NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
( 5 )
OBSERVATIONS ON THE INDIVIDUAL ASYLUMS.
DULLUNDA.—The average daily number of inmates has been greater this
last year than during the previous one ; the total treated 394, against 364 of
the previous year; the actual number of deaths fewer. The percentage of
deaths has thus been lowered from 18 to 13 per cent. on total treated. The
number "discharged cured, and transferred to friends improved," has been
somewhat smaller.
The mortality from dysentery and diarrhœa this last year has fallen to 11,
as against 20 during the previous. This result is gratifying, as evidencing both
to the fact of the lunatics arriving at the Asylum in better condition, and of the
improved hygienic arrangements of the institution.
The annual expense per man has been pretty much the same this last year
as during the previous one.
The occupation of the insanes appears to have a salutary effect in amusing
them, and in drawing out any manual dexterity they may have possessed. It
has been turned to profitable account.
The additional buildings in hand to the south, &c., are nearly completed;
they will afford accommodation to about 40 more inmates. The range of build-
ings to the north, estimated for, planned, and sanctioned, which are so much
wanted, adequately to meet the increasing requirements of space, has not yet
been commenced.
Cleanliness and good conservancy in every possible way are attended to.
The provision of a sufficiently nourishing and supporting diet is well seen
to. The management of the Asylum is most excellent: it has the character
rather of a house of industry than a house of insanes.
DACCA.—The daily average strength has been rather less than during the
previous year, 210 against 226. The total treated 293, against 308 of the pre-
vious year. The mortality rather less, 35 against 37. The " recoveries and
transferred to friends improved," 41 this year against 55. The re-admissions
during the year 10, against 3 of the previous year.
The deaths from bowel complaints have been 2 this year against 4 last;
from cholera 1 against 8 in the previous year. A large number of the deaths
each year is set down to cachexia and asthenia, to a failing vital power, and to
atrophy dependent upon a deeply engrained morbid constitutional taint, in
combination with the maniacal disease. A larger number of deaths this year
is assigned to apoplexy and epilepsy.
Amongst the causes of insanity, the use of ganjah, opium, and dhatoora,
and intemperance and debauchery, stand out, as usual, as prominent causes of
the disease.
C
( 6 )
The expense per man has much increased during the past year, being
Rupees 94 this last year, against Rs. 81 of the previous one.
Dr. Wise's remarks upon the most commonly met with diseases amongst
the insane inmates, and their relative mortality, are interesting. It is quite
clear that in the Dacca Asylum, from the faulty and unsuitable construction of
the wards, the insanes are too much crowded and huddled together, and are in
the winter not sufficiently protected from the cold night air.
The entertainment of nautches twice a month is afforded to the lunatics,
Dr. Wise thinks, with benefit.
The new ward, giving accommodation for 40 lunatics, was completed in
November of 1867. Further improvements, in accommodation and enlargement
of the grounds of the Asylum, have been sanctioned by the Government of
Bengal, Public Works Department, letter No. 677 of the 5th February, 1868,
to the extent of Rupees 40,588, for the erection of a new female ward, for
additions and alterations to existing buildings, and for clearing land of houses.
I consider it highly inexpedient, and necessarily interfering with the
proper performance of his duty by the Native Doctor, that he should be allow-
ed to carry on private practice outside the walls of the Asylum. In my letter,
No. 646 of the 10th February, 1868, to the Bengal Government, I have
recommended that, in accordance with the new scale of staff pay to be allowed
to Native Doctors, all officers of that class attached to Lunatic Asylums should
receive the higher staff of Rs. 20, in addition to the pay of their grade
and rank.
MOYDAPORE.—There is nothing particular to observe upon. The general
tables will show the results. Out of the 17 remaining, 6 have been discharged
cured, 1 died of fever, 10 remained. There have been no fresh admissions.
Out of 8 known or alleged causes of insanity, 7 are set down to ganjah. The
cost per man has been reduced from Rupees 66-7-5 to Rupees 55-4 for the
past year.
