12
LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
the asylums in some of the other provinces of India. For the latter the figures
for 1898 are quoted as those for 1899 are not yet available :—
Bombay ...
Burma ...
Madras ...
Per cent.
7.00
11.92
7.93
Punjab ...
North-Western Provinces ...
Bengal ...
Per cent.
9.60
8.16
9.63(1899).
The rate for Bengal for 1899 was slightly higher than that of the English
county asylums, where it was 9.45 in 1898.
At Dullunda the admissions decreased by 1 only. The general health of
the asylum inmates was good in 1899. There was a mild epidemic of chicken-
pox which gave 9 admissions. Fevers were, however, more common, which was
due to greater prevalence of malaria. Phthisis was less prevalent, there having
been 7 cases against 13 in 1898. The infirm gang was kept up during the
year under report, with good results.
Dacca had 121 admissions, or 96 less than in 1898. The decrease was
chiefly due to the absence of influenza, which caused 63 admissions in 1898.
There was a decrease under almost all the principal heads of disease, a
result which the Superintendent attributes to increased care and attention to
all details, and to the prevention of actual serious illness by putting those who
are losing weight at once into the infirm gang. The marked diminution in
chest affections was due to better clothing, which was purchased from the
Bhagalpur Central Jail, which afforded greater protection than the blankets
formerly in use. Cases of debility were slightly in excess, due to bad health
among those admitted into the asylum during the year under report.
The admissions at Patna were more by 24. Dysentery cases increased by
15. Fevers were more common, viz., 37, against 13 in 1898. Pneumonia
and phthisis were also more numerous. The number treated for diarrhœa
exceeded that of 1898 by two. Cases of anæmia and debility were, however,
fewer. As regards the increased sickness in the asylum during the year under
report, the Superintendent states that the climate was less healthy and the
number of lunatics received in the asylum in indifferent and bad health was
greater in 1899 than in the previous year. The asylum was very unfavour-
ably reported on by the Inspector-General as regards situation, buildings, &c.
At Cuttack there were 26 admissions against 23 in the previous year. The
numbers are small and call for no remarks.
Berhampore had 152 admissions against 126 in 1898, the increase being
chiefly due to the inclusion of cases of worms which were omitted in the
returns for 1898. Fevers and bowel complaints were less common. Phthisis
was slightly more numerous.
15. The infirm gang system was introduced at Berhampore during the
year, but the Superintendent says no special results followed. The Superin-
tendent of the Patna Asylum also reports that no marked advantage resulted
from the establishment of the infirm gang. In my report for last year
I pointed out that the system simply means that weakly-looking persons are
more frequently weighed, and receive some extra diet, tonics and drugs, the
advantage being that it serves to keep off serious disease. This result was
attained at Dacca, and the Superintendents of the other asylums will be asked to
give it an extended and thorough trial.
16. The chief causes of sickness and mortality in towns and jails near
which the asylums are situated are shown in the following tables:—
TABLE VIII.
Statement showing the Mortality among the general Population.
NAMES OF
LOCALITIES.
1
Calcutta ... ...
Dacca
...
...
Patna
...
...
Cuttack
...
...
Berhampore ...
Popula-
tion.
2
681,560
82,523
165,192
47,186
23,515
Fever.
1898.
3
6,060
1,329
2,258
512
835
1899.
4
7,173
1,369
2,271
519
822
Bowel-complaints.
1898.
5
3,074
496
545
171
44
1899.
6
3,453
619
677
219
26
Cholera.
1898.
7
665
82
265
23
1
1899.
8
990
222
268
176
47
Total deaths from
all causes.
1898.
9
20,343
2,867
4,941
1,099
1,019
1899.
10
25,823
3,345
5,284
1,269
934
Ratio per thousand
of population.
1898.
11
29.84
34.74
29.91
23.29
43.33
1899.
12
37.88
40.53
31.98
26.89
39.71