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(condition of the asylum showed a marked improvement on previous years.
Though cholera prevailed in the neighbourhood, only two cases occurred in
the asylum, and neither of them terminated fatally. Dysentery, which was
formerly very rife, was of comparatively infrequent occurrence, and only 35
cases of dysentery and diarrhœa occurred during the year, against 103 in 1875.
It was discovered by Dr. Payne early in the year that the lunatics were in the
habit of drinking stagnant water which had been used for the purpose of purifi-
cation. The adoption of measures to prevent this was followed by a prompt
disappearance of intestinal worms and a great reduction in bowel-complaints
generally. Dr. Payne explains that the net profits from the asylum industry
would have been much larger had not an outlay of Rs. 8,800 on buildings been
defrayed from the receipts. Dr. Beatson quotes some remarks of the Deputy
Surgeon-General, Dr. Cockburn, on the management of this asylum. The
Lieutenant-Governor fully concurs in the testimony borne by Dr. Cockburn
to the excellence of Dr. Payne's administration, but would be glad if the
Superintendent could devise some means of keeping the expenditure of the
institution within somewhat narrower limits.
Dacca.—The average daily strength was only 206.8, against 250 in the pre-
vious year. Admissions numbered only 65, against 109.8, the previous quinquen-
nial average. The proportion discharged cured was 2.9 per cent. of average
strength, against 13.98, and that discharged " improved" 11.60, against 4.32.
The Superintendent explains the decrease under the former head by the
increase under the latter. His remarks, however, are not quite clear. He
states that the number discharged as " improved" includes some whom, but for
the Government orders, he would have kept back for a time. It does not
appear, therefore, that these persons would have under any circumstances
appeared as "cured." In any case the total of the two classes is only 14.5,
against 18.3. A partial explanation is probably to be found in the falling off in
admissions, but this will not account for the greater part of the decrease. There
was some overcrowding among the males, but this was not, in the Superintend-
ent's opinion, prejudicial to their health. A new ward to accommodate 40
patients was approaching completion at the close of the year. Reference has
already been made to the comparative unhealthiness of this asylum. It
appears that in 1875 the Deputy Surgeon-General of the circle remarked
on the excessive and draughty ventilation of the female wards. It is also to
be remarked that a very discreditable system of peculation by subordinates,
reflecting seriously on the administration of several of the late Superintendents,
has recently been brought to light. The circumstances leave little doubt that
the lunatics were unscrupulously deprived of their proper allowance of food.
It is not remarkable, therefore, that dysentery and diarrhœa caused 42 per cent.
of the mortality among the males and 37.5 per cent. of that among the females,
while debility accounted for 15.7 and 25 per cent. respectively. There appears
to be no reason why this asylum should continue to be unhealthy.
Patna.—The results were fairly favourable in this asylum. Admissions fell
from an average of 103.6 to 80. The percentage of patients discharged
" improved" was 3.5 against an average of 2; and the percentage "cured"
(16.3), though less than the previous quinquennial average of 19.9, showed an
improvement on the results of the two years immediately preceding. The most
prominent feature in the sanitary history of the asylum during the year was the
large comparative mortality from phthisis. This complaint caused 54 per cent.
of the mortality among males and 60 per cent. of that among females. No
explanation has been offered of this, nor is any suggested by the special
circumstances of the asylum.
Cuttack.—The condition of this small and expensive asylum is unsatisfac-
tory. It was considerably overcrowded during a part of the year, and there is
no separate hospital accommodation. The combined percentages of " cured "
and "improved" only amounted to 19.7, against the quinquennial average of
26.8. The death-rate was exceptionally high, amounting to 16.75 among males
and to 28.57 among females. The Superintendent explains, however, that nearly