NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
5
14. The ages of patients died are shown below :—
Age.
1
Under 20 years of age ...
Between 20 and 40 years...
Between 40 and 60 years...
Upwards 60 years...
Total...
1st January 1940
to
31st March 1940.
Male.
2
...
2
2
1
5
Female.
3
...
...
1
...
1
Total.
4
...
2
3
1
6
1940-41.
Male.
5
...
4
13
11
28
Female.
6
...
2
6
1
9
Total.
7
...
6
19
12
37
The deaths after the fourth decade were principally due to
general senile decay with or without intercurrent diseases.
15. Health of patients.—The genaral health of the patients
was good throughout the periods under report. There was no
outbreak of any epidemic nature except of Influenza and Malaria
in a mild form.
16. Sickness.—The daily average number of sick treated for
physical ailments during the periods under review and the two
previous years is shown below :—
Year.
1st January 1940 to 31st March 1940
1940-41
.. .. .. ..
1939 .. .. .. ..
1938 .. .. .. ..
Male.
69.28
66.60
70.83
59.48
Female
23.81
18.50
26.50
13.80
Total.
93.09
85.10
97.33
73.28
The following were the most distinctive causes for admission
in the Infirmaries during the periods under report:—
Malaria, Influenza, Pneumonia, Pulmonary Tuberculosis,
Dysentery—Bacillary and Amœbic, General
Diseases including debility, Inflammation of the
Areolar Tissue, Ankylostomiasis, Skin diseases,
Diseases of the Digestive System, Diseases of the
Respiratory System, Ulcerative Inflammation,
Scabies and Pyrexia of uncertain origin.
6
Besides, 517 and 2,270 patients were treated at the outdoor
clinics of the hospital for very minor injuries, ailments, etc.,
during the periods respectively from 1st January 1940 to 31st
March 1940 and the year 1940-41.
17 . Statement no. II.—Cases under observation.—There
were no cases under observation during the period from 1st
January 1940 to 31st March 1940. During the year 1940-41
4 (all females) patients were admitted under section 16 of the
Indian Lunacy Act, 1912 for brief periods of observation, 3 of
whom were later certified and admitted and one was discharged
as uncertifiable.
18. Statement no. III.—Criminal patients.— The daily average
strength of criminal patients for the period from 1st January
1940 to 31 st March 1940 and the year 1940-41 together with
that of the two previous years is shown below :—
Year.
1st January 1940 to 31st March 1940
1940-41
..
..
..
1939
..
..
..
1938
..
..
..
Male.
457.91
447.27
438.95
439.86
Female.
42.01
42.97
44.72
44.13
Total.
499.92
490.24
483.67
483.99
The following table shows the number of criminal patients
admitted during the period from 1st January 1940 to 31st March
1940 and the year 1940-41 and a classification of the crime
committed by them :—
Crime.
1
Murder ... ... ...
House breaking, theft and other
petty offences.
Total ...
1st January 1940
to
31st March 1940.
Male.
2
3
1
4
Female.
3
...
...
...
Total.
4
3
1
4
1940-41.
Male.
5
5
2
7
Female.
6
4
2
6
Total.
7
9
4
13
7
The following is a list of criminal patients resident on 31st
March 1940 and 31st March 1941 and the crimes committed by
them :—
Crime.
1
Murder ... ... ...
Culpable Homicide ... ...
Hurt and Grievous hurt ...
Attempt at murder and suicide ...
House breaking and theft ...
Other petty offences ... ...
Rape ... ... ...
Mischief by fire ... ...
Exposure and abandonment of
child.
Total ...
31st March 1940.
Male.
2
250
61
83
12
16
20
3
13
...
458
Female.
3
25
3
2
4
2
2
...
1
2
41
Total.
4
275
64
85
16
18
22
3
14
2
499
31st March 1941.
Male.
5
242
58
81
12
12
20
3
13
...
441
Female.
6
28
3
2
4
2
2
...
1
2
44
Total.
7
270
61
83
16
14
22
3
14
2
485
19. Statement no. IV.—Shows religion, sex and residence
of the patients admitted during the periods and is self-expla-
natory.
20. Statement no. V.—Shows the ages of patients admitted
during the periods. A reference to the figures in this statement
will indicate that the incidence of insanity was high between the
ages of 20 and 40.
21. Statement no. VI.—Shows the forms of mental disorders
of those admitted during the periods. It will be seen from this
statement that cases of Manic Depressive Psychosis, Mania,
Melancholia, Schizophrenia including Dementia
praecox,
Paranoia and Paranoid states were the principal forms of mental
disorders.
