NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
4
The profits in the manufactory department were Rs. 5,247-14-6 against
Rs.6,802-1-0 or an average of Rs.79-4-4 per head of inmates employed on manu-
factures against Rs.86-9-2 in 1936.
The decrease in profit was due to the fact that number of patients suitable for
employment in manufactures was comparatively less. The average number
employed in manufactures was 66.19 against 78.57 in 1936.
The principal item of expenditure was the cost of "Diet" which amounted to
Rs.45,633-7-6 against Rs.44,002-3-3 in 1936. Average cost per head was
Rs.64-10-6 against Rs.64-6-3 in 1936.
MISCELLANEOUS
Employment of patients.
15. (a) Male patients are employed in the cultivation of vegetables, sugar-cane,
jute, manufacture of gur, fencing of garden, cane and
bamboo works, carpentry, masonry, tailoring, dairy
works and the normal domestic services.
Females are employed on paddy-husking, preparation of spices, mending
clothes and other house-hold works. Weaving is done both by male and female
patients.
(b) The special methods of treatment adopted were Hydrotherapy, special
dieting, including artificial feeding in cases exhibiting active refusal of food, and
occupational therapy.
Garden.
(c) The hospital garden continues to do well,
yielding some profit and an useful addition to the
dietary.
Accommodation.
(d) Accommodation available at the end of the year including all types of
wards, cells and infirmaries was 566 for males and 124
for females or a total of 690.
The maximum number confined on any one night during the year was 721
against 698 in 1936.
Conservancy.
(e) Night-soil is trenched in a selected site on the garden land and infected
stools are incinerated outside the enclosure.
Water-supply.
(f) Insufficiency of water in the male section still
continues.
Dairy.
(g) Livestock supplied by the Upper Shillong Farm is
as follows:—
—
Remaining on 31st Decem-
ber 1936.
Received during 1937 ...
Total ...
Died ... ... ...
Destroyed ... ...
Sold or transferred ...
Remaining on 31st Dee. 1937
Cows
3
2(a)
5
...
...
...
5
Cow-calf
3
2(b)
5
...
1
...
4
Bull-calf
2
3(b)
5
...
...
...
5
Heifer
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bull
1
..
1
...
...
...
1
Remarks
(a) Received from the
Upper Shillong Govern-
ment Farm.
(b) Born at the Hospital
Dairy.
Poultry.
(h) Fresh eggs, when available, were issued for the
patients.
Cleanliness.
(i) Great care was taken in the difficult matter of personal cleanliness of the
inmates. Their clothing was boiled and washed weekly.
Clothing.
(j) Good and sufficient.
Discipline.
(k) Good.
Amusement and Recreation.
(l) Mental patients were kept amused with music, band and games. Literate
inmates were provided with books and newspapers.
5
Inspection.
(m) The hospital was visited during the year by the
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Assam, once.
Meetings.
(n) The Board of Visitors held 12 meetings during the year and individual
member of the board paid 7 additional visits.
The Female Section of the Hospital was visited twice by the Lady Visitor
Sreejukta Hirabati Gohain Baruani.
The whole population was regularly treated with vermifuge and vermicide for
hook worms and other intestinal parasites.
Skin diseases and cases of Pyorrhœa Alveolaris were regularly attended to.
New admissions were always regularly vaccinated against small-pox and inocu-
lated with cholera vaccine as a prophylactic measure.
During the year under report 175 blood specimens (Serum) were sent to the
Pasteur Institute, Shillong, for Wassermann Test of which 26 were positive and
they were given Antisyphilitic treatment. In addition, the following were also sent
to the Pasteur Institute, Shillong :—
Blood Serum for Widal Test ... ... ... ... ...
Stool for cultural examination ... ... ... ...
6
1
The following number of specimens were examined in the hospital labora-
tory :—
Blood ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Urine
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Sputum ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Stools ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Pus
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Smears from different organs after autopsy ... ... ... ...
No. of specimens
421
142
135
561
1
23
General remarks.
The most urgent requirement for the proper management of the Mental
Hospital is an adequate water supply. The next items,
in order of urgency, are provision of more keepers, which
cannot be given effect to for want of accommodation, and a steam disinfector.
Other requirements have been reported in the last year's report.
