R. No. 682-G.

                                                OFFICE OF THE SURGEON-GENERAL

                                                WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF MADRAS,

                                                        MADRAS, 25th March 1929.

From

     COLONEL J. W. D. MEGAW, C.I.E., V.H.S., I.M.S.,

                    OFFG. SURGEON-GENERAL WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF MADRAS,

                                                                                                                                MADRAS,

To

     THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,

                          LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT (PUBLIC HEALTH) DEPARTMENT,

                                                                                                                                MADRAS.

SIR,

I have the honour to submit, for the information of Government,
the Annual Report on the working of the mental hospitals in this
Presidency for the year 1928.

2. Population.—The total population of the three mental hospitals
during the year under report was 1,595 (1,216 males and 379 females)
against 1,512 (1,155 males and 357 females) during the previous year.
There were 1,155 patients (863 males and 292 females) remaining at the
commencement of the year against 1,043 patients (777 males and 266
females) in the previous year. The number of patients admitted and
re-admitted during the year was 440. Of the total treated 159 were cured,
62 improved, 28 discharged not improved, 43 discharged otherwise, 83
died and 1,220 remained at the end of the year. Of the total number
of patients admitted during the year, 20 were Europeans and Anglo-
Indians, 45 were Indian Christians, 292 were Hindus, 73 were Muham-
madans and 6 were of other castes.

The total population is classified as follows:—

There were three escapes among the quiet, harmless and recovering cases in
the Mental Hospital, Calicut, during the year. One was however brought
back to the Hospital within the period prescribed by the Lunacy Act and
was discharged cured within five months. The second who was subject
to delusional insanity came back of his own accord with a marked
change for the better and so he was discharged as an N.A.D. case. The
third one who is still at large is reported to have shown great improve-
ment in his mental and physical condition while at the hospital. There
were no escapes from the Mental Hospitals of Madras and Waltair
during the year. It is clear that the grant of freedom of movement to
the patients may result in occasional escapes, but it has a very good effect
on the mental condition of the inmates.

3. Age and previous occupation of the inmates.—Of the inmates
admitted and re-admitted during the year, 25 were under 20 years of age,
297 were between 20 to 40 years, 106 were between 40 to 60 years and 8 were
upwards of 60 years. Patients between the ages of 20 to 40 constituted