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are altogether wanting. In England almost all lunatics are under treatment.
In Bengal there seems reason to believe that the great majority never reach the
asylums. Then, again, nothing is known of the previous history of most cases in
India. The cases sent in by the police are generally those found wandering
about homeless, whose insanity is chronic. We might, indeed, fairly expect a far
heavier mortality in our Indian asylums than we now have. The rate was
slightly higher among males than among females. One-half of the total deaths
were among patients of less than a year's residence. The Inspector-General
has analysed very carefully the events of 1871 in relation to length of residence,
the general inferences being that the large majority are comparatively short-term
residents, and that both recoveries and deaths are more numerous in the earlier
periods of residence. The mortality is very unequally distributed, being much
greater at Dacca than elsewhere.
12. As regards the causes of mortality of 101 deaths, dysentery and
diarrhœa caused 27, cholera 7, remittent fever 6, phthisis 12, diseases of the
nervous system 22, and other diseases 27 in all. Phthisis is said to be increasing.
Although the majority of the disease are specific maladies, not directly to be
classed as phases of insanity, there can be no doubt, as remarked in one of the
reports, that they are dependent on general physical debility, the consequence
of mental disease.
13. As regards types of insanity, 55.2 per cent. of the admissions were
acute cases, and the greater number of recoveries likewise took place in acute
mania, being 30.1 per cent. of treated. This is said to be the type of insanity
which generally follows abuse of ganja. The death-rate was highest in chronic
dementia, being 10.7 per cent. of treated as against 6.5 in acute mania. This is
the most hopeless form of mental disease. Melancholia has been noticed by
Dr. Wise to be very common among natives, and chiefly among males.
14. The predisposing causes of insanity assigned must be regarded with
doubt by every one who knows how insanes are picked up for transmission to
asylums in Bengal. No attempt is made to account for 42.5 of the cases. The
number attributed to ganja is 169 out of 230 admissions, in which a cause was
known, but it may be that it has become a habit to attribute insanity to ganja.
The Lieutenant-Governor would be glad to have it specially noted in the reports
if there are generally good grounds for setting down this drug as the cause in
so many cases. The reasons for the belief should, if possible, be stated.
'Spirits' are said to have been the cause in 24 cases. Only 3 cases were
attributed to opium. Of the 230 admissions from known causes, physical causes
were assigned in 220, moral in 10 only.
15. It is very satisfactory to know that under the industrial system in
force in Bengal 86.25 per cent. of the insanes were usefully employed. Under
the influence of this system, personal restraint is entirely dispensed with in
Dacca, Cuttack, and Moidapore; and the Lieutenant-Governor will be glad to
learn that, in accordance with Dr. Brown's suggestions, it has been found pos-
sible to avoid it in Patna and Dullunda.
16. The Lieutenant-Governor has had under consideration during the
year various questions connected with the industrial funds, especially that of
the Dullunda Asylum, over which no proper check had been exercised. The
views enunciated by the Inspector-General in regard to these funds are clearly
correct, and orders have been given separately in regard to the whole system
of Dullunda accounts. The Lieutenant-Governor trusts that the Inspector-
General will see that in all the asylums matters are put upon a proper footing
in this respect, and that the system laid down for Dullunda is generally
followed.
17. As regards payment for the maintenance of lunatics, the Lieutenant-
Governor, when the case was before him, came to the same conclusion as Dr.
Brown, viz., that the law was sufficient if properly worked. The attention of
Magistrates will now be drawn to circular orders No. 7 of the 21st January
1871, and a more careful observance of the instructions therein conveyed will
be enquired. The amount realized from paying patients last year was only
Rs. 1,333-12-6 as against Rs. 1,696 in 1870, while the total expenditure
on asylums had risen to Rs. 75,255-6-8 from Rs. 71,965-3-7½. The average