A grant of Rs. 16,000 has been sanctioned by Government in 1937 to the
Tezpur Municipal Board towards the improvement of water supply of the Tezpur
Mental Hospital. The Board is making a detailed plan but cannot undertake the
work till a Government loan of Rs.15,000 is sanctioned.
The acute inadequacy of water supply is contributing to the high rate of
mortality in the Mental Hospital.
The successful management of the institution has been maintained by
Dr. S. N. Chowdhuri and by Lt.-Colonel H. L. Batra, I.M.S., who acted for him
while on leave, and who acted as consultant to the Institution when not actually
in charge of it. Khan Sahib Dr. Maulvi Mokhtar Hussain continued to do good
service as Deputy Superintendent.
E. S. PHIPSON,
Colonel, I.M.S.,
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Assam.
Statement I
8
STATEMENT
Showing the Admissions, Discharges, etc., of Mental patients in the Mental
1
Name of Men-
tal Hospital
Mental Hospital,
Tezpur
1937 ..
1936 ..
1935 ..
2
Remaining from previous year
M.
562
558
560
F.
126
115
125
T.
688
673
685
3
Admitted
M.
127
88
144
F.
14
24
19
T.
141
112
163
4
Re-admitted
M.
6
11
9
F.
2
1
...
T.
8
12
9
5
Total population
M.
695
657
713
F.
142
140
144
T.
837
797
857
6
Discharged
A
Cured
M.
65
51
58
F.
8
4
11
T.
73
55
69
B
Transferred to friends
Improved
M.
8
4
9
F.
3
..
3
T.
11
4
12
Not improved
M.
3
6
8
F.
..
2
..
T.
3
8
8
C
Otherwise
M.
..
..
4
F.
..
..
...
T.
..
..
4
D
Total
M.
76
61
79
F.
11
6
14
T.
87
67
93
7
Died
M.
45
34
76
F.
9
8
15
T.
54
42
91
N. B.—Observation cases are
The capacity of the Tezpur Mental Hospital is at 50 superficial
The maximum number of Mental Patients confined on any one night was 594 males, 127
STATEMENT
Statement showing the cases admitted for observation in the Provincial Mental Hospital
Name of Mental Hospital
1
Mental Hospital, Tezpur ... ...
Year
2
1937
1936
1935
Remained on the
1st January
3
2
2
4
Admitted
4
39
28
41
Re-admitted
5
2
...
2
STATEMENT
Return of Criminal Lunatics in the
1
Name of Mental Hospital
Mental Hospital,
Tezpur
1937 ..
1936 ..
1935 ..
2
Remaining from previous
year
M.
219
220
233
F.
25
23
23
T.
244
243
256
3
Admitted
M.
34
22
32
F.
1
5
3
T.
35
27
35
4
Re-admitted
M.
3
2
3
F.
2
..
..
T.
5
2
3
The figures in the statement
9
No. I
Hospital at Tezpur during the year 1937
8
Remaining on 31st December 1927
M.
574
562
558
F.
122
126
115
T.
696
688
673
9
Daily average strength
M.
575.46
559.50
553.42
F.
124.50
121.75
120.52
T.
699.96
681.25
673.93
10
Daily average sick
M.
52.88
49.77
56.98
F.
9.36
10.53
15.24
T.
61.94
60.30
72.22
11
Percentage to—
Daily average strength
A
Cured
M.
11.30
9.12
10.48
F.
6.43
3.29
9.13
T.
10.43
8.07
10.24
B
Died
M.
7.82
6.03
13.73
F.
7.23
6.57
12.44
T.
7.71
6.17
13.50
Admissions
C
Cur e d
M.
7.09
4.55
4.86
F.
..
..
5.2
T.
6.38
3.57
4.91
D
Died
M.
6.30
1.14
7.64
F.
..
8.33
5.26
T.
5.67
2.66
7.36
12
Results of mental
patients admitted
vide columns 3 and
4
A
Cured
M.
9
4
7
F.
..
..
1
T.
9
4
8
B
Died
M.
8
1
11
F.
..
2
1
T.
8
3
12
excluded from this statement.
feet per patient, 566 for males, 124 for females, 690 total.
females, 721 total, plus sane children in Female Section.
