NOTES ON THE WORKING OF THE PATNA LUNATIC ASYLUM,
BANKIPORE, FOR THE YEAR 1913.
1. Statement I—Admissions, discharges, etc.—The year opened with 215
males, 39 females, or a total of 254 patients in the Asylum. The numbers
admitted during the year were 73 males and 12 females, the figures represent-
ing readmissions being 3 males and 2 females. The discharges were 20 males
(including one case of escape) and 2 females, and the deaths 31 males
(including one homicide) and 10 females.
The net increase in the population was, therefore, 27, the males having
increased by 25 and females by 2. Of those discharged, 17 males and 2
females were cured; 2 males were made over to their friends, one in im-
proved condition, the other not. The one case of escape has been shown
under head "discharged otherwise ". The percentage of those cured to the
daily average strength was 6.90, and to admissions 21.11, against 8.53 and
2917 respectively in the previous year. The increase in the population is
due to the fact that Patna Asylum is the only Asylum now in the Province
with a population of about 34 millions. The capacity of the Asylum has
been increased from 262 to 306 by the construction of a new sleeping ward
and 4 cells. The daily average strength in 1913 was higher than in 1912,
i.e., 275.08 as compared with 246.30. The maximum number confined on
one night in 1913 was 290 against 261 in 1912.
2. Sickness and mortality.—There
were 281 patients treated in the
hospital during the year 1913, 225 males and 56 females ; the daily average
sick was 17.69 as compared with 12.56 in 1912. The important admissions
were for Dysentery (amœbic) 27, fever 41, anmæia (due to Ankylostomiasis) 38
conjunctivitis 22, tubercle of the lungs 6, diarrhœa 35, abscess 35, pneumonia
1, tubercle of pericardium 1.
The total mortality was 41 (including one case of homi cidal strangulation)
as compared with 26 in 1912, that is, 119.19 per mille as compared with 85.53.
The mortality was 29.33 per mille for the Patna Municipality.
Six chronic cases in hospital were taken over from the previous year.
Out of 90 patients admitted 51 were received in the Asylum in bad and 6 in
indifferent health. Eating of mud, fæces and grass were specially frequent
during the year. Dysentery, diarrhœa and anæmia (from Ankylestomiasis)
may be attributed to these causes acting before and after admission. The
routine examination of excreta, blood and sputum in all suspicious cases
demonstrated the presence of worms in a large proportion, who were at once
placed under treatment, but control of the above mentioned habits is needed
in order to prevent reinfection, and such control is impossible with the
limited numbers of keepers available. More hospital accommodation for males
is needed, with a ward for Tubercular cases and a room for segregation of
men of filthy habits who need to be watched. A hospital for females was
administratively approved by Government during the year, and a compounder
and female hospital attendant were sanctioned.
3. Statement II—Criminal Lunatics.—There were 99 criminal lunatics
in the Asylum on the 1st of January 1913 ; 36 and 2 were admitted and re-
admitted, against which 16 were discharged, transferred, etc., and 12 died.
The criminal lunatics at the end of the year were therefore, 109. The daily
average strength of this class of lunatics was 107.49 in 1913 against 91.62
in 1912.
One harmless criminal lunatic convicted of a trivial offence was recom¬
mended for release in pursuance of the orders of Government enjoining release
of harmless lunatics. The Government ordered his release on security, but
he could not be released as his son refused to take charge of him.
4. Statement III—Religion,
sex, and residence.— Of the 90 admissions
and readmissions during the year, Hindus contributed 67, Muhammadans
12, and the rest were of other castes. In some cases the castes were not
known.