3
(c) The statement below shows the percentage of inmates admitted in good
indifferent and bad health during the past three years,—
Year.
1
1935
...
...
...
1934 ... ... ...
1933 ...
...
...
Good health.
2
34.88
37.19
7.23
Indifferent health.
3
33.72
27.44
54.22
Bad health.
4
31.39
35.37
38.55
Remarks.
5
MORTALITY.
(d) There were 91 deaths during the year under review as against 23 in 1934
and 22 in 1933. The chief causes of death in 1935 were Dysentery 33 as against
5 in 1934, and Tuberculosis of Lungs 33 as against 6 in 1934.
Three unsatisfactory features are evident from the mortality return for the
year 1935, viz—
(1) There is a large increase in the death rate,
(2) there is an increase in the number of Dysentery cases,
(3) there is an increase in the number of cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
The Superintendent in his report has pointed out that out of the 33 cases of
death from Tuberculosis 16 had previously been admitted for Dysentery, and was
of opinion that the Tuberculosis was a secondary infection owing to lowered
resistance.
In my inspection report dated 17th August 1935, I drew attention to the
inadequacy of the water supply. In a Mental Hospital it is essential that all
barracks should be washed down daily but water in sufficient quantity to enable
this to be carried out satisfactorily is not available. The question of improving
the water-supply is under consideration but it is imperative that an early decision
should be come to. While both Dysentery and Tuberculosis are communicable
diseases it would appear that we are principally concerned at present with the
increase in the number of Dysentery cases. The Director of Public Health, Assam,
has already been asked to depute the Assistant Director of Public Health, Assam
Valley Division, to visit the Asylum and in consultation with Lt.-Col. H. L.
Batra, I.M.S., the Civil Surgeon and Consultant of the Hospital submit a special
report on the causes of the high mortality as a whole with a special reference to
Dysentery and Tuberculosis. On receipt of their report, further action will be
taken.
Mortality in the jails of the province was also high last year—and it will be
interesting to see whether there was a rise in the provincial mortality figure as
well—but these figures are not yet available.
Injuries and accidents.
There were no assaults or injuries worthy of note except a case of serious injury
resulting in the fracture of the skull of a patient who,
however, recovered.
FINANCE.
Statements VIII and IX.
14. (a) Excluding the receipts from paying patients and miscellaneous receipts
which are credited to Government, the total expendi-
ture for the up-keep of the Mental Hospital amounted
to Rs. 1,15,872-1-6 against Rs. 1,17,000-9-6 in 1934. The average cost per head was
Rs. 171-0-6 against Rs. 169-9-4 in 1934.
The apparent decrease in the total expenditure was due to less expenditure
under Public Works Department charges, clothing and bedding of patients and
repair and maintenance.
The total expenditure for the up-keep, therefore, of the Mental Hospital for
the year 1935 excluding Rs. 1,586-0-0 for abnormal Public Works Department
original charges amounted to Rs. 1,14,286-1-6 against Rs. 1,16,539-9-6 or an
average cost per head of Rs. 168-11-1 against Rs. 168-14-8 in 1934.