22. Statement no. VII.—Shows the probable causes of insani-
ty in those admitted during the periods. It will be seen that
the principal predisposing and exciting causes amongst the new
8
admissions during the year were generally mental stress (in-
cluding privation and malnutrition), previous attack, heredity,
Cannabis Indica and Alcohol.
23. Paying patients.—The number of paying patients
treated during the periods as compared with those of the two
previous years was as follows :—
Year.
1st January 1940 to 31st March
1940.
1940-41 .. ..
1939 .. ..
1938 .. ..
Male.
52
60
55
70
Female.
17
30
33
30
Total.
69
90
78
100
Unfortunately, for want of accommodation several paying
patients had to be refused admission.
24. Injuries, accidents, assaults and suicide.—There were no
cases of serious accidents or injuries. As in the last year,
I record with much gratification that there were no cases of
suicide during the periods under report although the number of
suicidal patients was more than 150. It certainly reflects on
the unremitting and tactful vigilance of the attendant staff who
have to discharge these onerous duties.
25. Absconding.—There was no case of escape during the
period, although a considerable amount of freedom was allowed
to the patients of all classes.
26. Autopsy.—Post-mortem examination was held on 16
cases during the period under report (four cases from 1st January
to 31st March 1940 and 12 cases during 1940-41) and many
interesting specimens were preserved in the Hospital Laboratory.
27. Conservancy and sanitation.—The general sanitation of
the whole area of the hospital including that of the staff lines
was satisfactory throughout the periods under report.
28. Methods of treatment of patients.—As usual plenty of
rest, fresh air, liberal dieting, sedatives, tonics, occupation, re-
creation, freedom from restraint, tact and persuasion and sugges-
tion were the chief means that were adopted for general treat-
ment. Besides, every endeavour was made, as in the past, to
keep in touch with various modern methods of active therapy,
which were also adopted in suitable cases as stated below :—
9
(i) Occupational therapy.—This therapy, as mentioned in
the previous reports, still continues to be the sheet anchor
of our treatment. More than 80 per cent of the total population
of the hospital was employed on various kinds of occupations,
such as poultry-keeping, gardening, farming (Agri-horticulture),
Carpentry, Smithy, Tailoring, Cane work and basket making,
Duree and carpet making, Weaving, Joss stick making, Cooking,
Lace and embroidery work, drawing and painting, Clay-modelling,
various domestic works, etc. All the repair work of the hospital,
e.g., of furniture, clothing, bedding, utensils, etc., is done in the
Occupational Therapy Department by the patients themselves.
(ii) Hydrotherapy.—As in the past years, this therapy was
more extensively given throughout the year under report. 102
males and 23 females (total 125) were given this treatment
during the period under report with excellent results as
compared with 108 patients in the previous year.
The
average hours of immersion per patient were 95 hours. This
was found to be the best and the safest method of treatment of
the excited condition of the patients and also for insomnia.
Unfortunately, on account of financial stringency, we are still
without a properly equipped Hydrotherapy Ward for this most
important branch of therapy in a Mental Hospital.
(iii) Drugs.–(a) Convulsion therapy by means of " Card-
iazol ".—During the period under report 31 patients were tried
with Cardiazol Shock Therapy with the following results :—
Recovered.
7
Improved.
9
Stationary.
15
Total.
31
Some of the early cases responded very well to this treatment,
which on account of its encouraging results, has now come to
stay as one of the principal forms of active therapy.
(b) Sulfosin Treatment.—As in previous years, this treat-
ment was also more extensively adopted in suitable cases during
the period under report and 62 patients were treated. The
results were as follows :—
Recovered.
9
Improved.
16
Stationary.
3
Marvellous results were achieved in various skin diseases
by Sulphur injections as the following table will show :—
––
Scabies .. ..
Eczema .. ..
Ring worm (extensive)..
Cured.
13
5
1
Stationary.
..
..
..
Improved.
..
..
..
10
(c) Treatment of epilepsy by sodium dilantin—13
epileptic
patients (10 males and 3 females) were treated with Sodium
Dilantin during the year under report. In 12 cases, the
frequency and severity of fits were certainly reduced while under
treatment, but they relapsed to their former condition soon after
the stoppage of the treatment. There was no effect of the drug
at all on one female patient. The above is our finding after two
years' experiment with this drug.
(d) The Nitrogen gas inhalation treatment as mentioned
in the last year's report by Lt.-Col. Dhunjibhoy, was tried
on 47 excited patients. Only 11 patients showed slight temporary
improvement. We have yet to be convinced about the distinc-
tive efficacy of this treatment.
