REPORT OF THE MOYDAPORE LUNATIC ASYLUM

                                                            FOR THE YEAR 1872.

                                        By Surgeon J. M. COATES, M.D., Superintendent.

Increase of ad-
missions.

TABLE 1. Increased Admissions.—The increase in the admissions has been 23 more than
the average of the last ten years. Of these, 18 were males and 5 females.

Causes.

2. This increase has, I believe, been largely owing to greater strictness on the part of
the police in seizing and sending in non-criminals who formerly were permitted to remain
in their villages ; 27 of these were admitted during the year against 11 of the year previous.
Of those sent to me for decision, I reported three to be so harmless that they should be left
with their friends, instead of being admitted into the asylum. The admissions of criminal
lunatics have increased from 6 in 1871 to 12 in 1872.

Re-admissions.

3. Re-admissions.—The four re-admissions were criminal lunatics who, on becoming sane,
were tried, acquitted, and returned to the asylum during the pleasure of Government.

Recoveries.

4. Released Cured.—The releases would have been more numerous, but the Committee
cannot release men when ready without the presence of another medical officer, and there
is no extra man in Berhampore. The Committee has made the following reference to Govern-
ment in the case of three such recoveries, and there are now half a dozen more ready for
release :—

Difficulty as re-
gards release of non-
criminals.

5. " The Committee would draw attention to their remarks in their October's proceedings
* * * regarding the release of non-criminals who have become sane, and whom the Com-
mittee cannot release without the presence of another medical officer, and there is none here
to be present. The matter is urgent, as every cell on the male side is occupied, and further
admissions must cease till these men are released."

Improved.

6. Improved.—Those entered under the head "improved" were men who had quite re-
covered their sanity; but being unable to release them, we sent for their friends to come and
take charge.

Sex.

7. Sex.—The females numbered one-sixth of the males. I regret I cannot give the
numbers of previous years.

Sick.

Hospital.

8.    Sick.—The sick were very few. Each was treated in his own separate cell, but
not confined to it constantly. So long as each was able to go out to the garden, or into the
workshed, he was encouraged to do so. The asylum hospital was not, therefore, used
throughout the year. I purpose devoting it to sane criminals, who can be put together with-
out fear, and so leave room for further admissions into the asylum.

9.     Cured and Improved.—It will be observed that the decrease in cured is counter-
balanced exactly by the increase in the improved; and that

Mortality.

10. Percentage of Deaths.—The deaths were 6 per cent. below the average mortality.