24
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
By careful separation and the use of disinfectants and other preventive means the
reappearance of the disease was prevented.
The daily average sick during the year was 1.84; and the percentage of mortality to
strength was 10.4 against 6.02 of last year. There were five deaths during the year, viz. the
case of cholera abovementioned, one of pleuro-pneumonia, one from exhaustion following
child-birth on a patient admitted 27 days before; two cases further died from diarrhœa and
dysentery.
The ordinary sickness of the asylum is of a trifling nature and consists chiefly of mild
cases of fever, catarrh, and indigestion. The case of fracture of the humerus was caused by
a fall; the patient got giddy after walking in the sun and fell before assistance could be
rendered. Round worms were not as frequent this year as in former years; santonine was
given to several patients at different times, but without result. The only cases in which they
were expelled were in new admissions.
The drinking water of the asylum is from a well in the centre of the garden, which is
carefully closed, and from which the water is pumped into a large tub. No impurities percolate
into the well; the water is pure and good.
It is very difficult to arrive at the true cause of many of the cases of insanity; the previ-
ous history of many is involved in much obscurity, especially pilgrims from distant provinces,
whose antecedents are unknown. Of the nine criminal cases, the causes are returned as
“ unknown.” Of the 10 non-criminal, seven are ascribed to ganja and three referred to unknown
causes. Doubtless the abuse of narcotics, especially ganja and spirits, is the chief exciting
cause of lunacy in this country; several cases are ascribable to grief, mental anxiety, and other
moral causes.
Of the number of criminal lunatics admitted during the year and under treatment,
nine remained from last year and nine were admitted this year; one was discharged
and three died, leaving 14 remaining on 31st December 1878. Of the nine admissions, four
were received from Sumbulpore, one from Pooree, one from Balasore, and three from
Cuttack. Of the 14 under treatment, one is reported by the visitors as sane; but as he was
twice taken up for murderous assault, the committee decline the responsibility of recom-
mending his release.
The remaining 14 are still insane. Eight of these are under custody on account of
murder or dangerous assault; the rest on account of arson and theft.
Paying patients.—Most of the patients have no friends or relatives; when there are
such, the charge for maintenance is made, but the majority are unable to pay. Rs. 253 were
realized from relatives on account of four patients.
During the year it was represented that patients sent from Sumbulpore to this asylum
form a separate charge, which should properly be borne by the Central Provinces. The
Chief Commissioner has accordingly directed that the actual cost (calculated at the average
rate per head per year) be remitted at the end of each year on account of insanes sent
from that Administration.*
Occupation.—The two principal are the oil-press and garden. The press provides
labour for the strong and healthy, while sifting and cleaning the seed gives employment
to the females and weakly patients. The work is not at all disliked by the insanes, who
take to it with evident interest and amusement; no compulsion is used, but encouragement
given to those who work steadily by allowing them tobacco and other minor indulgences.
Garden work is suitable to cases that are recovering; it is often followed when other
work is refused. The sale proceeds from garden during the year were Rs. 74-4-3.
Expenditure.—The establishment, diet, and other charges for the year were Rs. 5,225-7-7
as compared with Rs. 5,736 of previous year. The annual cost of each patient was
Rs. 109-2-11 against Rs. 115-1-9 of last year. The decrease is due to reduction of
establishment and economy in the various branches of expenditure. The price of food-
grains during the year continued high, and in some months exceeded the rate of 1877.
The scale of diet is liberal and sufficient for the maintenance of general health and
nutrition of the insanes ; no stint whatever is made in this respect.
Manufactures.—During the year Rs. 372-7-3 were earned as net profits against Rs. 224-9-8
of last year. This is due chiefly to greater outturn from oil-press, which we hope to increase
still further.
Endeavours are made to obtain oil-seed direct from Ongool and the neighbouring
hill states, where it is grown. We have also partially succeeded in producing a finer kind
of oil, suitable for medicinal purposes.
Establishment.—The conduct of the establishment during the year has been uniformly
good. The darogah has been in charge during the past 15 years, and has performed his
duties to my entire satisfaction; he possesses remarkable tact in managing the insanes
and in keeping the minor establishment up to their work.
Berhampore Luna-
tic Asylum.
Berhampore.—The Annual Report is submitted by Surgeon-Major S. M. Shircore, who
was in medical charge the whole year, and is as follows :—
Population.—There were remaining on the 1st January of the year a total of 156 inmates,
namely, males 102 and females 54, which, with 18 admissions (males 17, female 1) and 39
* This order was cancelled by Bengal Government letter No. 923 of 21st February 1879, to the address of the Accountant-
General of Bengal.