(e) Prolonged continuous sleep treatment by Medinal and
Luminal details of which were mentioned in the last year's
Annual Report, was also adopted during the year under report
and the results were rather encouraging. No ill-effects of any
kind were noticed in any of the patients treated due to careful
medical and nursing supervision.
(iv) Physiotherapy.—The
following number of specimens
were examined in the hospital Laboratory during the period
under report:—
Blood .. .. .. ..
Urine .. .. .. ..
Stool .. .. .. ..
Sputum .. .. .. ..
Other examinations .. .. ..
690
942
1,086
119
34
Besides, 132 specimens of blood and 15 specimens of C. S. F.
were sent for W. R. and other tests in the Pathological
Department of the Prince of Wales Medical College, Patna
of which 26 of the former and 6 of the latter were positive and
those patients were given proper Anti-syphilitic treatment.
Eight mental patients with Syphilis in their blood were
treated with Col. Chatterjee's " Paritran " but no definite benefit
could be seen as a result of the treatment.
I however take this opportunity of expressing my thanks
to Col. K. K. Chatterjee, F. R. C. S. E., I. T. F., for supplying
his medicine for trial in the above mentioned cases.
11
(v) Dentistry.—1,835 patients received dental treatment
during the periods under review in the hospital dental clinic
from the Honorary Dental Surgeon who visits the hospital three
days in a week.
(vi) Operations.—Three major and 120 minor operations were
performed during the period under review.
(vii) Nasal feeding.—During the period under report 1,943
Nasal feeds were given to those patients who persistently refused
to eat or drink.
(viii) Diversional Therapy—(a) Games and Amusements.—
Games and amusements play an important role in the treatment
of patients in a modern mental hospital. The expenditure in
a Mental Hospital under this head as well as "Occupational
Therapy " should be regarded on a standard almost equivalent
to that incurred in general hospitals for the purchase of medicines
and surgical stores for therapeutic purposes. Every endeavour
is made to bring as many patients as possible to the play grounds
every afternoon where many of them take part in all sorts of
games, viz., Football, Hockey, Tennis, Badminton, Volley ball,
Quoits, Skipping, etc., and those who cannot take an active
part in any of these games watch the other patients playing.
As in all other previous years, during the year under report
the hospital Football and Hockey teams not only played several
friendly football matches with local teams, but also entered
in the Town League and Cup competitions, and I am happy to
be able to mention here that the hospital Hockey Team this year
secured the Championship of the Ranchi Hockey League " B "
Division and won the '' Berkeley-Hill " League Shield. A note-
worthy feature in this competition was that our team never lost
a single game.
Every evening, except on Cinema nights nearly 200 patients
assemble in the Amusement halls of both the Sections and
amuse themselves with various indoor games, viz., Dice, Card,
Chess, Carrom, Ludo, Bagatelle, etc., and radio and music. The
literate patients and those who are fond of reading are provided
with daily newspapers, Weeklies, Magazines, etc.
(b) Special Entertainments.—The following is a list of
special entertainments given to the patients during the period
under review :—
1. The Annual Hospital Sports.
2. Christmas Tree.
12
3. A few theatrical performances by the students of the
Prince of Wales Medical College, Patna, staff and
outsiders.
4. Ramayan Katha by Pandit Ramashray Rai, M.A.,
L.L.B.
5. Magic performance by Prof. Gavin.
(c) Bratachari Dance.—Under the guidance of a specially
trained Attendant, several patients have formed a beautiful
Bratachari Dance Party and they enjoy this dance every
evening. This also serves the purpose of a very good physical
exercise. This party gave an exhibition dance in the Ranchi
Health Exhibition which was greatly appreciated by the public.
(d) Cinema.—In the hospital Cinema 58 Talkie shows were
given to the patients during the period under report which were
immensely enjoyed by them. The distributors and proprietors
of English, Bengali and Hindi films were kind enough to supply
us with their films at concession rates for the hospital to whom
my special thanks are due, specially to Messrs. Prima Films
(1938) Limited, and Messrs. British Distributors (India) Limited,
who supplied some of their best films at the lowest rate, thus
contributing to the relief of monotony of prolonged stay of most
of the patients in the hospital.
(e) The hospital band continued to entertain the patients
of both the Sections during the period under report.
(f) Paroles and Motor Drives.—As usual patients of both
sexes were granted local parole with or without attendants and
batches of patients were sent out for motor drives daily to
Ranchi and the dependable patients were allowed to do their
shopping in the town.
(g) Annual Picnics.—As in previous years in the month of
February in the years 1940 and 1941, 250 male and 100 female
patients were taken out to a neighbouring riverside garden for
a whole day picnic, where they were treated with a sumptuous
lunch and tea. The patients amused themselves with various
indoor and outdoor games there. It was indeed a pleasant
sight to see them marching with the hospital band and enjoying
the outing for a picnic once a year.