The closing of this Asylum will give rise to demands for space upon the
other Asylums of Patna, Dacca, and Calcutta, which these institutions cannot
at present afford. They are all overcrowded at this present time.
PATNA.—The daily average strength has been 130 this year, against 121 for
the previous year; the total treated 193, against 182. The mortality 16,
against 32 last year. "The recoveries and transferred to friends improved" 24,
against 34 of the previous year. The re-admitted 2 against 1. Deaths have
occurred—10 from dysentery and diarrhœa, against 10 of the previous year;
from cholera 1 against 18. Amongst the supposed and alleged causes of
insanity, 89 out of 137 are set down to narcotic and deleterious drugs, and
spirit drinking and intemperance; 40 to lesion and overstrain of the affections
and passions ; 6 to epilepsy; 2 to fevers.
( 7 )
The cost per man this year has been Rs. 89-9-1 against Rs. 102-5 in 1866,
thus showing a considerable diminution.
The buildings, together with the Asylum grounds, remain still very defec-
tive, from their low level and liability to inundation, which defect was experi-
enced to a great extent in the past year of 1867. The alterations proposed by
Dr. Hutchinson do not meet with my approval, as expressed below.
The ratio of mortality has been less than in 1866.
Carefulness is observed in conservancy matters, and in the food, clothing,
and occupation of the insanes. Improvements much needed have been sanc-
tioned by Government; viz., the drainage is to be improved, the drains within
the quadrangle of the male part of the Asylum are to be filled up, the outside
drains are to be made shallow, the privies within the buildings are to be re-
moved, and a distinct hospital is to be erected. No steps would seem, however,
to have been as yet taken to alter and improve the drainage ; and this is an
urgently required work.
Dr. Hutchinson's remarks, under paragraph IX, about the incorrect his-
tories forwarded with the insanes are noticeable; it is lamentable that this
still occurs, notwithstanding the Bengal Government Circular to all Commis-
sioners, No. 3390, dated 11th July, 1866, which was further circulated from
this Office to Deputy Inspectors-General of Hospitals in Bengal.
Dr. Hutchinson's observations on Lunar Influences on the Insanes, as
also on those of Barometric, Thermometric, and Hygrometric conditions, are
interesting, and worthy of being further pursued.
Sergeant Frawley, who has not proved himself an efficient Overseer and
Assistant to the Superintendent, has happily resigned his post. An Hospital
has been provided temporarily for the insanes, by the occupation, for this pur-
pose, of a part of the old Dewanee Jail.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals, Dr. Dunbar, in commenting
upon the Superintendent's Report, does not agree with Dr. Hutchinson's pro-
posed alterations to the male Asylum building, and I think justly. There
must exist necessary precautions against the escape of the insanes, which the
throwing open of the quadrangle would interfere with ; and it is not proper
that the insanes should be locked up and crowded into the cells at night.
The verandah space should be available for them, and free to them. In
the cold season jhamps or purdahs might be put up in the verandahs to guard
against the cold.
Dr. Dunbar, with the concurrence of the visitors, has put a stop to the
recreations of loud singing and nautches pursued and allowed by Dr. Hutchin-
son, conceiving that the concomitant excitement must be injurious. Moder-
ate recreation of this sort is salutary; but it may possibly be over-done.
( 8 )
The visitors have made alterations in the establishment of servants, in-
creasing the number of warders and diminishing gate-keepers, and removing
the Darogah and two Jemadars. This appears to be judicious, by increasing
the numbers of the class of servants really useful, if well looked after, viz.,
the warders.
