1870.] On Insanity. 179 



lation, which was 6,552,385. Ten years later, in 1861, the popula- 

 tion numbered 5,764,543; a decrease of 12*20 per cent. The 

 number of the insane thus amounted to 15,947, or 1 in 361 of the 

 population. 



Dr. MacCabe gives the following statistics of Waterford : — The 

 county and city comprise an area of 721 square miles, or 461,553 

 acres, of which in round numbers 325,000 are arable, 105,000 

 uncultivated, 23,000 in plantations, 1500 in towns, and nearly 6000 

 under water. In 1851, four years after the famine, the population 

 of the district amounted to 164,051. The numbers of the insane 

 were: — In the asylum, 121 ; in workhouses and gaols, &c, 61 ; at 

 large, 56 : total, 238. Eatio to the population, 1 in 689. 



In 1861 the population of the district amounted to 134,336, 

 a decrease in ten years of 29,715. The numbers of the insane in 

 the district were: — In the asylum, 135; in workhouses and gaols, 

 69 ; at large, but returned by the constabulary, 182 : total insane 

 of the district, 386. Ratio to the population of 1 in 348. 



In 1868 the population had evidently declined from the figures 

 given in the census of 1861. The numbers of the insane were : — ■ 

 In the asylums, 167 ; in workhouses and gaols, 90 ; at large, 120 : 

 total insane of the district, 377. Eatio to the population, 1 in 

 358. The increase in the numbers admitted into the asylums and 

 workhouses depended upon the operation of Acts of Parliament, 

 but the significance of the sum total is not to be mistaken. There 

 was an evident increase in the numbers of the insane for ten years, 

 and no decrease of any amount since 1861, so far as Waterford was 

 concerned. 



The last returns of the insane population of Ireland for 1867 

 and 1868, December 31st, in both years are, for the first year, 

 15,650; and for the last, 16,018. In 1861, it has been already 

 mentioned, the insane numbered 15,947. Of course a correct esti- 

 mate of the relative numbers of the insane and sane cannot be 

 obtained until the census which is about to take place is completed. 

 But, as a matter of fact, it is known that the general population 

 did decrease from 1851 to 1861, and there is a strong presumption 

 from the emigration returns that a steady exodus makes a sad 

 inroad into the ranks of the peasantry year by year. No one credits 

 that there is any increase of the population, and therefore the 

 numbers of the insane must be believed to be on the increase, and 

 to have increased year by year in Ireland in relation to the popu- 

 lation. 



Esquirol's remark that insanity belongs almost exclusively to 

 civilized races of man, and that it scarcely exists among savages, 

 being very rare in barbarous countries, holds good ; and the expe- 

 rience of the last twenty years proves that he might have said with 

 great truth that in the most civilized countries where there is the 