(h) Religious Therapy.—As in the past Kirtans and
Bhajans for the Hindus, Milad Sharif for the Mohammadans
and Divine Services for the Christians, including religious
13
discourses, relating stories from sacred books, and songs were
regularly held during the period under report. Besides, several
patients observed fasting on different occasions according to their
religious beliefs and every facility was afforded to them.
During Durga Puja festival hundreds of patients went out to
visit the local celebrations held outside the hospital and Id
prayers were held inside the hospital.
I take this opportunity to express my best thanks to the
Panditji and Moulvi Saheb for giving religious therapy to my
patients on a very nominal honorarium and to all the Christian
Padris for giving similar services to the Christian patients with-
out any honorarium. In some patients this therapy was found
to be of particular benefit in adjusting their mental conflicts.
29. Feasts.—As in the previous years special feasts were
given to the patients during special religious festive occasions
such as Pujahs, Holi, Id, Christmas and on the New Year Day.
30. Libraries.—(1) There are 3,621 books in English,
Bengali, Hindi, Oriya and Urdu, for the library of patients and
full advantage was taken by the literate patients throughout
the year. The following newspapers and monthly magazines
were continued to be supplied to the hospital library free of cost
and my best thanks are due to their respective proprietors :—
1. Statesman.
2. Amrita Bazar Patrika.
3. Advance.
4. Searchlight.
5. Basumati.
6. Illustrated Weekly of India.
7. Probasi.
8. Bharatbarsha.
(2) The medical library was also replenished by a few new
books and the usual supply of several medical and Psychiatric
journals was continued and fully utilized by the staff.
31. Hospital garden.—The garden afforded the greatest
facilities for the employment of a large number of patients—
about 500 daily—in both the sections Agriculture and Horticul-
tural, details of which were mentioned in the previous years'
reports. In India it is a national occupation and majority of the
patients, therefore, take it very easily and willingly. The whole
garden is run entirely with patients' labour and the hospital is
self-supporting in respect of its requirement of vegetables and
14
fruits. Our garden is perhaps the largest of its kind in Bengal,
Bihar and Orissa. I must say that manual labour in the garden
has been found to be the best tonic for the maintenance of good
physical health in mental patients. It is a note-worthy fact that
chronic patients are very good workers in the garden
32. Finance.—(1) Receipts.—The receipts from all sources
amounted to Rs. 28,132-1-6 in 1940-41 and Rs. 6,371-13-9 from
1st January 1940 to 31st March 1940 as compared with
Rs. 25,153-1-6 in 1939 and Rs. 25,459-4-0 in 1938.
The following table shows the total amount of realisation
from paying patients and also the miscellaneous receipts, which
include the sale proceeds of garden vegetables and other articles
manufactured by patients in the Occupational Therapy Depart-
ments : —
Heads.
Receipts from pay-
ing patients.
Miscellaneous
1940-41.
Rs.
25,887
2,244
a.
15
2
p.
6
0
1st January 1940
to
31st March 1940.
Rs.
5,811
560
a.
8
5
p.
6
3
1939.
Rs.
21,224
3,928
a.
2
15
p.
6
6
1938
Rs.
23,357
2,101
a.
6
13
p.
9
3
(2) Expenditure.—The total expenditure exclusive of
amounts received from paying patients and miscellaneous
receipts was Rs. 4,72,793-12-0 in 1940-41 and Rs. 1,31,962-14-0
from 1st January 1940 to 31st March 1940 as compared to
Rs. 4,80,951-4-9 in 1939 and Rs. 4,63,509-2-1 in 1938.
33. Per capita cost.—Annual average cost per patient.—
The following table shows the per capita cost during the periods
under review and the two previous years :—
Year.
1st January 1940 to
31st March 1940.
1940-41 ..
1939 .. ..
1938 .. ..
Including
Public Works
Department
charges.
Rs.
97
348
353
344
a.
10
14
9
10
p.
9
7
2
4
Excluding
Public Works
Department
charges.
Rs.
87
321
325
312
a.
12
12
5
6
p.
7
6
3
2
15
34. Staff.—(a) General health and conduct.—The general
health of the staff throughout the period under report was good.
The general conduct of the staff was satisfactory and discip-
line was well maintained, as in previous years. Only in a few
cases severe disciplinary action was called for. I express my
indebtedness to the staff as a whole for their loyalty and the
whole-hearted co-operation in the management of the hospital
in general and to the two Assistant Superintendents for their
valuable help and constant loyalty to me in particular.
