LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
3
On the 1st January 1899 the total number of lunatics was 13 less than that
on the same date in 1898. There was, however, an increase of 61 in the number
admitted during the year under report. The total number discharged, on the
other hand, was greater by 56. There was an increase of 39 in the number of
recoveries, 5 each in the number improved and not improved, and 7 in the
number discharged otherwise. The number of deaths also exceeded that of 1898
by 14. The total number remaining in the asylums at the end of the year was
889, or 22 less than in 1898.
The number of criminal lunatics remaining at the end of the year was 476,
against 477 in 1898, the proportion to the total asylum population being 53.54
per cent. and 52.36, respectively.
3. Admissions—Show an increase of 58 as compared with the previous
year. The numbers admitted into the different asylums are given below :—
Dullunda
...
...
Dacca ... ...
Patna ... ...
Cuttack ... ...
Berhampore ... ...
Total ...
1898.
31
38
42
10
23
144
1899.
69 + 38
40 + 2
42
15 + 5
36 + 13
202
The increase was the largest at Dullunda, but the Superintendent of that
asylum cannot assign any reason for it. The excess occurred both among
criminals (23) and non-criminals (15). Calcutta and 24-Parganas furnished 52
cases, against 27 in 1898. Howrah sent 11, against 3 in the previous year.
The Superintendent of the Berhampore Asylum cannot also satisfactorily
explain the excess of 13 in that institution. The increase, however, was not
local, but two districts of the Rajshahi Division, viz., Rajshahi and Dinajpur,
sent 6 lunatics each, against nil in 1898. More lunatics were also received from
Jessore and Nadia. At Cuttack the Superintendent attributes the increase to
the admission of cases of temporary insanity sent for observation. The small
increase at Dacca calls for no remarks. Criminal lunatics must of course be
admitted into an asylum, but in regard to non-criminal lunatics Government
circular No. 42, dated 3rd December 1891, enjoins on the local authorities that
greater discrimination should be exercised in sending a lunatic to an asylum.
Although the increase in the number of admissions during 1899 was unusually
large, it will be early to suppose that the instructions of Government were not
fully carried out. If, however, the admissions during the current year show
an increase, the attention of the Magistrates can be drawn to the circular
quoted above.
4. Readmissions—Were 3 more than in the previous year. The figures for
each asylum are given below: —
Dullunda
...
...
...
Dacca ... ... ...
Patna ... ... ...
Cuttack ... ... ...
Berhampore
...
Total ...
1898.
4
4
4
...
3
15
1899.
9
4
1
1
3
18
Of the 9 readmissions at Dullunda, 7 were criminals and 2 non-criminals. Of
the former, 4 were sent back to the asylum after trial, 1 was a case of temporary
recovery and was returned to the asylum by his friends after five months, 1 was
discharged cured to stand his trial, and was received back after 18 months, and
1 was readmitted as a criminal lunatic after having been discharged cured as a
non-criminal lunatic two months before. Of the two non-criminals, one was a
case of recurrent lunacy after one year and six months. The second was
discharged cured to stand his trial as a criminal lunatic, and was received
back into the asylum as a non-criminal after six and half months.
B 2