( 2 )
in 1907, the number of cases being 43 against 20 in the previous year. During
my inspection of the asylum on the 15th July 1907, I observed defects in
connection with drinking water-supply, and since those have been remedied, the
Superintendent reports a noticeable reduction in these complaints. There was
one case of small-pox against 3in 1906. All were modified in type. There were
no deaths. On the appearance of the disease all inmates were re-vaccinated, and
the cases were carefully segregated. The disease was prevalent in the
immediate neighbourhood of the asylum when the cases occurred.
At Berhampore bowel disorders showed a decided falling off, the admis-
sions being 37 against 101 in 1906. This was due not only to the causes men-
tioned above which contributed to better health of the lunatics in 1907, but
also to the fact that the patients were regularly examined and treated for intes-
tinal parasites. Tubercular phthisis, as usual, accounted for a large number of
admissions, viz.,24 with 22 deaths,against 28 and 21, respectively, in 1906. The
Superintendent says that the infection was brought from Dullanda. It is noto-
rious that lunatics in all parts of the world are extremely liable to this malady.
Of the 22 patients who died of the pulmonary form of the affection, no fower
than 12 exibited symptoms of the disease on admission and 8 of them died
within a year of their residence in the asylum. As stated above, suitable
arrangements have now been made for the separate treatment and segregation
of tubercular patients.
Fevers were less common, there having been in all 185 cases against 267 in
1906.
The issue of prophylactic doses of quinine in unhealthy months probably
contributed to this favourable result.
The total death-rate on daily average strength was 8.94 per cent. against
10.27 in 1906 and 9.19 per cent. in 1905. The rate of mortality in 1907 was
less than that recorded for the same year in the asylums in Eastern Bengal
and Assam, 9.88;United Provinces, 9.13; Punjab, 17.59; and Madras, 16.30.
It was even less than that obtained in 1906 in the County and Borough
Asylums in England (10.11). The death-rate for the province was highest at
Berhampore (9.37) and lowest at Bhawanipur (2.58).
Two of the patients who died at Berhampore had spent 35 years in the
asylum, and two others ever 20 years.
Statement II.
4. Criminal lunatics—Admissions numbered 88, or 14 less than in 1906.
The number re-admitted also decreased by 13,
being 8 against 21. These decreases mostly
occurred at Berhampore and have already been explained. Discharges fell off
by 21, being 66 against 87 in 1906, and deaths were fewer by 8. The daily
average strength was 403.72, or 5.62 higher than in 1906.
Statements III, IV and V.
5. These do not call for special remarks.
Statement VI.
6. Amongst the admissions, mania, as usual, was the chief form of lunacy,
having furnished 106 cases, or 54.08 per cent. of
the total number admitted. Recoveries from this
type of insanity were also the largest, being 5.23 per cent. against 6.54 in 1906.
Melancholia accounted for 41 admissions, or 20.92 per cent. against 18.48 in
1906. The percentage of recoveries was 97 against 1.23 in 1906. There was
one case of general paralysis of the insane at Berhampore—a European who was
sent there by the Magistrate of the 24-Parganas.
He has recently been sent to
England under proper escort. There were 2 cases of mental stupor at Bhawani-
pur and 3 at Berhampore. Thirteen are returned under delusional insanity, 12
being at Bhawanipur and 1 at Patna.
Statement VII.
7. Of the 196 admissions, 82, or 41.84 per cent., were attributed to
physical causes, 12.24 per cent. to moral causes,
whi l e in 45.92 per cent. the causes were not known
against 59.24 per cent. in 1906. The improvement in the latter respect is to
a great extent due to the exertions of the Superintendent at Berhampore, who
even after the admission
of the lunatics obtained additional information by
prolonged correspondence with the officers concerned. His success is indicated
by the fact that in 19 cases of lunatics, remaining on the 31st December 1906,
whose cause of l unacy
had not been previouly ascertained, he was able to
obtain the required particulars in 1907.
The alleged causes are usaually obtained from the Medical History Sheets,
which are required to be sent with the lunatics. Since the Government order
No. 18Medl., dated the 25th March 1993, was issued, giving directions as to
the preparation of these sheets, the complaints of the Superintendents that they
are not always properly filled in by committing officers have not ceased. The
Superintendent of the Patna Asylum remarks that these forms are generally
filled in very carelessly in the office of the committing Magistrates, and that
proper enquiries
are not made by the Police.