CUTTACK.—The daily average strength has been 33, against 30 of the pre-
vious year ; the total treated this year, 49 against 52; the " discharged cured
and transferred to friends improved," 11 this year against 18 of the previous
year; the re-admissions none this year, 3 last year. Of the 4 deaths, 1 from
dysentery this year, against 1 in the previous year ; none from cholera, against
2 from cholera in the previous year; 3 from constitutional weakness and disease,
against 2 of the previous year. Amongst the alleged causes of the mental
disease, out of 40 discoverable causes 22 are set down to intoxicating drugs,
pretty much the same as in the previous year; the rest are attributed to over-
excited feelings and passions. The cost per head this year has enormously in-
creased over the previous year, viz., Rs. 138 against Rs. 89.
Several of the inmates have been admitted from amongst the pilgrims
arrived at Pooree from distant provinces. A weighing machine is desired by
the Superintendent, and is likely to assist him in his estimate of the disease,
and in his treatment. Earthen beds have been constructed with advantage.
The produce of labor has been Rupees 190 more this year than last year.
Dr. Stewart resorts to amusements of nautches for the insanes, of the same
kind as those introduced by Dr. Hutchinson during 1866 in the Patna Asylum,
and he thinks with benefit.
Separate accommodation for European lunatics has been found necessary on
two occasions. The visitors have sent in a proposition to the Government for
permission to erect a separate small place to provide such accommodation.
The diet is good; the dry-earth conservancy arrangements and cleanliness
are well cared for; the insanes are habituated to defœcate in baskets well
supplied with dry-earth, and not defile the floors. The establishment of warders
is found to be deficient, and the Committee of Visitors have applied for
three more. The Darogah and Native Doctor both give satisfaction. The
visitors meet regularly.
I have the honor to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient Servant,
W. A. GREEN,
Inspector-General of Hospitals,
Indian Medical Service, L. P.
FORT WILLIAM ;
OFFICE OF INS. GENL. OF HOSPITALS,
INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICE, L. P.,
19th April, 1868.
( 9 )
No. 60.
FROM
THE SUPERINTENDENT, NATIVE INSANE ASYLUM,
Dullunda,
To
THE SECRETARY, INSPECTOR GENERAL,
BENGAL MEDICAL DEPARTMENT,
FORT WILLIAM.
Dullunda, 18th March, 1868.
SIR,
THE papers which I have the honor of submitting herewith will present to
the Government the leading facts in the history of the Dullunda Lunatic Asylum for the year
1867, and the result of its working. The General Return, if it be compared with that of
foregoing years, will be found to present several discrepancies of detail; they have arisen in the
course of an attempt to make the record more exact than it has hitherto been in several points,
for which purpose the case of each person has been examined anew, in preference to copying
from the former Return the entries of those included in it.
Admissions in the year.—These, with the re-admissions, shew an increase of 31 over the
year 1866. On reference to Table 3, it will be observed that the cases of acute mania admit-
ted are reduced in number from 129 to 95. Very great accuracy is not claimed, however, for
the nomenclature, as it is, in many instances, based on the records of earlier symptoms received
with the patients, and not on facts observed in the Institution.
Under the head of Chronic Mania a considerable increase is observable.
It has appeared desirable to include in this head the ordinary recurrent form of mania,
and others, which, though of recent date perhaps, are, by the absence of active characters, more
allied to the chronic than the acute disease. Many of the latter class have, in former years,
been named acute, on the ground of recency of origin; but as the risk to life which arises from
mental disease is determined more by the intensity than the duration of the attack, and as
this risk is, in the Dullunda Asylum more than all others, the point that calls for elucidation
from every available source, it is better to have regard to it in fixing the names, than to be
guided by the probability of mental recovery, which is measured more by duration than
character of derangement.
In the Resolution of Government on the Asylum Reports of last year, a desire is
expressed for greater uniformity of nomenclature in the several Asylums, than has hitherto
been observed. There is no branch of medicine in which names are so vague as in mental
disease; none in which there is so little ground to base an exact system upon. Pathology, the
great framework on which classification of physical disease depends and grows, gives no help
here; for organic cerebral change is as yet but loosely connected with insanity, and the
various forms or manifestations of madness pass by such imperceptible grades into each other,
and undergo such frequent changes in the course of a single case, that little accuracy can be
hoped for in naming them.
