5
The population in a Lunatic Asylum have very little vitality in reserve to
cope with any serious disease. The inmates of this Asylum were further
weakened by chronic infection with intestinal parasites. The epidemics of
Influenza of 1918 and 1919 acted still more in reducing their health. Though
only two deaths in 1919 and three in 1920 in this Asylum were directly due to
influenza, the disease hastened the deaths of those attacked with other diseases
by destroying their resistive power. Lunatics are generally sent to the Asylum
in their last stage and die shortly after admission. Various measures were taken
to reduce the high rate of death with the result that the number of death fell
down to 24 in 1920.
4. Criminal Lunatics—The number of criminal lunatics under treatment
declined gradually from 167 in 1918 to 165 in 1919 and to 152 in 1920.
5. Forms of Insanity.—The principal types of insanity among the cases
treated during the triennium were Mania (231 with 39 recoveries), Melan-
cholia (68 with 10 recoveries), Mental stupor(26 with 3 recoveries), Delusional
insanity (23 with 4 recoveries), Dementia (40 with 10 recoveries) and Insanity
caused by Cannabis Indica or its derivations or preparations (38 with 8 reco-
veries).
6. Causes of Insanity.—The chief etiological factors and associated condi-
tions of those admitted in this Asylum during the triennium under notice were
ganja or its preparations or derivations, Mental stress, Diseases of the nervous
system, Alcohol and Toxic causes other than ganja or alcohol.
7. Finance.—The total amount spent at this Asylum was Rs. 40,626 in 1918,
Rs. 56,356 in 1919, Rs. 53,804 in 1920, excluding the amount received from the
paying patients and miscellaneous receipts, i. e., a total of Rs. 1,50,786 against
Rs. 1,39,284 in the previous triennium. The great increase in 1919 was mainly
due to the fact that blankets for the year 1920 were purchased in 1919.
Excluding the Public Works Department charges, the average cost per
head was Rs. 142-10-9 in 1918, Rs. 206-1-2 in 1919 and Rs. 207-7-9 in 1920.
8. Establishment.—Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Sunder, M.D, I.M.S., held
charge of the Patna Lunatic Asylum throughout the triennium except from
the 16th September to the 20th October 1918 when Assistant Surgeon Babu
Sanat Kumar Barat, M.A., L.M.S., was incharge.
The number of keepers was raised from 30 to 36 in April 1919.
The pay of menials was revised in 1920 and that of compounder in 1919
owing to the general rise in the cost of living.
I take this opportunity of placing on record the excellent record of service
of Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Sunder. He has taken a deep interest in the
welfare of the Asylum and its inmates.
9. Manufacture.—The value of the sale of the articles manufactured in
the Patna Lunatic Asylum was Rs. 1,162 during the triennium under report
against Rs. 708 in the previous triennium. Value of manufactured goods
made over to Asylum for Asylum purpose was Rs. 7,782, Rs. 9,217 and
Rs. 7,324 in 1918, 1919 and 1920 respectively. Value of plant and machinery
in store at the end of the year was Rs. 1,221 in 1918, Rs. 1,217 in 1919 and
Rs. 1,351 in 1920. Profit was Rs. 3,996 in 1918, Rs. 3,618 in 1919 and
Rs. 2,148 in 1920 or an average of Rs. 3,254 against Rs. 2,062. The increase
was due to better supervision.
10. General.—The lunatics confined in this Asylum were well looked
after and well fed. Meat once a week was introduced as an additional item
of dietary. The convalescents, weak and infirm were kept under special care
and were given extra food and clothing whenever required. The suicidal
epileptic and dangerous patients were kept under proper watch.
Amusements.—Amusements were provided at this Asylum during the
years 1919 and 1920. The literate lunatics were provided with books and
newspapers.