LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
5
would therefore be lost, and matters would remain very much where they were. The
subject was under discussion at the close of the year.
Dr. Payne has again represented in his report for 1871 the difficulties connected
with this class of lunatics, and similar difficulties have been experienced in the other
asylums of the province, which moreover are becoming overcrowded from the accumulation
of criminal insanes. It is hoped that a final solution of the difficulty will be achieved
before the close of the present year.
The population of
asylums a grow-
ing one.
7. Population.—The growth of the asylum population is still more marked in 1871
than in 1870. The increase of the census of 1st January over that of the five years preced-
ing, is 125, against 111; of the total treated 139, against 119 ; and of the daily average strength
154.6, against 121.3. Statement No. 2 shows that this increase has been since 1867 a
steadily progressive one. The annual increments since then have been,—1st January
census 78, 36, 58, and 37; total treated 135, 25, 41, and 36, and daily average strength 54,
64.2, 52.9, 56.6. The increase of admissions has only been 14 over the average of the five pre-
ceding years, and the number of persons admitted has actually been one less than in 1870. The
inference is obvious, namely that the lunatics are detained longer in asylums, and that each
inmate has on an average spent a longer time in these institutions. The number of days each
inmate has spent in the asylums has been in 1871, 256.2, against 246.34 in 1870; 238 in 1869 ;
222.8 in 1868; 233.7 in 1867; and 234.6 in 1866. These data show clearly that the residual
population of the asylums is greater in 1871 than in preceding years, and the ratios which the
events of the year bear to the total treated and daily average strength will therefore be smaller.
The difference between the admission and discharge ratios on average population was 5.3 in
1871, against 4.3, the average of the five preceding years; this also indicates growth of
population. The corresponding figure in English pauper asylums is 3.9.
Admissions.
8. Admissions.—While the number of persons admitted into asylums was one fewer
than in 1870, and only 14 over the average of the five previous years, the admission rate was
9 below that of the corresponding average. Admissions are therefore becoming fewer in
relation to an increasing standing strength. 12.7 per cent. of the number admitted were
re-admissions, against 12.3 in 1870. In English pauper asylums re-admissions form 13.6
per cent. of admissions. It is still impossible to ascertain the amount of lunacy among the
population. It is probably very considerable, as Dr. Wise shows by information obtained
from the police of the Dacca district.
Caste and sex of
admitsions and
re-adinissions.
9. Caste and Sex of admissions.—These particulars are shown in statement No. 4, from
which it appears that 75.75 of the admissions and re-admissions were Hindoos, against 74.6
in 1870 and 75.35 in 1869; 23.25 were Mahomedans, against 24.18 and 23.20 ; .75 were
Christians, against 1.74 and 1.43; and .25 belonged to other castes.
STATEMENT No. 4.
Class and Sex of Persons admitted and re-admitted.
ASYLUMS.
Dullunda ... ... ...
Dacca ... ... ...
Patna...
...
...
Cuttack ... ... ...
Moydapore ... ... ...
Total ...
Percentages ...
HINDOOS.
Males.
91
38
58
32
12
231
76.23
Females.
38
13
15
5
1
72
23.76
Total.
129
51
73
37
13
303
75.75
MAHOMEDANS.
Males.
39
25
10
1
5
80
86.02
Females.
7
4
1
...
1
13
13.97
Total.
46
29
11
1
6
93
23.25
CHRISTIANS.
Males.
1
...
1
1
...
2
66.66
Females.
...
...
...
1
...
1
33.33
Total.
1
...
1
1
...
3
.75
OTHER CASTES.
Males.
...
...
1
...
...
1
100
Females.
...
...
...
...
..
...
...
Total.
...
...
1
...
...
1
.25
TOTAL.
Males.
131
63
70
33
17
314
78.50
Females.
45
17
16
6
2
86
21.50
Total.
176
80
86
39
19
400
100
B