LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
23
urgently needed to diminish the steadily growing population of the asylum ; for although the
number confined on the 31st December 1875 was slightly less than that of 1874, the decrease
in the former year was owing to the transfer of patients to Berhampore. If such a timely
transfer had not been effected, Dr. Simpson considers that the asylum population would
now doubtless be nearly 300.
Discharged
“ cured.”
Made over to their
friends as
“ improved.”
The most frequent
applicants for the
removal of insanes.
Transferred, &c.
7. During the year (males 31, females 6.37) were discharged cured, or at the rate of
(males 18.60, females 10) 16.32 per cent. of mean annual strength. This result was more
favourable than was observed in either 1874 or 1875, but is considerably lower than what was
observed in the years from 1868 to 1873 inclusive, during which it varied from 22 to 51
per cent. No explanation has been offered as to the cause of the decrease in the proportion
of those discharged cured. Eight patients were made over to their friends by the order of
the Magistrate as improved, on security being furnished for their safe-keeping. Dr. Simpson
reports “ that as a rule the most frequent applicants for removal of insanes are those
who are obliged to pay for the maintenance of patients. As long as Government has
to support the latter, the friends are content to leave them to our care.” The sum gener-
ally charged for the insane patients is not large, being merely what is incurred on account
of dieting, without taking into calculation the expense of superintendence, &c. Regarding
the proper care of insanes made over to their friends, Dr. Simpson offers the following sugges-
tion :—“ I think it would be a wise measure, in all cases where patients are made over insane
to the care of their friends, if they were subject to the inspection of the authorities from time
to time as a kind of guarantee against ill-treatment by those to whose care they may be
entrusted.” Sixty male patients were transferred to the Hazareebagh Asylum, three males
were sent to jail, and one male escaped. There were (males 11, females 5) 16 deaths during
the year.
Population on 31st
December.
8. The residual asylum population on the 31st December 1876 was (males 149,
females 60) 209, against (males 196, females 58) 254 on the first day of the year. Owing to the
transfers noticed in the preceding paragraph, this residual population, as compared with that
of 1875, had decreased by 47 males, but the number of females increased by 2.
Average strength
of asylum
population.
No overcrowding.
Maximum number
confined on 31st
March.
Criminal lunatics.
9. The average daily strength of the insanes for the year under review was (males
166.63, females 60) 226.63, against 251.93 in 1875. The capacity of the ayslum, allowing 50
superficial feet per patient, will accommodate (males 190, females 70) 260, so that there was
no overcrowding of either the males or females. The maximum number of lunatics confined
in the asylum was on the 31st March, viz. (males 199, females 60) 259.
Deaths and death-
rate.
Average strength.
Proportion of
criminal lunatics.
10. On the 1st January there remained (males 40, females 6) 46 criminal lunatics, and
during the year (males 11, females 2) 13 were admitted, and 1 male was re-admitted, thus
giving a total population of this class of (males 52, females 8) 60. From this number 4 males
were discharged, and (males 3, females 2) 5 died, or at the rate of (males 7.01, females 31.25)
10.17 per cent. of mean strength. The daily average strength of criminal lunatics was (males
42.74, females 6.40) 49.14, and has gradually risen from 21 in 1866 to 49 in 1876, the latter
being the highest number that has been registered in any year of the preceding decennial
period. It will thus be observed that this class composed (males 25.64, females 10.66) 21.68
per cent. of the daily average strength of the asylum population. Dr. Simpson writes as
follows regarding the increasing number of criminal lunatics in this asylum :—“ As might be
expected, the number of criminals has steadily increased, notwithstanding 4 transfers or
discharges, and 5 deaths. An asylum, situated in a central position and specially set apart for
this class of patients, would be very desirable. It is impossible in this asylum, as at present
constructed, to keep them distinct from the non-criminal class.”
Districts from
which the insanes
were admitted.
11. It appears that the insane patients came from the following districts, and in the
following order of those contributing the largest numbers, viz. Shahabad, Patna, Monghyr,
Gya, Sonthal Pergunnahs, Tirhoot, Sarun, Hazareebagh, Purneah, &c.
Race of those
admitted.
Sex.
Occupation.
Age.
Hindoos formed 85 per cent., Mahomedans 11 per cent., Christians 1 per cent., and
others castes 3 per cent. of the total admissions. Of the total number admitted, 81 per
cent. were males and 19 per cent. were females. Taken according to occupation, it has been
ascertained that 23 of those admitted were cultivators, 16 were of “ unknown” occupation,
9 were beggars, 8 servants, 5 shop-keepers, 4 labourers, &c., &c. Seventy-five per cent. of those
admitted were between the ages of 20 and 40, 15 per cent. from 40 to 60, 6 per cent. under
20 years, and 4 per cent. were upwards of 60.
Types of insanity.
Large proportion
of the more
chronic forms of
insanity.
12. On analysis of the return which shows the various types of insanity, it is found
that 37 per cent of those admitted were suffering from chronic mania, 35 per cent. from
acute dementia, 9 per cent. from acute mania and chronic dementia respectively, 3 per cent.
from idiotcy and dementia respectively, 3 per cent. were not insane, and 1 per cent.
suffered from melancholia. Of the total number treated, it is found that 81 per cent. were
affected with the more chronic and incurable forms of insanity, and this fact explains in a
great measure the cause of the decrease in the case of those discharged cured, alluded to in
paragraph 7 of this summary.
Physical and
moral causes.
13. Among those physical causes assigned for insanity, it is found that the following
were the chief ones in order of frequency, viz. ganja, spirits, bhang, epilepsy, fever, &c.
Among the moral causes were grief, fear, anger, &c.