16
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
also noticed that the place seemed almost free from dysentery and diarrhœa ; and this
exemption, on being examined, was as closely connected with the disuse of stagnant water in
point of time as was the disappearance of lumbrici.
“ There has been no other change in the management to throw a doubt on this connec-
tion, and at present I am compelled to ascribe the advantage gained to the impossibility of
introducing foul water into the system. It seems evident that the reduction of dysentery and
diarrhœa from 103 cases in 1875 to 35 in 1876, among a nearly equal number of persons, must
have some cause more definite than those which determine the seasonal range of such affections
as these; and it will be a matter of much interest to watch the course of events for further
evidence, as the dysentery which is the subject of these remarks is probably closely allied to the
condition which is very fatal in jails and other populous institutions. That dysentery will ever
be banished from an Indian lunatic asylum is too much to expect. The filthy practices of
maniacs cannot without undue restraint be subdued by the hands of native establishments,
and these alone are sufficient to create a certain quantity of the disease; but, resting my hopes
on the facts lately observed, I think further benefit may be looked for, if it shall not be
possible to extend throughout this asylum the practice of shower-bathing which has been
introduced with excellent effect into the female ward.”
Mortality.
14. During the year (males 23, females 10) 33 lunatics died, or at the rate of (males
10.54, females 13.78) 11.35 per cent. of mean strength. It is very pleasing to observe that
the rate of the total mortality is lower than it has been in any year since 1865, with the
exception of 1873, and the death-rate of males has been lower than in any year of the
preceding quinquennial period with the exception of 1873, as has that of females been also,
with the exception of 1872 and 1874. In the following table will be shown those diseases
which caused the greatest mortality amongst the male and female lunatics, as well as the
proportion they contributed to the total number of deaths :—
DISEASES.
Phthisis
...
...
...
Dysentery
...
...
...
Diseases of nervous system ...
Other diseases ...
Total ...
MALES.
Deaths.
9
8
4
2
23
Per cent. of
total mortality.
39.13
34.78
17.39
8.69
100
DISEASES.
Phthisis
...
...
...
Dysentery ... ... ...
Diseases of nervous system ...
Other diseases ... ...
Total ...
FEMALES.
Deaths.
2
4
1
3
10
Per cent. of
total mortality.
20
40
10
30
100
From the foregoing table it appears that phthisis, dysentery, and diseases of the nervous
system, caused upwards of 90 per cent. of the total mortality of the male patients, and
70 per cent. of that of the females. As compared with 1875, there has been but a trifling
difference in the percentage of the deaths from dysentery to the total mortality of the male
lunatics, but that from phthisis has been more than doubled, and from diseases of the
nervous system has been considerably increased. Among the females the proportion of
deaths from dysentery has been more than doubled, that from phthisis has been raised by
nearly 3 per cent., and that from diseases of the nervous system has slightly decreased. The
absence of cholera as a cause of death is a satisfactory proof of the excellence of the
sanitary arrangements of this institution.
Mortality of
criminal lunatics.
15. Of the criminal lunatics only four males died, or at the rate of 6.29 per cent. of
the mean strength of this class.
Admissions
according to age.
Occupation.
Caste.
District.
Physical and
moral causes.
16. Taken according to age, it appears that the majority of males and females were
admitted between the ages of 20 and 40, next between 40 and 60, then under 20, and
lastly above 60 years of age. Of the occupation of patients prior to admission, it is found
that of the males in 21 cases the occupation was “unknown,” 18 had no occupation, 16 were
coolies, 10 were cultivators, 6 were shopkeepers. 4 were priests, 4 servants, 4 sepoys,
4 beggars, 3 tailors, &c, &c. Hindoos formed 70 per cent., Mahomedans 24 per cent., and
Christians 6 per cent., of the total admissions. As to the district from which the lunatics
came, it is found that 20.3 per cent. were from Burdwan, 69 per cent from the Presidency,
.6 per cent. each from Chota Nagpore and Bhagulpore, and 9.5 per cent. from the Cuttack
asylum. Among the physical causes of insanity of the total number of lunatics treated, it
appears that the chief, in order of frequency, were ganja, epilepsy, spirit, bhang, hereditary,
&c., &c., and of the moral causes, grief, jealousy, and fever. The statements made in this
paragraph have a very general agreement with those which have been more fully tabulated
in former years.
Buildings.
17. Regarding the asylum buildings Dr. Payne writes as follows:—“ I am glad to report
that the dining-house of the asylum was completed during the year, and the design carried
out, which had been commenced some years ago, from the industrial funds of the institution.