LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
7
16. Forms of Insanity.—The number of cases of acute mania admitted
rose from 73 in 1880 to 99 in 1881. The difference was chiefly marked at Patna,
where the number rose from 4 to 24. It is probable that something is due here
to change of nomenclature, for the entire number of admissions fell in 1881, and
admissions for chronic mania were reduced from 33 to 5. Moreover, in the 7th
statement of the appendix, it is seen that the cases ascribed to ganja, &c., the
chief cause of acute mania, showed no marked variation in the two years. The
recoveries and deaths from the two forms of mania were fewer in 1881, pointing,
so far as it goes, to the conclusion that the more fatal condition was not more
prevalent in the later year. The proportion of maniacal cases to total admissions
at Patna in 1881 was more than a half. The largest absolute number of
admissions for mania fell, as usual, on the Presidency Asylum, but the propor-
tions of the acute and chronic affection were not materially altered from the
previous year. They formed together three-fourths of the admissions. At
Dacca maniacal admissions fell from 21 in 1880 to 14 in 1881, and formed less
than one-third of the total. At Cuttack the admissions in both years were
ascribed almost entirely to mania, and chiefly to acute mania. At Berham-
pore no form of insanity other than mania is reported to have been admitted
in either year or in 1879. This uniformity is probably due to a desire for sim-
plicity in nomenclature, especially at Berhampore, for neither are the alleged
causes nor the results such as would be expected in a population composed so
largely of maniacs. It is observable also that the proportion of cases in which
the cause is unascertained is much larger at Berhampore than elsewhere. The
other points indicated in the table are the large number of cases of acute
dementia among the admissions of Patna, and of chronic dementia among those
of Dacca. This is in accordance with past records.
TABLE No 8.
Percentage of recoveries on total treated.
Acute mania ... ...
Chronic mania ... ...
Melancholia ... ...
Acute dementia ... ...
Chronic dementia ...
1879.
18.82
5.22
3.96
1.75
1.43
1880.
15.42
3.33
2.46
6.34
3.06
1881.
17.37
8.66
1.28
5.12
1.18
17. In the last report reasons were given for distrusting the evidence of
these figures. Differences of nomenclature arise from many causes. The
foregoing paragraph affords some evidence of idiosyncrasy with reference to
cases on admission and, subsequently to admission, cases are variously treated
as to alteration of names. This results in confusion, which would probably
be increased if its prevention were attempted.
18. Causes of Insanity.—A detailed statement of alleged causes is given
in the appendix. The most easily ascertainable cause is the use of intoxica-
ting drugs. It is nevertheless certain that the figures which purport to shew
this are below the truth. Of 213 admissions in 1881, no less than 69 were
directly ascribed to some form of hemp, and 13 to ardent spirits. Cases of in-
toxication are not uncommonly admitted with the title of hereditary insanity,
and grief is alleged as the cause of many which are really due to the method
employed to solace it. Of 72 criminals primarily admitted, intoxicating agents
were said to have caused the insanity of 22. Of the total number treated in the
asylum during the year, viz. 1,094, no less than 328 had been ascribed to one or
other form of intoxication. While, on the one hand, it is necessary to point out
that this number is probably far below the truth, it should, on the other hand,
be remembered, that there are cases in which resort to intoxicants is only
one of the first manifestations of mental unsoundness and, though the symp-
toms may be immediately produced by the drugs or the alcohol used, the true
cause of insanity is antecedent, and the disease is genuine.
With 69 admissions ascribed to ganja, &c., there were 39 recoveries in 1881.
The proportion is not large, and the exclusion of many cases of mere tempo-
rary intoxication doubtless continues. The number, however, does not include
criminals who recovered but were still detained in asylums. It relates only