R. No. 540-G.

                                    OFFICE OF THE SURGEON-GENERAL
                              WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF MADRAS,
                                          MADRAS, 21st March 1930.

From

      MAJOR-GENERAL J. W. D. MEGAW, C.I.E., V.H.S., I.M.S.,
            SURGEAN-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 1929.

2. Population.—The total population of the three mental hospitals
during the year under report was 1,740 (1,323 males and 417 females)
as against 1,595 (1,216 males and 379 females) in the previous year. The
number of patients remaining at the commencement of the year was
1,220 (903 males and 317 females), the figure for the previous year being
1,155 (863 males and 292 females) and the number admitted and re-admitted
during the year was 520 as compared with 440 in the previous year. Of
the total treated 183 were cured, 48 improved, 46 discharged not improved,
33 discharged otherwise, 87 died and 1,343 remained at the end of the
year. Of the total number of patients admitted during the year, 18 were
Europeans and Anglo-Indians, 49 were Indian Christians, 336 were
Hindus, 89 were Muhammadans and 18 were of other castes.

During the year there were three escapes, two from the Mental
Hospital, Madras, and one among the quiet and harmless patients in the
Mental Hospital, Calicut. Two of them were brought back to the hos-
pitals concerned and the third is still at large.

3.  Age and previous occupation of the inmates.—Of the inmates
admitted and re-admitted during the year 38 were under 20 years of age,
346 were between 20 to 40 years, 116 were between 40 to 60 years and 10
were above 60 years. As in the previous years the number of inmates
between the ages of 20 and 40 was the largest. The highest number of
admissions during the year was from general labourers and cultivating
tenants, the figures being 72 and 59, respectively. Patients whose previous
occupation was not known numbered 113.

4.  Causes of insanity.—Among the causes enumerated in statement
No. VII, other general affections, puberty and adolescence, mental stress,
previous attack, cannabis indica, privation and starvation and epilepsy,
accounted for the largest number of admissions.