10
LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
admissions to the asylum were received in very bad health. In connection with
the large increase in tubercular diseases, the Superintendent states that it is a
disease difficult to detect in the early stages among lunatics, and that in the
majority of cases the sufferers were residents in the asylum for an average
period of eight and half years. Frequent weighing and careful note of increase
of body temperature are the chief aids to easy detection of this disease in
lunatics. Such cases require to be isolated, as is done at Berhampore, but the
Superintendent of the Dacca Asylum remarks: " We endeavour to isolate
such cases as much as possible, but this cannot be done effectually under
present conditions." The isolation of such cases and their treatment out of doors,
as much as possible, are of the greatest importance, and in the new conjoined
asylum this will be borne in mind in constructing the buildings. Lime-washing
and cleansing of places defiled by sputa should be persistently attended to.
There were two fatal cases of cholera. The Superintendent says the disease
might have been imported by the coolies of the Public Works Department, who
were employed on works in the asylum. The disease was also very prevalent
in the town.
At Patna, the admissions were less by 1. Fevers, dysentery and
pneumonia were less common; diarrhœa, anæmia and debility were, however,
more numerous than in 1899. The admissions for phthisis also exceeded that
of 1899 by 5. There were 7 cases of cholera, all females, 3 terminating
fatally. The Superintendent attributed it to the water of the well in the
asylum which was used for ablution purposes. I had a sample of the water
bacteriologically examined. The results were negative, but the water was
impure. It is remarkable, however, that at the time the cases occurred in the
asylum, cholera of a fatal type was prevalent in the town. The insanitary
condition of the surroundings of the asylum is notorious, and the outbreak of
the disease in the asylum has something to do with it. There were 4 cases
of mumps. There was no other epidemic disease.
At Cuttack, there were 35 admissions or 9 more than in the previous year.
Diarrhœa accounts for 25 cases against 11 in 1899, Dysentery and fevers
were also more common.
At Berhampore, the admissions show a decrease of 25. Fevers were less
common. The numbers treated for worms and boil were also less. There
were no cases of debility against 10 in 1899. Phthisis increased by 3 and
anæmia by 7. There was only 1 case of pneumonia. During the year the
Superintendent made some observations with the help of the Civil Hospital
Assistant on the harm done by round worms and on the treatment of epileptic
insanity. He also contributed to the " Journal of Mental Science" a very
interesting case of recovery of mental disease after operation for cataract.
In the proposed Central Asylum a Laboratory for teaching purposes will be
opened, which may also be used for original research as regards mental disease.
15. The infirm-gang system was followed this year at Berhampore, and
the Superintendent states that the average result was fairly good. At Patna,
monthly weighments of lunatics were carried out, and those losing weight
received special attention. The system was also kept up at Dullunda and Dacca.
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.
1899.
3
7,173
1,360
2,271
519
822
1900.
4
7,642
1,558
4,727
524
720
Bowel-complaints.
1899.
6
3,453
619
677
219
26
1900.
6
4,126
439
1,695
208
10
Cholera.
1899.
7
990
222
268
176
47
1900.
8
2,754
187
818
286
140
Total deaths from
all causes.
1899.
9
25,823
3,346
5,284
1.269
934
1900.
10
36,728
3,275
10,487
1,438
952
Ratio per thousand
of population.
1899.
11
37.88
40.53
31.98
26.89
39.71
1900.
12
53.88
39.68
63.48
30.47
40.48