The Assam and Central Provinces Asylum Reports

There is only one asylum in Assam, at Tezprir ; this was in charge of Major E. A. W. Hall, I.M.S., for the last nine months of the year 1899. There is accommodation for 90 males and 30 females, there is also separate accommodation for '28 criminal lunatics, but there was overcrowding on several occasions, and the building will have to be enlarged. There is no satisfactory hospital for male lunatics, but a house to accommodate four female patients is being built. There were 22 lunatics only admitted during the year. The average daily strength of lunatics confined in the Province was 126, which is higher than the ten year average 107. During the year 18 lunatics were discharged as cured. It appears that imported coolies make up a considerable share of the total lunatics in Assam, viz., 7 out of 22 admitted during the year. Of the criminal lunatics confined during the year (37 in all), 30 were committed for assaults against the per.son'(murder, grievous hurt, &c.). Only one prisoner in jail became insane and was removed to the asylum. The admissions are thus classified, mania 13, melancholia 8, idiocy 1, total 22._ The causes assigned for the insanity were in 11 cases unknown ; in 11, death of children (grief) 1, c/aaja smoking 5, epilepsy 2, pneumonia 1, syphilis 1, heredity 1. (Total 11.) The admission to hospital per cent, was 67, and the death-rate 7-1 per cent., which, however, is lower than the decennial average. ! Major Hall gives tables for past four years which show a very i satisfactory and substantial reduction in the number of admissions \