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TRIENNIAL REPORT
ON THE
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL
For the years 1900, 1901 and 1902.
THIS report is submitted in accordance with the orders contained in
Government of India, Home Department, letters Nos. 2741 and 1296, dated,
respectively, the 26th March and 5th September 1901, and Bengal Government
Order No. 2315Medl., dated the 12th August 1901.
Statement I.
2. On the 1st January 1900, there remained in all the asylums in the
Province, Native and European, 926 lunatics, on
the same date in 1901 the number was 943, and in
1902, 1,009. The last year closed with 1,033 lunatics, or an addition of 24.
The proportion of criminal lunatics to the total population on the 31st December
of each year under report was 51.85, 52.92, and 52.46 per cent.
3. Admissions—Numbered 220 in 1900, 229 in 1901, and 253 in 1902.
The variations in each asylum are generally difficult to explain. The largest
increase in 1900 (12) occurred at Dacca, and was confined to criminal lunatics.
This excess was a little more than counterbalanced by a decrease of 13 at
Berhampore, for which no reason could be assigned. In 1901 Dacca and
Berhampore had between them an increase of 34. In the former there was a
much larger accession of lunatics from Sylhet which was just the reverse in
1902. Cachar furnished 19 cases in 1901 and 12 in 1902, of whom 1 was
criminal and 11 non-criminal lunatics. The excess at Berhampore was chiefly
noticeable among criminals. The variations in the other asylums called for
no comment. In 1902 Dullunda had 19 more admissions than in the previous
year, Bhawanipur an excess of 11, Patna 8 and Cuttack 2, while Dacca
showed a decrease of 12 and Berhampore 4. The Superintendent of the
Presidency Asylums cannot furnish any satisfactory explanation as to the cause
of increase in these institutions, except that more lunatics were received from
Calcutta and the 24-Parganas.
4. Readmissions.—The total number of readmissions was 30 in 1900, 20
in 1901, and 25 in 1902. Most of these cases were criminals, and the majority
of them were returned to the asylums after trial. Of the 25 in 1902, 17 were
criminal and 8 non-criminal lunatics. Two of the former class were received
back from jail having had a relapse, one at Dullunda after nearly 8 years,
and the other at Cuttack a little over after one year. Two had been dis-
charged cured, but readmitted after long intervals, and in two instances
similarly discharged, the periods between release and readmission were com-
paratively short. Of the non-criminals four were cases of relapse after long
intervals. In two instances (at Dacca) the patients were discharged cured,
but received back within three months. At Dullunda two cases were made
over to their friends as improved, but returned to the Asylum within three
months.
5. Discharges.—The total number discharged was 133 in 1900, 122 in
1901, and 158 in 1902. The difference between the figures for the past two
years is remarkable. There was a large increase at Dullunda, 69 against 44
in 1901, due chiefly to more recoveries, the percentage of the latter on total
strength being 17.15 and 12.29, respectively. At Bhawanipur there was a
large accession of mild cases, which shortly after admission improved
and recovered, accounting for the increased number of discharges in 1902. The
variations elsewhere were unimportant.
6. Accommodation.—There was a slight overcrowding at Dacca, both in
the male and female divisions, during certain months of 1902, but no special
arrangement was necessary. The male criminal ward at Patna was more than
full during 1902, but no inconvenience was reported. It is undesirable to
spend large sums on new buildings in this Asylum in view of its impending