4                 ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

The daily average strength of insanes shows a notable increase over that of
1886 in all three institutions, and the daily average number of sick was also larger,
except at Calicut. The deaths in 1887 were in Madras and Calicut more numerous
than in 1886, but fewer in the Vizagapatam Asylum. The chief cases of inter-
current ailments and the causes of mortality amongst the insanes will be noticed
further on. The rates per cent. of recoveries and deaths to average strength and
admissions were more favorable than in 1886 in the Vizagapatam Asylum, but less
so in the two others. Calicut, however, shows the lowest death-rate, viz., 3.39 per
cent. of daily average strength.

4. The subjoined statement contrasts the general results in the three insti-
tutions for the entire asylum population in 1887, with the averages of the ten
preceding years:—

The rate of recoveries was therefore below the average, a result due in some
measure to the accumulation of chronic cases. The rate of mortality, although
higher than in 1886, was on the whole favorable as contrasted with the decennial
average,

5. SEX AND NATIONALITY OF INSANES ADMITTED,—Of the 207 insanes admitted,
181 were males and 26 females, and the following abstract shows the caste or
creed to which the several individuals belonged :—

6. AGES OF INSANES ADMITTED :—

As usual the greatest number of admissions, both of men and women, took place
between the ages of 20 to 40, the period of life at which the mental faculties are
most taxed and the moral and physical causes that tend to produce insanity most
likely to be encountered.

7. CAUSES OF INSANITY.—Of the total asylum population, amounting to 797,
the alleged cause of attack was recorded in 337 instances, but in 460 cases could
not be ascertained. As many of the insanes admitted are wanderers from their
homes and uncared for by relatives, the difficulty of ascertaining any reliable
points in their previous history is very great. The following abstract shows the