4
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
may not be fed properly or sometimes at all and others may be overfed. The ques-
tion of firewood also arises in this connection, since Government has recently
directed the quantity of firewood to be cut down considerably. These enclosed
sheds will prevent petty larceny by the menial servants of the establishments, and
afford valuable shelter in rainy weather. I shall address Government on this
matter on receipt of a further report from the Superintendent.
5. The surface drainage of the grounds has been unsatisfactory for some years
past, the existing drains not being quite efficient and part of the asylum is not
drained at all. A scheme has now been submitted, and all parties agree as to the
mode of drainage though there is a difference of opinion as to its final disposal.
The Consulting Architect suggests that the existing drains will be sufficient, when
improved, to drain most of the asylum grounds; that the North side and the
female enclosure should be drained separately, the drainage making its way through
the wall by separate openings. It is conceded that the surface drainage is partly
contaminated by the washings (containing urine) of the night blocks, and the Pre-
sident of the Municipality objected to this being allowed to make its way out of
the grounds at all, The subject, however, is now receiving careful attention and
will be separately submitted to Government.
6. The question of placing the water-supply on a more satisfactory footing
is under consideration and will be finally disposed of when the masonry filter
sanctioned by Government to be placed where the Red Hills water enters the
ground, has been completed.
7. ACCOMMODATION.—The following table shows the accommodation in each of
the asylums and the extent to which this was utilized during the year :—
Name of asylum.
Madras ... ... ... ... ...
Calicut
...
...
...
...
...
Waltair ... ... ... ... ...
Accommodation
available.
711
145
55
Maximum number,
any one night.
445
145
54
Except in the Calicut Asylum, where there has been slight over-crowding in
the male wards, the accommodation in the asylums was ample. In the former
institution the over-crowding lasted but for a few days, and this the Superintendent
reports was owing to the admission of a lunatic sent by the Deputy Magistrate of
Calicut Division without previous enquiring whether accommodation was available
or not.
8. GENERAL RESULTS.—On the 1st day of 1892 there were 592 insanes (450
males and 142 females) under treatment, and during the year 245 cases were
admitted against 213 in 1891, so that the total population of the three asylums
rose to 837 from 810 in the preceding year. The population for 1892 consisted
of 629 males and 208 females, or 612 civil and 225 criminal insanes. The number
discharged during the year was 181, of these 77 or 42.54 per cent. were cured.
There were 104 deaths in all showing a slight reduction in the rate of mortality
as compared with the previous year.
The subjoined table gives the death-rate for the current and the four preceding
years:—
Names of asylums.
Madras ... ... ...
Calicut ... ... ...
Waltair ... ... ...
Average for all 3 asylums ...
Percentage of deaths to daily average strength.
1888.
7.03
4.07
1.87
6.04
1889.
9.49
5.95
...
7.92
1890.
18.70
20.13
11.29
18.38
1891.
23.09
9.21
7.60
18.57
1892.
17.34
20.25
20.98
18.22