(b) Transfers and postings.—The following changes took
place amongst the medical staff during the period under
report :—
1. Dr. A. A. Choudhury reverted to Bengal and
Dr. Rahim Buksh was deputed in his place by
the Government of Bengal.
2. Dr. S. K. Ray, Sub-Assistant Surgeon,was transferred
to Military duty and Dr. S. M. Karim, Sub-Assistant
Surgeon was posted in his place.
3. Dr. S. M. Karim, Sub-Assistant Surgeon also proceeded
to Miltary duty and Dr. G. B. Banerjee was posted
in his place.
4. Dr. A. D. Nundy, Sub-Assistant Surgeon, was trans-
ferred to the Darbhanga Medical School on the
expiry of his term and Dr. M. L. Sen Gupta was
posted in his place.
35. Managing Committee.—The following is a list of the
members of the Managing Committee, who meet twice a year :—
1. Secretary to the Government of Bengal, Local Self-
Government Department.
2. Surgeon-General with the Government of Bengal.
3. Mr. Saileswar Singh Roy, M.L.C.
4. Mr. Jagat Chandra Mandal, M.L.A.
5. Moulvi Abdul Hakeem, M.A., B.L., M.L.A.
6. Khan Bahadur Moulvi Abdul Momin, C.I.E.
7. Mr. M. Farhat Reza Choudhury, M.L.A.
8. Mr. Abdul Rashid Mahmood, M.L.A.
16
9. The Commissioner of Chota Nagpur Division.
10. Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Bihar.
11. Babu Brajeswar Sahay, B.A., B.L.
12. Mr. Mohiuddin Ahmad, M.L.A.
13. Director of Health and Inspector-General of Prisons,
Orissa.
I wish to record my deep thanks to Mr. E. O. Lee, I.C.S., the
Chairman and all the members of the Managing Committee for
their very valuable support, guidance and sympathetic considera-
tion as in the past in all matters relating to the administration
of the hospital which were brought before them during the year
under report.
36. Committee of visitors.— Fifteen meetings in the Male
Section and 15 in the Female Section were held during the
periods under report.
Both ladies and gentlemen of the Board of Visitors took
a keen interest in the welfare of the hospital, and worked
throughout the year with unremitting zeal.
37. The hospital was also visited by the following officials
and other distinguished personages during the period under
review :—
1. The Commissioner of Chota Nagpur Division.
2. Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Bihar.
3. Secretary to the Government of Bihar, Local Self-
Government Department.
4. Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Punjab.
5. Dr. T. N. Banerjee, M.R.C.P., Principal and Professor
of Medicine, Prince of Wales Medical College,
Patna.
6. Dr. S. C. Chatterjee, M.D. (Edin.), M.R.C.P. D.P.H., Chief
Medical and Health Officer,
North-Western
Railway, Lahore.
7. Members of the Managing Committee.
38. Casual visitors.—The hospital was also visited by several
ladies and gentlemen, Indian and European, throughout the
period under report.
17
I express my heartfelt thanks on behalf of my patients to
all the ladies and gentlemen who contributed freely to our
Donation Fund.
39. Lecturers.—The students of the Prince of Wales Medical
College, Patna, were as usual sent in two batches to this hospital
during the year 1940 to undergo a course of intensive training
in mental diseases.
The post-graduate students of the Department of Psychology
and Philosophy of Calcutta University as well as senior students
of Psychology of Patna College visited the hospital during the
period; on these occasions short lectures with demonstration
of cases were delivered to the students.
40. General.—(1) Kanke Co-operative Credit Society.—
The Society continued to render very good services to its finan-
cially distressed members and proved its existence for the great
benefit of those who needed its help. The number of share-
holders of the Society was 376 during the year under report.
The total amount of loan granted to various members was
Rs. 4,980.
(2) War works.—Rs. 688-12-9 was contributed to the
District War Fund. The amount was raised by arranging two
Charity shows in the hospital and also by sale of flags, etc.
Besides, contributions were also made from time to time to various
other funds organised in the town for raising funds for the War.
The staff were encouraged to help such organisations and to buy
tickets, etc.
Two of the Sub-Assistant Surgeons of this hospital were
sent to Military duty and three male attendants have also
volunteered for Military services.
(3) Training in First Aid.—Regular classes were held to
train a number of male and female attendants of this hospital
in First Aid.
(4) Census work.—Some of the staff of this hospital were
appointed as Supervisors and Enumerators to carry out the
Census work of 1941 at Kanke and they all performed the work
ungrudgingly in addition to their own heavy duties not only of
the large area of the Indian Mental Hospital, but also of other
units. Their work was greatly appreciated by the District
Census Officer.