No. II
at Tezpur, for the year 1937 and the provincial totals for the two previous years
Certified and
admitted into the
Mental Hospital
6
28
21
28
Certified and
released under
Section 14, Act
IV of 1912
7
...
Nil
2
Released as
uncertifiable
8
10
7
15
Died
9
1 (a)
Nil
Nil
Remaining on
31st December
1937
10
4
2
2
Remarks
11
(a) This case was admitted
in a state of Double
Pneumonia.
No. III
Mental Hospital at Tezpur for the year 1937
5
Total
M.
256
244
268
F.
28
28
20
T.
284
272
294
6
Discharged,
transferred, etc.
M.
18
11
21
F.
3
1
1
T.
21
12
22
7
Died
M.
12
14
27
F.
2
2
2
T.
11
16
29
8
Remaining on 31st Decem-
ber
M.
226
219
220
F.
23
25
23
T.
249
244
243
9
Daily average strength
M.
223.93
216.30
227.08
F.
23.87
23.08
22.77
T.
247.80
239.38
249.85
exclude observation cases.
11
STATEMENT No. V
Return showing the ages of patients admitted into the Mental Hospital at Tezpur during the year 1937, and
the provincial totals for the two previous years
1
Name of Mental Hospital
Mental Hospital, Tezpur, 1937 ..
Ditto 1936 .. ..
Ditto 1935 .. ..
2
Under 20
Males
11
5
11
Females
3
2
2
Total
14
7
13
3
20 to 40
Males
98
77
115
Females
10
21
16
Total
108
98
131
4
40 to 60
Males
17
6
18
Females
1
1
1
Total
18
7
19
5
Upwards
of 60
Males
1
..
..
Fe ma l
e s
..
..
..
Total
1
..
..
6
Total
Males
127
88
144
Females
14
24
19
Total
141
112
163
The figures in the Statement exclude observation cases.
12
STATEMENT No. VI
Showing the form of mental order in the admissions, discharges, recoveries and deaths during the year ending 31st December 1937
1
Serial
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
2
—
Mental deficiency.. .. ..
Manic Depressive Insanity.. ..
Mania .. .. .. ..
Melancholia
..
..
..
Schizophrenia including Dementia
Paræcox.
Secondary Dementia .. ..
Paranoia and Paranoid States ..
Epilepsy and Epileptic Insanity ..
Toxic Psychosis:—
(a) Acute confusional insanity ..
(b) Alcoholic Psychosis .. ..
(c) Cannabis Indicæ Psychosis ..
(d) Of Endocrine Origin .. ..
(e) In relation to child-bearing ..
(f) In relation to other constitu-
tional diseases.
Organic Psychosis: —
(a) General .. .. ..
(b) Cerebral Syphilis .. ..
(c) Arteriopathic and senile Psychosis
(d) Encephalitis .. .. ..
(e) Other cerebral lesions.. ..
Neurosis and Psycho Neurosis ..
No appreciable disease .. ..
Not yet diagonosed (discharged before
certification).
Total .. ..
3
Remaining on the
31st December of
the preceding year
M.
7
100
135
93
115
2
12
36
..
..
62
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
562
F.
..
29
49
10
28
1
..
5
1
..
1
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
126
T.
7
129
184
103
143
3
12
41
1
..
63
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
688
4
Admissions during
the year
M.
2
45
8
7
63
..
..
3
..
..
5
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
133
F.
..
3
2
..
10
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
16
T.
2
48
10
7
73
..
..
3
..
..
5
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
149
5
Total
M.
9
145
143
100
178
2
12
39
..
..
67
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
695
F.
..
32
51
10
38
1
..
5
1
..
1
..
2
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
142
T.
9
177
194
110
216
3
12
44
1
..
68
..
2
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
837
6
Discharge
Recoveries
M.
..
25
26
4
13
..
1
1
..
..
6
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
76
F.
..
3
3
..
4
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
11
T.
..
28
29
4
17
..
1
1
..
..
6
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
87
Otherwise
M.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
F.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
T.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
7
Deaths
M.
..
10
8
4
11
..
1
4
..
..
7
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
45
F.
..
2
3
..
2
..
..
2
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
9
T.
..
12
11
4
13
..
1
6
..
..
7
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
54
8
Remaining
on 31st December
M.
9
110
109
92
154
2
10
34
..
..
54
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
574
F.
