2
report have, with the exception of Statements I and II, been drawn up for the
year 1902 only. In adopting this course, the practice observed in the case of the
returns appended to the triennial reports on dispensaries and vaccination has
been followed. Prior to the year 1900, it was customary to show in Statements I
and 11 the statistics relating to the year under report and ten previous years ;
but in paragraph 10 of Home Department letter of 26th March 1901, already
quoted above, as amended by the Local Administration in its letter No. 6255,
dated the 1st July 1901, the entries in these statements have been limited to
the three years under report. In the remaining Statements III to X (except-
ing IX), although the statistics for the year 1902 only have been given in
detail, the totals for the two preceding years have been entered at the foot
of the tables to facilitate comparison.
STATEMENT I.
Accommodation and popula-
tion.
6. In the Nagpur Asylum the daily average population was well within the
capacity during each of the three years under report, and on
no single occasion did the population exceed the capacity
In the Jubbulpore Asylum the daily average strength
approximated the capacity in each of the three years, and in regard to females
slightly exceeded it. In both institutions the daily average strength of male
insanes shows a progressive decrease during the three years under report; that
of female insanes on the contrary shows a progressive increase. It may become
necessary later on to consider the question of providing increased accommodation
for female lunatics.
Admissions and re-admis-
sions.
7. Nagpur Asylum.—The number of inmates remaining from 1899 was
179. During the period under report, the admissions
and re-admissions were 25 in 1900, 23 in 1901 and 35 in
1902. Jubbulpore Asylum. —161 inmates were left over
from 1899 ; 28 were admitted in 1900, 19 in 1901 and 21 in 1902. In Jubbulpore
the admission figures are fairly constant, with a general tendency to fall. In
Nagpur the admissions in 1902 show a considerable rise. It may be, as
suggested by the Superintendent, that this is due to a closer supervision
exercised over wandering and homeless lunatics by the police and magistracy
rather than to any general increase of insanity. The class of patients admitted
in 1902 supports this view. The Superintendent further expresses the opinion
that the people in general are more eager than heretofore to get rid of their
responsibilities in connection with insane relatives, and alludes to the difficulty
experienced in inducing relatives and friends to take charge of quiet and harmless
lunatics who might well be entrusted to their care.
Discharges.
8. Nagpur Asylum.—The number of patients discharged was 34 in 1900,
18 in 1901 and 12 in 1902, or 64 in all. Of these,
36 were discharged cured and made over to their friends ;
23 were discharged and made over to their friends on security—18 as "improved"
and 5 as " not improved" ; while 5 were " discharged otherwise." Jubbulpore
Asylum.—24 patients were discharged in 1900, 15 in 1901 and 15 in 1902, or
54 in all. Of these, 48 were discharged cured and made over to their friends;
4 were discharged and made over to their friends as " improved," and 2 were
"discharged otherwise." Of the 5 patients " discharged otherwise" from the
Nagpur Asylum during the period under report, 3 (2 criminals and 1 non-criminal)
escaped, and 2 (criminals) were transferred to the Nagpur Central Jail to undergo
a term of probation there as warders prior to their final discharge. Of the 2 shown
under the above head against the Jubbulpore Asylum, 1 (a non-criminal lad) was
discharged a month after admission as not being a fit case for the asylum. The
other (also a non-criminal) escaped. The period of residence of those discharged
from the Nagpur Asylum varied from 3 months to 12 years and 4 months. In
explanation of the small proportion of lunatics discharged cured from the
Nagpur Asylum in 1902, the Superintendent writes :—
" The small proportion of lunatics discharged cured in 1902 is accounted for by the
class of admissions received during that year, 8 being cases of idiocy, 1 of dementia and
5 of chronic mania, in which cure or improvement seldom takes place. Eight were criminal
lunatics who, under any circumstances, could not be discharged until a lengthened period had
elapsed. Of the 13 remaining new admissions, 2 were discharged cured and 1 improved;
6 others are now sane, 3 of whom are awaiting arrangements for conveyance to their homes
and 3 will shortly be brought before the official visitors for release."