D
( 15 )
General Treatment and Management.—The points brought forward under this head last
year have received further illustration. Digitalis and hydrocyanic acid have been largely used
in the treatment of maniacal phrenzy, and the hypodermic injection of morphia has at times
appeared more powerful than either. The latter is indeed seldom without beneficial effect.
Atropine also, hypodermically applied, has been of service in reducing the frequency of epileptic
seizures. Vaccination has been practised in every case on admission. Its results have already
been stated.
The visits of the Official Visitors have been regularly paid.
Having not long ago had occasion to bring before the Government the high estimation
in which I hold the present Overseer, Mr. Bancroft, when making application for changes in
the establishment of the Asylum, I need scarcely report further on his conduct and
qualifications. His diligence is evidenced in the industrial report. The judgment and temper
with which he directs and apportions the labour of the people to their strength and peculiarities,
are not less conspicuous than the energy with which he works to advance the industrial system,
by devising new projects from day to day, and watching over their comfort and well-being in
all that concerns them; and to this he adds all the faculties of an excellent office man.
Of the Native Doctor I am unable to report in satisfactory terms. He is inclined to be
idle and careless if left alone, and requires much closer supervision than should be needed for a
man in receipt of the liberal pay that he draws.
I have the honor to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient Servant,
ARTHUR PAYNE, M.D.,
Supdt., Dullunda Asylum.
( 16 )
REPORT OF VISITORS OF DULLUNDA LUNATIC ASYLUM.
Agreed to report to Government that the prisoners Anongomohun Mitter and Kailas
Kolu are still unfit for release from the hospital; found the hospital in its usual condition
of cleanliness.
With reference to the increase in the bazar price of rice, the Medical Visitor sanctions an
increase of 8 annas per man for the current month.
(Signed)
„
„
February 4th,1867.
„
F. BEAUFORT,
E. B. THRING,
A. SMITH,
S. M. SHIRCORE.
MINUTES OF MEETING OF VISITORS OF THE NATIVE LUNATIC ASYLUM.
Dated Dullunda, 2nd July, 1867.
Agreed to report that Haniff Faquir, Shah Mahomed, and Kalai Sheikh are now capable
of making their defence; and that Prem Chand Sen and Jhuron Sheikh are unfit for release.
Inspected the Asylum, and found the wards clean, the inmates occupied, and the general
condition very satisfactory.
(Signed)
„
„
F. BEAUFORT,
S. M. SHIRCORE,
J. SUTHERLAND,
Visitors.
MINUTES OF MEETING OF VISITORS OF THE NATIVE LUNATIC ASYLUM.
Fort William, Dullunda, 2nd October, 1867.
Visited the Asylum this day, and found everything in its usual condition of cleanliness
and good order.
There were 125 blankets and 138 gunny beds in an unserviceable state laid out for
inspection.
(Signed)
„
A. SMITH,
S. M. SHIRCORE, Visitors.
MINUTES OF THE VISITORS' MEETING AT THE NATIVE INSANE ASYLUM,
DULLUNDA, ON THE 3RD DECEMBER, 1867.
Visited the Dullunda Asylum, examined generally the gardens, buildings, and patients,
and found all in admirable order, as usual.
We enquired specially into the cases of Bohorun and Mohutchub Kotae, and agreed on
procedure to be adopted in all such cases in future ; we also submitted special reports to the
Government on the cases above referred to. We are of opinion that all patients transferred
from prison should have their warrants sent with them for obvious reasons.
(Signed)
J. SUTHERLAND,
Depy. Inspr. Gent. of Hospitals.
(Signed)
F. MOUAT,
Ex-Officio Visitor.
(Signed)
S. M. SHIRCORE.
(True copies.)
ARTHUR PAYNE, M.D.,
Superintendent of Asylums.
( 17 )
No. 2.
Abstract of Annual Return.
SEXES.
Male ... ... ...
Female ... ... ...
TOTAL ...
