ANNUAL RETORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
The following table compares the weighments in tlie three asylums :—
Asylums.
Of those treated during the year 1896.
Of those admitted during
the year.
3gate weight in
ds on 1st Jan-
1896.
a co
o Cl
.0? IB
* a
S 8
er and ratio per
of those who
id weight.
er and ratio per
of those who
weight.
Bi* and ratio per
of those who
ined stationery.
g
a
8
bo
m
CO
CO CO
gate weight on
ssion.
gate weight on
December or
scharge.
?r and ratio per
of those who
;d weight.
Aggre
pour
uary
Numb
cent
gain<
Numb
cent,
lost
Numb
cent,
rema
Great
poun
Great
poun
Aggre
admi
Aggre
31st
on di
Numb
cent,
gain*
Madras * ...
... 53,815 53,933 j 460
60°/.
221
42-5 7o
39
7-5 7c J-35 20 10,364 10,140 | 43
44-79 7 0
Vizagapatam
...
8,024 8,239 j 46
58-23 0 / o
22
27-85 7 0
11
13-92 7 0 }*> 8 1,920 2,043| f 16
84-21 °/ 0
Calicut
... 12,439 12,381 | 57
44-53 °/ 0
63
49-22 7 t
8
6-25 °/ 0
| 23 16
2,544 2,640 | 17
62-96 7 C
Asylums.
Of those admitted during
the year—cont.
Of those discharged during the year.
Number and ratio per
cent, of those who
lost weight.
Number and ratio per
cent, of those who
remained stationer}'.
Greatest gain in
pounds.
CO
CO
o
si
S 5
a
o
'5
ll
ii JO
<B "3
si
Aggregate weight on
discharge.
Number and ratio per
cent, of those who
gained weight.
Number and ratio per
cent, of those who
lost weight.
Number and ratio per
cent, of those who
remained stationery.
Greatest gain in
pounds.
Greatest loss
in
pounds.
Madras *
'"X
45
46-88 °/ 0
8
8-33 7 0
] 20 22 10,282 10,793 i 64
64-65 7„
29
29-29 7 0
6
606 7 0
] 30 24
Vizagapatam
... ^
3
15-79 7,
23 3
672
815 i 8
loo 8 / 0
I
...
32 ...
Calicut ...
... l
5
18-52 °/ c
5
18-52 °/ 0
]23 n 2,807| 2,998^ [ 19
70-37 °/ 0
6
22 22 7 0
2
7-41 7 0
| 23 7!
* 37 of the total treated (including 14 admitted) have been omitted from the calculation, as their weighments
were not made owing to advanced illness or other causes.
The weighments are on the whole very satisfactory. It will be seen that out of the total treated in Madras,
Vizagapatam and Caliout, the percentages of those who gained weight were, respectively, 50-00, 58'23 and 44-53. The
last mentioned at first sight appears somewhat low ; but as the condition of those discharged is the main criterion, it
will be observed that the percentage of such of those who gained weight is very high throughout.
(6) Clothing.—In the Madras Asylum all the inmates were clothed throughout
the year, except the acute maniacs who are intolerant of all covering. These
cases are very susceptible to chills, and the Superintendent reiterates that the only
way to combat diseases and mortality due to exposure to chills is the use of artifi-
cially-heated rooms in the hospital. A precis of the whole correspondence on this
subject has been sent to him, and he has been directed to submit definite proposals
after consultation with the Consulting Architect to Government and the Sanitary
Commissioner, who has, for some years, advocated the provision of artificially-heated
rooms.
Two suits of clothing were supplied to each patient in the asylums at Calicut
and Vizagapatam. In Calicut the clothing was of asylum manufacture, and jacket s
made of unserviceable cumblies were issued to the weakly insanes when necessary
(7) Industries and employments.—Agricultural industries and weaving were
the chief industries in the Madras Asylum. The sale-proceeds of the garden
produce amounted to Us. 1,079-15-11 during the year, being Rs. G30-2-0 in.excess
of the previous year. This was due to the increased cultivation of vegetables and
lucerne grass. 40,182 lbs. of vegetables were grown for asylum use. Weaving
has been carried on only to a limited extent during the year, as the sale of manu-
factured goods was not as large as could be desired, thus leaving a large stock of
manufactured goods on hand. The Superintendent was asked to put himself in
Communication with likely buyers and offer the goods at reduced rates and report
results. The results are already very encouraging. Mat-plaiting and basket,
making gave employment for a few for a short period.