4
REPORT ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
Census of
Census of
1901.
1911.
1906—1908.
1909—1911
•0027
•0017
0015
•0010
•0093
•0093
•0020
0032
0019
•0008
The following table gives the proportion of admissions per mille on the whole
population of the Presidency :—
Europeans aud Eurasians
Native Christians
Hindus
Muhammadans
Other Castes
5. Sexes.—In the three years under report there has been a considerable
falling off in numbers among Europeans and Eurasians, and a considerable increase
among Native Christians and Muhammadans. The proportion of admissions
among European and Eurasian females to males was 52*78 per cent.; among Native
Christians 37*80; Hindus 17*57; Muhammadans i2*59 and among other castes
42*42 per cent. The figures of this with the previous triennium compare favourably
among European and Eurasians, Hindus and Muhammadans, but among Native
Christians there has been an increase of males, and among other castes, of females.
6. Occupations.—The largest number of admissions of males was from the
labouring class, being 87 for the three years under report or 16*08 per cent. ; next in
numbers comes (i no occupation " 52 or 9*61 per cent. ; of which 14 were students.
In the previous triennium for the occupations particularized above the percentages
were 15, and 5 3 with 11 students. The numbers continue about the same under
M Agricultural labourers " being 56 and 61 in each triennium, but among" Petty
traders " there is a considerable increase.
7. Of females under '• no occupation" the admissions were 76 excluding one
student or 45*24 per cent, and " uncertain pursuit " 13 or 7*74 per cent.; for the
previous triennium the figures were 58 (35*58 per cent.) and 20 (12*2 per cent.),
respectively. Domestic servants numbered 11 (6*54 per cent.), general labourers
31 (18*45 per cent.); the corresponding percentages for the previous period were
11*04 and 15*3, respectively.
8. Previous residence.—Of the number admitted 36 Europeans and Eurasians
resided in Madras, S in the Nilgiris, 6 in Bangalore, 2 in Trichinopoly. Of Native
Christians 25 were from Madras, and I 7 from the Malabar district. Hindus num-
bered 34 from Madras, 65 from Malabar, 20 from Tanjore, 16 from South Canara
and 15 from Vi-sagapatam. Among Muhammadans 68 were of Malabar, and 18 of
Madras. Of the total, Madras contributed the largest number 179 (25*25 per cent.),
Malabar comes next 160 (22*57 per cent.), Vizagapatam 24 (3*39 per cent.), fn
1909, 3 cases are entered from Rangoon ; in 1910, 21 from Singapore, 1 from Natal,
1 from Australia and 1 from Arabia.
9. Types of insanity. —The total number treated for the triennium under
mania, which is the most common type was 837, the next being dementia with 286;
then follows melancholia 116, giving 61-41, 20-98 and 8*51 respectively percent, to
total treated; the previous triennium's percentages being 63*52, 18*86 and 9*43.
In the three years the Calicut Asylum only shows two cases of "general paralysis of
the insane," one of which was discharged " improved," and the other not improved
(otherwise). " Mental stupors " were observed at Madras only. The results of
treatment—under the common types (supra) were recovered 30*59, 2*45 and 18'10
percent, respectively ; improved 4*42, 4*89 and 9*48 per cent, respectively ; and
died 11*83, 22*03 and 14*66 per cent, respectively. Under mania a large increase
is shown under recoveries and a decrease in the number of deaths as compared with
the previous three years.
10. Causes of insanity.—The cause in 42*77 per cent, of the total number
treated is entered as " unknown" about one-fourth of these being females. Of the
remaining number of cases " moral causes " accounted for 126 (16* 15 per cent.), the
proportion of females being 1 to 1*68. Two hundred and fifty-three (162 males
and 91 females) were under treatment for insanity, the result of physical causes
not tabulated. Of the 401 cases left to be accounted for—heredity, ganja smoking