14
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
A larger number of persons than usual were made over to the care of
friends, as well as of persons despatched to Europe while still insane, under
the merchant shipping act, or otherwise.
The ratio per cent, of cures and transfers to total number treated was 41.18,
against 27.5 in 1882.
There was one death in the asylum in 1883, that of a man who was
admitted in a very emaciated condition, the consequence of chronic diarrhœa,
which was the cause of death.
At the close of the year there remained under treatment 29 persons, 15
males and 14 females. There were 14 Europeans among the number, 13 East
Indians, and 2 Armenians.
36. Causes of insanity.—The alleged causes of the insanity treated during
the year are given by the superintendent as follows:—
PARTICULARS.
Ganja
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Masterbation ... ... ... ... ... ...
Congenital
...
...
...
...
...
...
Intemperance ... ... ... ... ... ...
Hereditary
...
...
...
...
...
...
Paralysis
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Study
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Epilepsy
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Not insane
...
...
...
...
...
...
Injury to head
...
...
...
...
...
...
Childbirth
...
...
...
...
...
...
Religious excitement ...
...
...
...
...
Domestic trouble
...
...
...
...
...
Unknown ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Total ...
TOTAL TREATED.
Males.
1
1
1
4
7
1
1
4
......
1
......
4
......
8
33
Females.
......
......
......
2
10
......
......
......
1
......
2
......
2
1
18
Total.
1
1
1
6
17
1
1
4
1
1
2 4
2
9
51
ADMITTED.
Males.
1
......
1
1
2
1
......
2
......
1
......
4
......
8
21
Females.
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
1
......
1
......
1
......
3
Total.
1
......
1
1
2
1
......
2
1
1
1
4
1
8
24
The predominance of heredity as a cause is no doubt a fact.
37. Finance.—The total expenditure of the year was Rs. 19,860, against
Rs. 21,136 in 1882. Of this decrease the main cause is the transfer of the
institution to the charge of the resident surgeon, general hospital, of which
the effect was felt during the entire year.
The cost of diet, stimulants, and extras of all sorts was for the several
classes as follows:—
Dist.
1st class
...
...
...
2nd do.
...
...
...
3rd do.
...
... ...
4th do.
...
...
...
1883.
Rs.
1
0
0
0
A.
3
10
5
3
P.
3
4
4
9
1882.
Rs.
1
0
0
0
A.
8
13
6
4
P.
1
4
1
4
In 1882, the cost had been somewhat raised by accidental circumstances,
as was pointed out in the report. The necessities in 1883 were ordinary, and
reduction of cost appears accordingly.
38. The following statement is in accordance with those previously
furnished. Where the circumstances and cost of patients vary so widely,
averages are of course quite worthless. They are morever fallacious here:—
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Average daily number of inmates throughout the year ...
Ditto ditto
ditto
employed on labour throughout
the year
...
...
...
...
Total expenditure of the year
...
...
Rs.
Total income from lunatics' labour, including profits and
estimated value of labour
...
... ...
Payments by friends of lunatics for maintenance
Rs.
Average yearly cost of each inmate, as per column 3
„
Average cost of each, lunatic after deducting item 5
„
Establishment
...
...
...
„
Diet
...
...
...
...
„
Bazar medicines
...
...
...
„
Contingencies
...
...
...
„
Clothing ...
...
...
...
„
28
Nil.
19,860
Nil.
15,226
709
165
412
136
Nil
48
39