LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
5
method permits much latitude in assigning names to particular affections. Under
every head except the two last, the numbers are reduced from those of 1878.
STATEMENT No. 7.
FORM OF INSANITY.
Acute
mania ... ... ... ... ... ...
Chronic „
...
...
...
...
...
...
Melancholia
...
...
...
...
...
...
Acute dementia
...
...
...
...
...
...
Chronic
„
...
...
...
...
...
...
Idiocy ... ... ... ... ... ...
Imbecility ... ... ... ... ... ...
Amentia ... ... ... ... ... ...
Number treated.
239
459
101
57
278
8
5
1
Number cured.
45
24
4
1
4
......
......
......
Ratio per cent.
18.82
5.22
3.96
1.75
1.43
......
......
......
Among the recent orders that have affected asylum populations, there is a
provision against the commitment of persons suffering from intoxication
unless they be dangerous. In effect of this ganja-smokers with acute mania
have been admitted in smaller numbers and they are the class among whom
recovery is most frequent. It follows that recoveries from acute mania grow
less numerous. In 1878 there were admitted 89 cases of acute mania from
ganja with 61 recoveries; in 1879 there were 58 admissions and 41
recoveries. This proportion is slightly in favour of 1879, but the smaller
number of such cases in the total of acute mania reduces the recoveries from
that affection from 26 per cent. in 1878 to 18 in 1879. The same influence
is traceable in other mental affections in less degree.
14. Causes of insanity.—The usual table is appended setting forth the assign-
ed causes of insanity. It has been shown before that information on this point,
difficult to procure everywhere, is even more so in this country with reference
to the classes who enter the asylums. In private life this difficulty is not so
great here as it is in England. There is less reluctance to speak of the here-
ditary tendency and to disclose the habits which have preceded an attack.
Error may arise here as elsewhere from mistaking those practices for causes
of insanity which are often only its first manifestations, but concealment and self
deception are less prevalent. Among the pauper class information as to cause,
unless the case be that of a known ganja-smoker, is often not procurable;
and as the formal statement of the cases includes a direct question, an
imaginary cause is entered. Though it may be said of some ganja-smokers,
as of other inebriates, that their resort to a stimulant is an effect and not a
genuine cause of mental failure, it is probable that the figures in the table do
not overstate the actual causation by this means, for any possible error of
this kind will be more than counterbalanced by the number of cases in which
ganja-smoking has been the real cause unknown at the outset. This is
seen in the persons who, after recovery, admit either the habit or a single
excess, and in others who have been drugged involuntarily. Of the total
admissions in 1879 there were 43 ordinary and 18 criminal cases attributable
to ganja, bhang, and churrus; five ordinary casess and one criminal case to
ardent spirits; one ordinary and one criminal case to opium. It is unprofitable
to discuss the other alleged causes for reasons already stated.
15. Sickness.—The details given in the appendix will show that there has
been great increase of fatal sickness among lunatics in Bengal in the past year.
Much diversity of practice probably exists with regard to the cases entered
as admitted to hospital. One Superintendent will record in this manner
every person who quits his work from inability, whatever may be the parti-
cular reason. Another has a list of trivial ailments which are treated as out-
patients and not included in his admissions. A third has a convalescent list.
On this account no accurate comparison can be made of the total admissions to
hospital recorded in the several asylums, though the entries of serious diseases
are comparable and the numbers and causes of the deaths. For the same reason
the variations in recorded sickness will not be found to correspond with
those of mortality. Excluding the Hazaribagh Asylum, we have admissions
into hospital nearly the same as in 1878 and less by 86 than those of 1877.