22
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
5. The average number of days the discharged cases were in the asylum is stated
below:—
ASYLUM.
Patna
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
CURED.
Male.
Days.
468
Female.
Days.
836
IMPROVED.
Male.
Days.
588
Female.
Days.
2,256
6. The daily average number of criminal lunatics during the year was 52.82. Of these,
46.47 were males and 6.35 were females. Of these, one only was a re-admission, a male. This
man was sent to Bhagulpore for trial, but was reported to be incapable of making his
defence, and remanded to the asylum.
7. The male criminals mix with the other male lunatics during the day, but sleep
in a separate ward. The females are mixed with the other females day and night.
8. Caste and sex of those admitted. — Of the admissions, 57 were Hindoos and five were
Muhammedans. This disparity in number is remarkable, and is by some attributed to this
that, while the Mussulmans use alcohol in some form, the Hindoos use ganja and bhang.
9. Occupation.—Of those admitted, 15 were cultivators, 11 were domestic servants, 13
labourers, eight were beggars, two were shop-keepers, one was a goldsmith, one a mason, one
a carpenter, one a boatman, two were barbers, one was an oilman, while the occupations
of six were unknown.
10. Age.—When admitted, of the males three were under 20, 34 were between 20 and
40, nine were between 40 and 50, and one was over 50 and under 60. Of the females,
11 were between 20 and 40, two were between 40 and 50, and two were upwards of 60.
Of the admitted, 27 were classified as suffering from acute mania, 16 from chronic mania,
nine from melancholia, two from acute dementia, seven from chronic dementia, and one was
classified as not insane. The latter is a criminal charged with murder and acquitted on the
ground of insanity.
Of the acute mania cases 11 recovered, of the chronic mania 21, of the melancholia one,
and of the acute dementia cases seven. Nine of those made over to their friends were
discharged improved.
11. Causes.—In 28 cases the disease is reported to have been caused by ganja, in two
by the excessive use of alcohol, in one from bhang, in three by grief, while in 28 cases no
cause is assigned.
12. Statistics of sickness.—In the following table will be found an abstract of the sick-
ness which appeared among the insanes:—
Admissions into hospital
...
...
...
Ditto
ditto
per cent. of mean strength ...
Daily average sick
...
...
...
Ditto
ditto per cent. of mean strength ... ...
Patna.
81
40.04
11.81
5.83
Forty cases of fever, 16 of diarrhœa, six of dysentery, and six of spleen were treated during
the year. Cholera did not appear, while 13 cases only of all other diseases were dealt
with. Of these, seven were cases of general debility.
Of those admitted, 40 were in indifferent health, two had spleen, one suffered from
dysentery, one from diarrhœa, one from asthma, and one from leprosy.
Deaths.—Thirteen deaths occurred during the year. Three arose from spleen, one from
phthisis, four from fever, one from paralysis, one from bronchitis, one from dysentery, and
two from diarrhœa. Twelve of those who died were sickly when admitted. In the death
register appended is shown the periods of residence in the asylum of those who died.
Occupation.—The patients are occupied in gardening, weaving, oil-pressing, wheat-
grinding, assistant keepers, assistant cook, assistant mehters, water-carriers, seed-picking.
The latter occupation is reserved for the imbecile, the demented, and the weakly.
Expenditure.—The following table is explanatory of the year's expenditure. It also shews
the actual profits on manufactures and the sums realized from the friends of patients.
The average cost of each patient was Rs. 112-1-9 as against Rs. 100-7-4. The increased
cost is partly attributable to the high prices of food staples and partly to the average daily
number of patients being smaller in 1878 than in 1877.
The amount of contingencies for each patient was Rs. 8-0-11. The item “ Contingencies ”
includes ground rent, petty repairs, railway fares of discharged lunatics, road maintenance of
the same, disposing of dead bodies, &c. Rs. 659-15-6 was paid on account of arrears of
ground rent last year, the arrears extending back five years. The payment of this sum has
increased the cost per head on account of contingencies by Rs. 3-4.
The cost of clothing per head was Rs. 6-6-10 as against Rs. 7-14-10 for 1877. The
average cost per head for establishment was Rs. 42-11-2 as against Rs. 40-4-5. The
actual outlay on establishment at same time was Rs. 100 less for 1878 than for 1877, the
average cost per head being greater for the former year on account of the daily average of