LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
17
45. The lunatics were disposed as follows :—
Discharged cured ... ... ...
Made over to military authorities
Despatched to Europe under Merchant Ship-
ing Act ... ... ...
Transferred to care of friends ... ...
Despatched to Europe as still insane ...
Died
...
...
...
...
Total ...
Male.
2
...
3
6
3
1
15
Female.
1
...
...
6
...
...
7
Total.
3
...
3
12
3
1
22
The ratio per cent. of cures and transfers to total treated was 41.17, and
on the daily average number 70.
46. There was one death only in the year. This occurred in a broken
down, demented sailor. The general health has been very good indeed.
There was little or no sickness throughout the year.
47. Filtered water was laid on to the asylum during the year. A connec-
tion was made with the General Hospital supply at a small cost. Formerly
municipal water was conveyed from Calcutta in iron reservoir carts to the
asylum. This institution is kept in excellent order, and scrupulous attention
is paid to the hygiene of the inmates. At my inspection and visits I have
been much pleased with the excellent order and method which obtain in this
asylum. The insanes are well fed and clothed, and most kindly treated. The
facilities for bathing and recreation are ample. Dr. Murray reports that the
buildings are not in good repair. A covered way leading from the female
sitting and dining room to the gate of the female ward was erected by Messrs.
Marillier and Edwards during the year. The latter work cost Rs. 244.
48. On the 31st December there remained in the asylum 29 persons—
13 males and 16 females. Of these, 13 were Europeans, 14 East Indians, and
2 Armenians.
49. The female ward was again overcrowded. The daily average
number of women was 16, and for some time there were 17 located therein.
The ward is constructed to accommodate 12 persons only. This question
of overcrowding is one which must now be faced and provided against
by the erection of a new ward, or the extension of some of the buildings at
present in use. It would be a most dangerous proceeding to place two insanes
together in one room, but this will have to be done, should the demand for
additional admissions continue. The Department of Public Works might be
requested to examine the buildings and to report what increase of accommoda-
tion it is possible to make to them.
50. Causes of insanity.—The alleged causes of the insanity treated during
the year are given by the Superintendent in the following table:—
PARTICULARS.
Masturbation
...
...
...
...
...
...
Intemperance
...
...
...
...
...
...
Study ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Hereditary ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Epilepsy ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Fever and rheumatism
...
...
...
...
Venereal ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Injury to head
...
...
...
...
...
...
Not insane ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Unknown ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Domestic trouble
...
...
...
...
...
Climacteric change ... ... ... ... ... ...
Congenital ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Child-birth
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total
...
TOTAL TREATED.
Males.
5
5
1
5
2
1
1
1
1
6
......
......
......
......
28
Females.
......
1
......
10
......
......
......
......
......
3 4
1
2
2
23
Total.
5
6
1
15
2
1
1
1
1
9
4
1
2
2
51
ADMITTED.
Males.
1
4
......
2
......
......
......
1
1
3
......
......
......
......
12
Females.
......
......
......
3
......
......
......
......
......
1
2
1
1
......
8
Total.
1
4
......
5
......
......
......
1
1
4
2
1
1
......
20
51. Finance—The total expenditure of the year was Rs. 19,731 against
Rs. 19,804 in 1884.