(d.) Causes.—The following list shows the cause in a few cases only:—
Causes.
Physical.
Congenital ... ...
Sun-stroke ... ... ...
Epilepsy ... ... ...
Narcotic drugs ... ...
Intemperance ... ...
Puerperal mania ... ...
Privation ... ... ...
Hereditary ... ... ...
Moral.
Religion ... ... ...
Family quarrel ... ...
Grief ... ... ...
Loss of property ... ...
Total ...
Europeans.
...
1
...
...
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
2
Eurasians.
...
...
...
...
...
1
...
1
1
1
1
...
5
Natives.
1
...
2
11
...
...
1
4
...
...
...
1
20
Total.
1
1
2
11
1
1
1
5
1
1
1
1
27
(e.) Age—
4 patients were under 20 years of age.
103 patients were between 20 to 40 years.
29 patients were between 40 to 60 years.
(f.) Caste—
Europeans and Eurasians ... ... ... ... ...
Hindus
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Muhammadans ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Native Christians ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Other castes
...
...
...
...
...
...
23
91
16
5
1
(g.) Recoveries—
Disease.
Acute mania ... ... ...
Chronic mania ... ... ...
Melancholia ... ... ...
Acute dementia ... ... ...
Observation ... ... ...
Number.
9
2
13
1
5
Percentage to
Admissions.
32.14
5.00
39.39
33.3
33.3
Total treated.
14.51
.83
13.00
11.1
19.23
Years.
1884-85 ... ... ...
1st April to 31st Dec. 1885.
Number.
54
30
Percentage
to total
treated.
10.95
5.81
(h.) Escapes.—Three men escaped, of these two were criminals, and the other
an ordinary patient. Measures were taken for their re-capture, but without success.
(i.) Suicide.—None.
(j.) Births.—An ordinary civil female lunatic was admitted into the asylum
advanced in pregnancy and was delivered of a female child.
(k.) Sickness and Mortality.—Considering the emaciated condition in which
some of the patients, male and female, were admitted, the health on the whole has
been fairly good. 126 male and 71 female patients were admitted into hospital and
treated, as will be seen below, and of these 15 died—11 males, 4 females :—
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
15
—
Treated in hospital ...
Died ... ...
1883.84.
227
30
1884-85.
241
19
1st April to
31st Decem-
ber 1885.
197
15
Percentage of deaths to average daily strength of those treated in hospital:—
—
Strength ... ...
Deaths ... ...
1883-84.
12.70
149.60
1884-85.
11.75
212.76
1st April to
31st Decem-
ber 1885.
14.50
103.44
Death-rate per cent. to average strength—
Europeans and East Indians ... ... ... ... ...
Natives, Civil ... ... ... ... ... ...
Do. Criminal
...
...
... ... ... ...
Causes of death—
Meningitis
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Apoplexy
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Fatty heart
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Phthisis pulmonalis
...
...
...
... ... ...
Chronic diarrhœa
...
... ... ... ... ...
Do. Bright's disease
...
...
Total ...
2.28
4.60
1.46
2
4
1
5
2
1
15
(l.) Treatment.—May be divided into three sections—
(1) Therapeutic.
(2) Moral means.
(3) Hygienic means.
Tonics and strengthening remedies, such as the very generous diet afforded in
the asylum are the most beneficial.
Bromide of potassium has been found useful in reducing the number of fits in
mild cases of epilepsy.
Maniacal excitement is better allayed by moral means and in urgent cases by
baths, opiates and such like. Cold shower baths produce decidedly sedative effects.
The moral means are non-restraint, and rest, classification, association, occupa-
tion and amusement.
The hygienic condition of the asylum is excellent. A system of close super-
vision as to the condition of the wards is carried out, and all bedding daily exposed
to the sun and air.
Free use is made of tar, disinfecting powder, dry earth, lime washing and
flushing with water. Every portion of the ground is inspected and kept clean.
There is a good supply of drinking water from wells.
The returns noted in the Proceedings of Government, Judicial Department,
and order thereon, No. 2371, dated 5th September 1885, as regards the ages of
those recovered, weighments, &c., are enclosed.
V.—OCCUPATION AND AMUSEMENT.
Varied according to the class of patients, and, with the exception of a few
European, East Indian and noisy native patients, none are idle.
