REPOBT ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
and epilepsy account in order of frequency for the largest number. As coin-
pared with the previous triennium there is a decrease in the proportion of
cases under " unknown " and " moral causes." The result* of treatment.—Cases
of "unknown" origin recovered in 107 instances (18*35 per cent.) improved in
26 (4-46 per cent.) and died -in 101 (17*32 per cent.). There has thus been an
increase in both the recovery and improvement rate—the figures for the previous
triennium being 91 (15 per cent.) and 18 (3 percent.) respectively—the good results
bein^ better seen among" males than females, as in the latter chronic and hopelessly
incurable cases are admitted. Among the known physical causes ganja smoking
accounted for 23 cases (28*75 per cent.) recovered, 2 (250 per cent.) improved
and 3 (3*75 per cent.) died. Only the male population was thus affected. Of the
cases due to heredity and congenital causes (129) 30 recovered, 4 improved and
deaths numbered 20. Recovery resulted in those due to epilepsy in 12, improve-
ment in 2, deaths in 18, of a total of 95 cases.
11. Criminal population.—Criminal lunatics are received into the Madras
Asylum only. There were 53 admissions and 4 re-admissions this year as compared
with 35 and 7 for 1910 and 41 and 3 for 1909. There were 15 deaths during the
year, 23 and 7 in the two previous years. The Superintendent assigns as a cause
for the large number of deaths in 1910 which was much above the average the
fact that many of those who died were very aged and degraded dements. Insanity
was assigned to " known causes "in. 62-24 per cent, of the criminal admissions,
less by 24*74 per cent, than in the previous triennium. Cases due to intoxicants
numbered 16 as contrasted with 8 and 5 in the previous triennia respectively.
Heredity and epilepsy contributed 24 and 18, 9 and 11 and 7 and 7—being the
figures respectively for the previous triennia. The daily average strength was
165*53, 163*40 and 156 15 for the three years respectively, the mean being 161*69
or 28*29 more than m the previous period. Discharges.—There were 34 discharges
during the year 1911 as compared with 23 in 1910 and 18 in 1909. Of the 75, 12
were transferred to the Penitentiary for further observation, 17 to the civil list
being insane on the expiry of sentence, 17 discharged recovered, 25 recovered and
discharged to stand trial, and 4 improved and handed over on bond.
12. Aeco?)imodation.—-In the Madras Asylum with the new hospital for
European females of 2<> beds, there is accommodation for 91 European males, and
81 females, and for 434 native males and 108 native females, which is 714 in all.
The Vizagapatam Asylum can accommodate 79 native males and 17 females, and
the Calicut Asylum (with the new female ward to accommodate 48 patients), 107
irales and 60 females. Increased accommodation for females, necessary in Madras
and Calicut, and alluded to in the previous triennial reports, has been supplied
(supra). At Madras 573 (426 males and 147 females) was the highest number
confined at any one time on the 18th December 1911; at Vizagapatam 76 (59
males and 17 females) on the 21st April 1910 and at Calicut 13*2 (9b males and 36
females) on the fcth October 1911. Lavatory for European mal^s and another
for European females are in process of completion in the Madras Lunatic Asylum.
13. New building*.—At the Madras Asylum in 1909, 17 single rooms for natives
in female enclosure, and four single rooms for Europeans in the female enclosure
were built. The following works which were in process of construction in 1910
were completed in 1914:—(a) A new hospital for 20 beds in female enclosure, (b)
dining room for European female patients, (r) four single rooms for Europeans in
Male Hospital, (d) sixteen single rooms for oivii natives (male), (e) Recreation
Hall, (J) two single rooms in the criminal enclosure for Europeans, (g) a leper
ward of four single rooms, (h) two observation rooms for European males, and (i)
alterations in Assistant Matron's quarters for accommodating female observation
cases. The land to the north of the Institution has not yet been acquired for
further extension. At Vizagapatam in 1909 were constructed a latrine for the
warders' lines; in 1910, (1) a block of six single cells for accommodating insanes
under observation, (2) a pucca rest-house, and (3) a hospital for females in the
female compound; in 1911, there were none. At Calicut the following new works
were completed; in 1909, a rear verandah for the Superintendent's office; in 19K)