18
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
The following is a return, similar to that called for last year, of cases admitted to
hospital on account of ill-usage :—
1. By a keeper—
Contusion of face
... ... ... ...
1
2. By patients—
Fracture of forearm ... ... ... ...
Ditto of phalanges ... ... ... ...
Scalp wound ... ... ... ...
Contusion of face
...
...
...
...
Wound of face ... ... ... ...
Ditto of upper extremity ... ... ... ...
Ditto of lower ditto ... ... ... ...
Injury of rectum ... ... ... ...
Total ...
1
1
6
1
1
1
1
1
13
Cures.—The total number discharged cured was 167 (males 146, females 21), or 82.2
per cent. of the total treated as compared with 235, or 87.7 per cent. in 1877.
Vaccination.—Of the new inmates eight were found to be unprotected against small-pox,
or 19.0 per cent. of the total admissions. All of these were vaccinated.
Solitary confinement and restraint.—A register has been kept regularly throughout the
year. The largest number in solitary cells on any one occasion was seven ; very frequently
there were none at all, and generally not more than three or four. The number is increased
by the confinement of two men, who are separated from the others on account of the fear of
their committing sodomy. No lunatics were permanently confined in solitary cells throughout
the year. During the previous year it was thought necessary to keep three men permanently
in such confinement, and at the time of writing the report for 1877, the experiment of
allowing them more liberty was being tried. One of these, an epileptic, who had previously
been considered too dangerous to be allowed to mix with the other inmates, has been allowed
to be at liberty throughout the year and has done no harm, though he generally keeps a piece
of brick or other missile under his blanket, which nothing will tempt him to part with.
Both of the other two have improved very much during the year. One of these, who used to
rage up and down his cell unceasingly like a caged animal, has at last been got to work at
the oil-mills, and only occasionally gives any trouble. Once or twice he has got hold of a
stick and taken up a defiant position, daring any one to approach. On such occasions it has
been necessary to stalk him behind pillars, pounce upon and disarm him; but this was in the
early part of the year, when he had only recently been allowed any liberty. There is no
place in this asylum where such men can be allowed liberty and exercise without mixing
with the other lunatics; and it is a question whether the danger of their doing injury to
others is counterbalanced by the benefit they derive from being released from perpetual
solitary confinement. The mental improvement which takes place when the restraint is
removed is so marked, and the danger is not much if they are properly watched, that I do
not hesitate to answer it in the affirmative.
Punitive solitary confinement has been sparingly resorted to on the same principles as
were noted in my report of last year, namely, in the case of patients approaching cure, guilty
of wanton mischief, and it never exceeds half a day in duration. No other form of restraint
or punishment was permitted, except in the case of one man who was confined by straight-
waistcoats to prevent his dashing his head against the iron grating of his cell door (there
is no padded room in this asylum), but that was only necessary for one day.
The only other form of force used was in the case of one man who was fed twice daily
by the stomach-pump from the middle of June to the end of December. He refused utterly
to touch food, because he had been forbidden by “ Parvati.” Towards the end of the year he
consented to take food under certain conditions (including a stone-platter), and now these
being supplied he takes it himself.
Occupations.—There has been no change in these during the year. They are carpentry,
cane-works, gardening, manufacture of mustard-oil, soorkee-pounding, baking, wheat-grinding
(by the females), water-carrying, fuel-cutting, cane-cutting, and out-door labour.
During the course of the year a soorkee-shed and two latrines have been built by the
lunatics.
The hours of labour are in the morning from 7 to 11, and in the afternoon from 2 to 4
(or 5 in summer).
Amusements.—As in the previous year the Brahman in charge of the filters was per-
mitted to conduct the Durga and Kali pujas, with the appropriate offerings and fireworks ;
and the “ Dewali” was duly observed, the lamps bought for the Imperial assumption being
used for the occasion. The expenses for these entertainments were met from private sources.
The nautches given twice a month were highly appreciated, and treats of sweetmeats
and fruits were given on different festive occasions.