Weaving, tailoring and needlework, washing, cooking, cleaning, hewing wood,
grass cutting and weeding, carpentry, smiths' work, masonry, gardening, drawing
water, cutting road and clipping hedges, watering plants and care of flower gardens,
are the chief occupations.
16
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
Weaving is carried on in the criminal enclosure; four English looms are at
work, an average of 15 yards of cloth daily being woven. It furnishes a variety of
occupations suited to the powers of the different patients, such as spinning,
winding, starching of thread, filling of spindles, &c.
Two tailors cut out the cloth, which is made up by the female patients,
assisted by the tailors and a sewing machine.
The washing is now done entirely in machines purchased by Dr. Dobie from
Messrs. Bradford and Co., London, and is a great improvement on the old dhobie
system, the wear and tear of the clothes being reduced to a minimum. A great
saving is also effected.
The large machine is used for all the clothing and bedding of the male patients,
and washes 30 pieces in a quarter of an hour. A warder and six patients are told
off for the work, which is very easily learned by any one.
The small machine is worked by the female patients, and is capable of washing
10 or 15 pieces in a quarter of an hour.
By a little care and attention to the instructions given, the clothes are washed
very clean, and it is astonishing the amount of pleasure and appreciation shown by
the inmates at the result. Gardening is productive of much good amongst the
inmates. Vegetables required for the diets are supplied to the contractor;
cocoanuts, tamarind, lucerne and grass sold, and the proceeds used to decorate the
grounds with shrubs, evergreens, and crotons, the planting and care of which are
entrusted to patients who interest themselves in the work. A few patients assist
at the cook-room and in carrying round food, others sweeping and cleaning the
grounds.
A carpenter's and blacksmith's shed have been erected near the office and
one or two inmates found to be excellent workmen.
Amusements.—By the kind permission of Colonel St. Maur Wynch and officers
22nd N.I., the band of the regiment played once a month. The annual Christmas
treat proved a great success and afforded much enjoyment to the inmates. Thanks
to the liberality of the public.
The library is kept up, and books, papers, pictures, &c., supplied to those
wishing them. An exhibition of the magic lantern is a source of much pleasure to
the inmates and is given occasionally.
Weekly services are held by Rev. J. Etty.
VI.—OFFICIAL VISITORS.
The asylum has been visited regularly during the year.
VII.—VACCINATION.
Is regularly performed when necessary.
I certify that the orders respecting the custody of poisonous drugs issued by
the Inspector-General, Indian Medical Department, dated 23rd January 1863, were
carefully carried out.
22
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
LUNATIC ASYLUM, WALTAIR,
FOR THE YEAR 1885.
I HAVE the honor, with reference to G.O. No. 20, Mis., dated 5th January, 1886,
to forward the report on the Lunatic Asylum, Waltair, for the calendar year
1885. The Government Order in question was only received on the 14th January,
1886, hence the apparent delay in submission.
Remained ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Admitted ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Re-admitted ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Total treated ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Discharged cured ...
...
... ... ... ... ...
Do.
otherwise ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Do.
not improved ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Disease changed ...
...
...
...
...
...
Transferred.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Died
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Remaining ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
54
11
...
65
10
...
1
...
...
5
49
During the past year 54 males and 11 females came under treatment; of this
number, 45 males and 9 females remained on the 31st December, 1884.
Admissions.—Of the number admitted, 9 were males and 2 females. The
numbers are the same as in 1884-85, but considerably less than the numbers
admitted annually since 1877-78. No civil insanes were refused admission, but,
owing to the crowded state of the criminal enclosure, insanes of this class could
not be admitted. Five of the admissions come under the head of acute mania,
2 under that of chronic mania, 1 of melancholia, 1 of acute dementia, 1 of
chronic dementia, and 1 of puerperal mania.
One criminal male insane was admitted; the cause of his insanity was said
to be due to fever. The crime committed by him is shown in the subjoined table.
Name.
H. Chinnigadoo ... ...
Age.
35 years.
Sex.
Male ...
Caste.
Hindu ...
Occupation.
Cultivator ...
Crime.
Murder.
The duration of the mental disease prior to admission in those admitted
was—
—
Under 6 months ... ...
Between 6 and 12 months ...
Do.
1 and 5 years ...
Do,
5 and 10 years ...
Over 10 years ... ...
Unknown ...
... ...
Total ...
Criminals.
Males.
1
...
...
...
...
...
1
Females.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Civil.