..
27
45
10
32
1
..
3
1
..
1
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
122
T.
9
137
154
102
186
3
10
37
1
..
55
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
696
9
Remarks
NOTE.—Observation cases are excluded from this statement.
13
STATEMENT No. VII
Statement showing the probable cause of insanity in the patients admitted during the year ending 31st December
1937
—
1
Mental stress—
Moral
..
..
..
Business worry
..
..
Domestic worry
..
Stress of military service ..
Toxins—
Cannabis Indica .. ..
Alcohol ..
..
..
Other toxins
..
..
Physical
..
..
Opium ..
..
..
Bodily Illness .. ..
Pregnancy .. ..
Childbirth .. ..
Climateric .. ..
Epilepsy
..
..
Head Injuries .. ..
Infections—
Encephalitis Lethargica ..
Influenza .. ..
Syphilis .. ..
Other infections ..
Old age .. ..
Hereditary predisposition ..
Previous attacks .. ..
Unascertained .. ..
Total ..
Predisposing causes
M.
2
..
..
2
..
3
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
3
..
..
..
..
..
..
10
..
..
23
F.
3
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
T.
4
..
..
3
..
3
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
3
..
..
..
..
..
..
10
..
..
24
Exciting causes
M.
5
..
..
2
..
5
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
3
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
104
114
F.
6
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
13
14
T.
7
..
..
3
..
5
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
3
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
117
128
Total
M.
8
..
..
4
..
13
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
6
..
..
..
..
..
..
10
..
104
137
F.
9
..
..
2
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
13
15
T.
10
..
..
6
..
13
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
6
..
..
..
..
..
..
10
..
117
152
Remarks
11
In 11 cases there
were both an excit-
ing and predispos-
ing
cause
thus
accounting for a
total of 152 against
141 fresh admis-
sions.
The figures in the statement exclude observation cases
Annual Report on the Working
of the Assam Mental Hospital
Tezpur, for the year
1938
BY
COLONEL E. S. PHIPSON, C.I.E., D.S.O., M.D., F.R.C.P., I.M.S.,
INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF CIVIL HOSPITALS, ASSAM
SHILLONG
PRINTED AT THE ASSAM GOVERNMENT PRESS
1939
Price Re. 1 & annas 2 or 1s. 9d.
Agents for the Sale of Books published by the Assam Government
AGENTS IN INDIA
(1) Messrs. Thaker, Spink & Co., Calcutta.
(2) Messrs. W. Newman & Co., Calcutta.
(3) Messrs. S. K. Lahiri & Co., Calcutta.
(4) Messrs. R. Cambray & Co., 6 and 8/2, Hastings
Street, Calcutta.
(5) Babu Hari Ram Dhar, B.A., Popular Library,
Dacca.
(6) Messrs. D. B. Taraporevala Sons & Co., 103.
Meadow Street, Fort, Post Box No. 187,
Bombay.
(7) The Indian School Supply Depôt, 309 Bow Bazar
Street, Calcutta.
(8) Messrs. Rai M. C. Sarkar Bahadur & Sons, 90—2A,
Harrison Road, Calcutta.
(9) Messrs. Students & Co., Cooch Bihar.
(10) The City Book Company, Post Box No. 283,
Madras.
(11) The Standard Literature Co., Limited, 13-1, Old
Court House Street, Calcutta.
(12) The Standard Book Stall, Karachi.
(13) Messrs. Karsandas, Narandas & Sons of Surat.
(14) The Proprietor, New Kitabkhana, Poona.
(15) The Association Press, Calcutta.
(16) Messrs. Butterworth & Co. (India), Limited, Hastings
Street, Calcutta, Post Box No. 2.
(17) The Director, The Book Company, Limited,
Booksellers and Stationers, 4/4A, College Square
Calcutta.
(18) Messrs. Kamala, Book Depôt, Limited, Bookseller
and Publishers, 15, College Square, Calcutta.
ASSAM GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS ARE OBTAINABLE IN GREAT BRITAIN DIRECT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR INDIA OR THROUGH ANY BOOK-SELLER
SHILLONG
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, ASSAM GOVERNMENT PRESS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introductory ... ... ... ... ...
Page
1
General
Admissions, re-admissions, discharges ... ... ...
