Page:Modern Hyderabad (Deccan).djvu/115

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MODERN HYDERABAD.
103


The same authority states that the Mahomedans are better off than the Hindus in respect of all infirmities except insanity; and that the Animists, who live a simple life, free from the worries of rains and crops, so wears and sircars, are better off as regards infirmities than either Hindus or Mahomedans.

The Census for 191 1 gives the following figures for the four principal infirmities of the State — insane 2,560, deaf-mute 4,421, leper 3,785, blind 16,263, and it says that the worst period as regards these afflictions is for the men from 40 to 45 and for the women from 60 to 65. The largest proportion of lepers occurs at the age period 40-45. Far fewer females than males become lepers, but the Census thinks that women can more easily hide this infirmity than is the case with men.

There are in the State 91 government hospitals and dispensaries, and the Afzalganj and Victoria hospitals in Hyderabad city are the only government hospitals of any size or importance. The former has an average of 62.120 in and out-patients per annum; and the latter, which is strictly purdah, treated during 1912 10,808 out-patients and 1,516 in-patients — chiefly maternity cases.