Males.
2
...
1
...
...
5
8
Females.
...
...
1
...
...
1
2
Military.
Males.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Females.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
This table cannot be trusted to very much, as many of the insanes are brought
in by the Police, who really know nothing of the individuals' antecedents.
24
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
Treatment.—Moral and hygienic, kindness in discipline, freedom from
restraint, regular hours, good food, exercise and occupation. In the case of noisy
and excitable and epileptic patients, cold douche, blisters and sedatives, such as
the bromides of potassium and ammonium, Chloral hydras, Cannabis Indica, &c.,
have proved beneficial, but the latter only temporarily.
The system of isolating noisy and excitable patients, as well as those that
are dangerous, by solitary confinement is never resorted to except in the interests
of the other lunatics when specially called for, and even then never longer than
absolutely necessary.
Occupation.—Improving the asylum grounds, gardening, planting avenue and
fruit trees, drawing and carrying water and repairing roads. The weakly and
infirm patients keep the grounds clean by sweeping and picking up leaves.
The asylum grounds are cleanly kept, and have been considerably improved
by planting, where necessary, mango and jack trees. The aloe hedge surrounding
the asylum has been repaired and is now in good order. The kitchen garden has
been extended, and the vegetables, &c., raised were sold to the contractor and
realized Rs. 73-15-0.
Amusement—At Christmas and Ponghul the lunatics had their usual treat,
consisting of fowl-curry and rice, sweetmeats, cakes and fruit, of which they
partook heartily, and afterwards amused themselves by singing and dancing.
Financial.—(a.) The average monthly cost, including the Superintendent's
allowance, for each patient has been for the past three years as follows :—
Years.
1883-84 ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
1884-85 ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
1885 ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Natives.
RS.
12
12
13
A.
14
8
0
P.
6
8
6
(b.) Total annual cost of an insane under the various headings :—
—
Establishment ... ... ...
Diets
...
...
...
...
Clothing and bedding ... ...
European medicines ... ...
Bazaar medicines ... ...
Perishables and contingencies ...
1883-84.
RS.
92
52
4
0
0
4
A.
10
10
7
14
0
2
P.
8
6
1
8
3
6
1884-85.
RS.
93
43
5
2
A.
7
6
1
13
P.
11
3
9
9
...
5 10 7
1885.
RS.
104
43
2
1
0
4
A.
4
6
13
8
0
5
P.
2
3
11
1
1
9
(c.) Expenditure and receipts—
—
Expenditure ... ... ...
Receipts ...
...
...
1883-84.
RS.
7,668
7,668
A.
10
10
P.
0
0
1884-85.
RS.
7,894
7,894
A.
10
10
P
6
6
1885.
RS.
7,896
7,896
A.
8
8
P.
5
5
(d.) Financial statement—
—
Medical Officer's allow-
ance ... ... ...
Medical Subordinate's
salary and allowances.
Servants' wages ...
Dieting sick ... ...
Clothing and bedding...
Europe medicines
...
Bazaar medicines ...
Perishables and con-
tingenoies ... ...
Total ...
1883-84.
RS.
600
2,092
1,896
2,607
220
45
0
206
7,668
A.
0
0
6
3
2
6
10
12
10
P.
0
0
8
4
6
9
0
9
0
1884-85.
RS.
600
2,358
1,944
2,275
268
150
A.
0
14
0
13
14
0
P.
0
7
0
1
0
0
...
297
7,894
0
10
10
6
1885.
RS.
600
2,718
1,944
2,190
145
76
0
220
7,896
A.
0
14
0
12
4
12
5
7
8
P.
0
7
0
9
0
7
0
6
5
Increase.
RS. A. P.
...
*360 0 0
...
...
...
...
0 5 0
...
360 5 0
Decrease.
RS. A. P.
...
...
...
85
123
73
0
10
3
4
0
5
...
76
358
9
7
4
1
* Due to increased pay and allowances.
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
25
The whole of the civil male and female lunatics have been maintained by the
various Municipal and Local Fund Boards, except those of unknown abode, their
charges of maintenance being met from the medical " Provincial" service, vide
G.O., No. 677, of 13th March 1884, Judicial. The criminals have been maintained
by Government.