Escapes and daily average strength ... ... ...
Admissions classified according to—
(a) Criminal lunatics ... ... ... ...
(b) Nationality, religions, sex and residence ... ...
(c) Previous occupation ... ... ... ...
(d) Types and alleged causes of insanity ... ...
ib.
ib.
2
ib.
ib.
ib.
Vital Statisties
Sickness and mortality... ... ... ... ...
3
Finance
Expenditure and cost per inmate ... ... ... ...
4
Miscellaneous
Employment of inmates ... ... ... ...
Accommodation
... ... ... ...
...
Water-supply
... ... ... ... ...
Inspections
...
...
...
...
...
General remarks ... ... ... ... ...
b.
5
ib.
6
ib.
No. 4482
FROM
COLONEL E. S. PHIPSON, C.I.E., D.S.O., M.D., F.R.C.P., I.M.S.,
INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF CIVIL HOSPITALS, ASSAM,
To
THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM
IN THE EDUCATION AND LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT
DEPARTMENTS.
Dated Shillong, the 10th May 1939.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to submit my Annual Report on the working of the Assam
Mental Hospital, Tezpur, for the year 1938.
Introductory.—Dr. S. N. Choudhury, A. M. S. (Senior) held charge of the,
Provincial Mental Hospital at Tezpur from 1st January 1938 to 3rd January
1938.
Major P. H. Cummins, I. M. S., Civil Surgeon, Darrang, held charge from
the forenoon of 4th January 1938 to 27th January 1938.
Dr. H. C. Barua, M. B., A. M. S. (Senior) held charge from the forenoon of
28th January 1938 to the end of the year.
The Civil Surgeon, Darrang acted as consultant to the hospital during the
year.
STAFF AND ESTABLISHMENT
1. Khan Saheb Dr. Mokhtar Hussain, Selection Grade Sub-Assistant Surgeon
was the Deputy Superintendent throughout the year.
The general staff remained the same as in the previous year.
2. Statement No. 1.—The number of inmates remaining at the end of the year
1937 was 696 of whom 574 were males and 122 females.
During the year under report 106 patients (88 males and 18 females) were
admitted including 11 re-admissions.
The total number of patients treated during the year was therefore 802 (662
males and 140 females) as against 837 (695 males and 142 females) in 1937.
Of this number, 53 were discharged "Cured", 3 discharged "Improved", 4
discharged "Not improved" and 53 died leaving 689 at the end of the year.
The percentage of recoveries calculated on the daily average strength was 7.70
against 10.43 in 1937.
3. Re-admissions.—There were 11 re-admissions during the year under report
against 8 in the previous year.
The interval since discharge varied from seven months to twenty-one years.
4. Escapes.—There were 2 escapes during the year against 3 in 1937. Both were
recaptured and the keepers responsible for the escape were adequately punished.
5. Daily average strength.—The daily average strength was 688.46 against
699.96 in 1937.
6. Children.—There were at one time 3 sane children with a criminal female
patient. Through the help of the Deputy Commissioner, Darrang, these cases
were suitably provided for.
7. Statement No. II.—This Statement deals with observation cases for alleged
lunacy.
Thirty-six cases including 2 re-admissions were admitted during the year for
observation and 4 were carried over from the previous year. Of these 40, 31 were
certified insane and admitted for safe custody and treatment, 5 released as
"Uncertifiable", 1 died and 3 remained under observation at the end of the
year.
2
8. Statement No. III.—This Statement deals with Criminal Mental patients.
There were 249 criminal mental patients at the close of the previous year and
32 (including 4 re-admissions) were admitted during the year under report. Of
this number, 21 were discharged and 7 died leaving 253 at the end of the year.
The daily average strength was 241.74 against 247.80 in 1937.
A statement showing the classes of criminal mental patients is given below:—
Rule 898 of Assam
Jail Manual,
Volume 1
1
Paragraph 3 under-
trial.
Paragraph 4 Acquit-
ted.
Paragraph 5 Insane
Convict.
Total ..
Remained
on
31-12-37
2
M.
116
68
42
226
F.
11
8
4
23
T.
127
76
46
249
Admitted and
Re-admitted
during 1938
3
M.
13
9
8
30
F.
1
1
0
2
T.
14
10
8
32
Total
4
M.
