LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
21
Escapes.
9. During the year there were two escapes of non-criminal lunatics, both
of whom were brought back.
Payment for
maintenance of
patients.
10. Regarding the payment for the maintenance of patients, Dr. Simpson
writes—"The amount realized during the year was Rs. 230-10, against Rs. 238-9
in 1876. The attention of the Deputy Magistrate of Behar has been called to
the fact of his having omitted to realize Rs. 24, arrears of maintenance for a
lunatic, named Lohim Sing, from July to December last. This, if received, will
raise the sum for last year's maintenance to Rs. 254-10, which is a slight
improvement, considering that the number of lunatics confined was less than in
1876. The maintenance of lunatic Jenal Khan is also due from March to
December 1877. His father, Ali Khan, agreed to pay for his maintenance at
Rs. 3 per month, and only paid up to February last. On calling the attention
of the Deputy Commissioner of Lohardugga to this, a search was made for
Ali Khan, and it was found that he had left the station and no trace could be
found as to his whereabouts."
Criminal lunatics.
11. Criminal lunatics, as might be anticipated, are on the increase.
During the year there were 14 admissions. Two of these were women. Two
males received from jail were, on recovery, sent back to jail under the orders
of Government. A roll of six male and one female criminal lunatics, reported
as not insane, in which were given full particulars, was sent to Government;
but as yet no orders on the subject have been received. A prisoner sent
from the Bhagulpore Jail as insane was found not to be so, and was returned
to jail in order to undergo his sentence. Another female criminal lunatic was
brought before a special medical committee, and being pronounced to be
sane was ordered by Government to be sent to her home.
Alleged causes of
insanity.
12. The most commonly alleged cause of insanity has been the abuse
of narcotics and stimulants, chiefly ganja and spirits. As to the causes,
Dr. Simpson points out that little or no aid is got from the descriptive rolls sent in
by Magistrates and Civil Surgeons, which, as a rule, are so carelessly drawn up as
to be of little or no use in gathering the history of any case. As to age, 56 of the
81 prisoners admitted were between 20 and 40. The majority of the patients
were cultivators, beggars, labourers, or servants, and 80 per cent. were males.
Improvements.
13. By way of improvements Dr. Simpson reports that thick purdahs
made of gunny have been fitted both in the male and female wards of all the
verandahs, so as to protect the patients when sleeping, there not being otherwise
proper accommodation for the inmates.
Establishment.
Hospital Assistant Ahmed Khan has maintained his good character, and
Dr. Simpson has every reason to be satisfied with Mr. Nowlan, the Overseer and
with his wife, who acts as Matron, both of whom have been zealous in the execu-
tion of their duties and uniformly kind to their patients. Dr. Simpson concludes
his report as under:—
Receipts and
expenditure.
14. " Table No. XI shows the receipts and expenditure during the year,
and exhibits an excess of profits amounting to Rs. 2,180-9-2½, which is a slightly
less favourable result than that of 1876. The cost per head is also higher,
but this is accounted for by the higher rates paid for rice and other grains,
and the smaller average number of patients."
" No steps have been taken to build a hospital in the female ward. A
small room might be constructed at a very moderate cost out of funds at the
credit of the asylum. At present there is not even a shed of any kind into
which to remove the sick in case of any contagious disease breaking out in the
wards. I trust sanction may be given for this work in the coming season."
" There are at present in the asylum five males and four females who, I
consider, are not fit subjects for confinement. Six of these were sent in from
Shahabad, one from Monghyr, and two from Patna. The Magistrates of these
districts have been addressed on the subject."
Inspection.
During the course of the year Deputy Surgeon-General J. Irving made
several visits to the lunatic asylum at Patna in his capacity of official
visitor, and on the 20th November he made a more thorough inspection
previous to writing his annual report. On all occasions, or, at all events, with
but few exceptions, he found the place in excellent order and clean, and the
patients kindly treated and well cared for. He alludes to the large number of
inmates he found occupied on every one of his visits.