Buildings.— The female cottage was vacated in March, and the inmates, at
the suggestion of the Official Visitors, were accommodated in the hospital building;
they have since returned to the cottage, the verandah of which is sadly in need of
repairs. The buildings in the criminal enclosure also underwent repairs. The
accommodation provided for insanes of this class is insufficient, there being 16
criminals in the asylum and room in the enclosure for only 10. The extension
of the enclosure and the enlargement of the building is now under the consideration
of Government. The verandahs of the office and store-room are in a dangerous
state. The warders' lines also need repair.
Water-supply.—The water-supply is good and sufficient for ordinary require-
ments. The platform and railings of the well were repaired in October and are
now in good condition. The masonry work of the filtering cistern was also
repaired, but the work was not executed carefully, and the contractor has agreed
to do it again without further expense.
Establishment.—Surgeon-Major J. Smith was in medical charge from 1st
January to 16th August, when I relieved him.
Assistant Apothecary T. A. S. Connor was in subordinate charge from 1st
January to 7th December. When he went on privilege leave he was relieved by
Third-class Hospital Assistant T. Sooryanarayana, No. 400, who was in charge up
to 21st December, when he was relieved by Assistant Apothecary T. A. Bay. The
attendants are not provided with any uniform and appear often in a dirty and
disreputable state. When spoken to regarding their dress, they invariably reply
" that their clothes are with the dhoby." Two white suits per annum, and one suit
of warm clothing every second year, consisting of Police cloth, should be provided.
The annual cost would amount to Rs. 50.
Conduct.—Mr. Connor performed his duties satisfactorily. I have been much
pleased with Mr. Bay since he has been in charge.
Head Warder.—Has conducted his duties efficiently, and is very attentive
and zealous.
Attendants, Male and Female.—Some have worked satisfactorily, while others
have been careless and inattentive, needing punishment.
Vaccination.—Every inmate is vaccinated on admission.
Official Visitors.—Have visited the asylum monthly.
I certify that the orders respecting the custody of poisonous drugs issued by
the Inspector-General, Indian Medical Department, dated 23rd January 1863, were
carefully carried out.
A. J. STURMER, Surgeon,
KORAPUT,
Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum, Waltair.
6th February 1886.
7
26
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
LUNATIC ASYLUM, CALICUT,
FOR THE YEAR 1885.
I HAVE the honor to submit the Annual Report on the Lunatic Asylum, Calicut, for
the year 1885. In obedience to G.O. No. 20, Mis., dated 5th January 1886,
the report under review is for nine months, commencing from 1st April to 31st
December, 1885, and in future the report will be for the calendar year.
I.—BUILDINGS.
The asylum buildings are in a fairly good state of repair. Nothing has been
added to them since last report. There is an urgent want for additional buildings,
which were sanctioned in G.O., No. 2876, dated 18th November 1884, but the work
has been postponed owing to want of funds. To meet the difficulty, I proposed
and, the Official Visitors concurring, Government have, in their Order, dated 6th
January 1886, No. 33-D, P.W., sanctioned the conversion of the sweepers' quarters
into a convalescent ward, whereby civil males can be accommodated. This will
permit of the original estimate for additional buildings, amounting to Rs. 10,346,
being postponed for the present, with the exception of additions to the criminal
ward, which should be done at once. At present there are 9 lunatics in various
jails waiting for admission.
(a.) Water-supply is ample and good, but a separate well in the criminal
enclosure is necessary, as referred to in my last report.
(b.) Grounds are very extensive and large; the proposed additions can be
erected without any inconvenience or overcrowding.
II.—INMATES.
The following figures give at a glance the various statistics of the last nine
months of the calendar year ending 31st December, 1885 :—
Remained
...
...
...
...
...
...
Admitted
...
...
...
...
...
...
Re-admitted ...
...
...
... ... ...
Total treated
Discharged " cured " ... ... ... ... ...
Transferred " improved " ... ... ... ...
Do.
to Madras Asylum ... ... ...
Do.
to friends " not improved "
... ...
Deid.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Remaining " cured " ... ... ... ... ...
Do. ... ... ... ... ... ...
Average strength for the year ... ... ...
Do. sick in hospital ... ... ... ...
Percentage of cures to average strength ... ...
Do.
do.
to admissions ... ... ...
Do.
of deaths to average strength ... ...
Do.
do.
to admissions ... ... ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
108
...
...
...
...
...
...
114
31
1
146
18
1
10
1
7
109
113.28
3.39
15.89
56.25
6.17
21.87