129
77
50
256
F.
12
9
4
25
T.
141
86
54
281
Discharged
5
M.
9
10
0
19
F.
1
0
1
2
T.
10
10
1
21
Died
6
M.
5
F.
0
T.
5
..
1
6
1
1
2
7
Remaining
7
M.
115
67
49
231
F.
11
9
2
22
T.
126
76
51
253
9. Statement No. IV—Religion, sex and residence.—Out of a total of 95 new
admissions, classified by religion, 73 were Hindus, 10 Mohammedans, 6 Indian
Christians and 6 were of other castes. Of these, 61 were natives of the Province
and 34 natives of other Provinces but most of the latter were domiciled.
10. Statement No. V—Age.—As usual the majority of the cases on admission
were found to be between 20 to 40 years of age.
11. Statement No. VI.—The types of insanity among admissions and re-admis-
sions were as follows :—
Manic Depressive insanity ... ... ...
Mania ... ... ... ... ...
Melancholia ... ... ... ...
Schizophrenia including Dementia Praecox
...
...
Epilepsy and Epileptic insanity ... ... ...
Organic reaction
type of Psychosis
Arteriopathic and Senile Psychosis ...
Other Cerebral Lessions
...
...
Total ... ...
29
7
2
63
3
1
1
106
12. Statement No. VII—Aetiological Factors.—Predisposing causes were known
in 12 cases and exciting causes in 11. Both predisposing and exciting causes were
known in 11 cases.
" A very large proportion of the insane come to this Asylum as enigmas to be
solved, for the information sent with them as a rule is insufficient, and at times
drawn up in a careless manner and apparently without the least attempt at
inquiry ".
The above is an extract from the Annual Report of Tezpur Lunatic Asylum
for the year 1877 and to-day, some 60 years later, much the same conditions pre-
vail. As a result, out of 95 new admissions, aetiological factors in only 12 cases
were known and in the rest unknown. I propose to invite the attention of Govern-
ment medical officers to the very inadequate information usually contained in des-
criptive rolls of patients, which documents are of great importance in the classifica-
tion and treatment of cases.
3
VITAL STATISTICS
13. Sickness and Mortality.—(a) The number of admissions to the infirmaries
was 365 against 514 in 1937 with a daily average sick rate 61.94 against 62.24 in
1937.
This excludes cases of Epilepsy, the daily average of which was 35.72 against
39.24 in 1937.
(b) The following comparative statement shows the admission for the more
prevalent diseases during the past 3 years :—
Diseases
1
Tuberculosis ... ... ... ... ...
Dysentery
...
...
...
...
...
Malaria ... ... ... ... ...
Diseases of digestive system ... ... ...
Influenza
...
...
...
...
...
All other diseases ... ... ... ...
Total ... ... ...
1938
2
6
132
72
23
53
79
365
1937
3
15
98
100
62
99
140
514
1936
4
11
50
41
28
75
148
353
Remarks
5
(c) The Statement below shows the percentage of inmates admitted in good,
indifferent and bad health during the past 3 years :—
Year
1
1938
... ... ... ...
1937
...
...
...
...
1936
...
...
...
...
Good health
2
38.68
23.48
39.84
Bad health
3
24.53
30.87
30.89
Indifferent
health
4
36.79
45.64
29.27
Remarks
5
MORTALITY
(d) There were 53 deaths during the year under review against 54 in 1937.
The chief causes of death were Dysentery and Tuberculosis, which together
accounted for 38 out of a total of 53 deaths. Dysentery accounted for the death
of 32 cases. There were 132 cases of Dysentery during the year under report
against 98 in 1937.
The comparative figures of morbidity and mortality from Dysentery, tell their
own tale. The cause determined by a Committee of Enquiry, namely, inadequate
and insufficient water supply in 1934, still exists. The insidious undermining of
health from inadequate water supply will continue to adversely affect morbidity
and mortality for several years to come.
The tube-well sanctioned is still under construction.
Tuberculosis.—Out of 6 cases which died of Tuberculosis one developed
Dysentery ending in death.
The existing arrangement for disinfecting the clothing and bedding of
patients by a blanket boiler is a laborious and very inefficient method. For
thorough disinfection of the clothing and bedding of so large a number of
patients, a steam sterilizer is essentially necessary.