Remaining
January 1867.
159
38
197
Admitted for
the first time.
135
45
180
Re-admitted.
13
4
17
Total remain-
ing, admitted,
re-admitted.
307
87
394
Cured.
57
22
79
Improved trans-
ferred to friends.
14
2
16
Died.
34
17
51
Remaining 31st
Dec. 1867.
202
46
248
Average daily number of inmates throughout the year ...
Ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto ... ...
Influenced by the moon ... ... ...
Rates per cent. of cures and transfers (on actual strength) ...
Rates per cent. of mortality
(
ditto
) ...
Rates per cent. of deaths on daily average strength ...
202.72
8.
0.
2.5
1.3
2.3
No. 3.
Abstract from Annual Return of Patients treated in the Lunatic Asylum during the year 1867,
showing the nature of insanity.
NATURE OF INSANITY.
Mania acute ... ... ... ...
„
chronic ... ... ... ...
„ recurrent ... ... ...
„ melancholia ... ... ...
Dementia from protracted mania ... ...
Observation ... ... ... ...
Delusional insanity ... ... ...
Dementia imbecility ... ... ...
TOTAL ...
Remaining 31st
Dec. 1866.
41
107
...
1
35
2
2
9
197
Admitted dur-
ing
1867,
males and fe-
males.
75
101
...
...
14
4
...
3
197
TOTAL.
116
208
...
1
49
6
2
12
394
Males.
89
159
...
1
43
2
2
11
307
Females.
27
49
...
...
6
4
...
1
87
TOTAL.
116
208
...
1
49
6
2
12
394
No. 4.
Return showing the attributed causes of mental disease in the Insanes under treatment during
the year 1867.
Remaining 31st Dec. 1866.
197
Admitted during 1867.
197
TOTAL.
394
PHYSICAL CAUSES.
Epilepsy.
13
Gunjah.
90
Liquor drinking.
18
Masterbation.
4
Opium.
...
Organic disease.
...
...
4
MORAL CAUSES.
Grief.
Cause unknown.
265
TOTAL.
394
( 18 )
No. 5.
Return showing the Religion and Sex of Patients admitted during the year 1867, with the Zillahs
from which they were received.
ZILLAHS.
Bhaugulpore ... ... ...
Bograh ... ... ...
Burdwan ... ... ...
Baraset ... ... ...
Barrackpore
...
... ...
Beerbhoom ... ... ...
Calcutta ... ... ...
Chyebassa ... ... ...
Dinapore
...
... ...
Hooghly ... ... ...
Hazarebaugh ... ... ...
Howrah ... ... ...
Jessore ... ... ...
Moorshedabad ... ... ...
Manbhoom ... ... ...
Midnapore
... ... ...
Nuddea ... ... ...
Pubnah ... ... ...
Rajshaye ... ... ...
Rungpore ... ... ...
24-Pergunnahs ... ... ...
Raneegunge ... ... ...
Port Blair
... ...
...
Bancoorah ... ... ...
Maldah
... ... ...
Bhootan ... ... ...
TOTAL ...
HINDOO.
Male.
...
...
3
1
1
2
48
...
3
4
...
5
6
5
...
...
1
1
1
1
12
1
1
1
1
1
99
Female.
...
...
2
...
...
...
13
...
...
1
1
...
3
3
1
...
...
...
...
1
4
1
...
...
...
...
30
MAHOMEDAN.
Male.
1
1
...
...
...
...
14
1
1
...
...
...
8
3
...
...
...
2
2
...
11
...
...
...
...
...
44
Female.
...
...
...
...
...
2
8
...
...
...
...
...
1
2
...
...
...
...
...
...
2
...
...
...
...
...
15
CHRISTIAN.
Male.
...
...
...
...
...
...
5
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
5
Female.
...
...
...
...
...
...
4
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
4
TOTAL.
Male.
1
1
3
1
1
2
67
1
4
4
...
5
14
8
...
...
1
3
3
1
23
1
1
1
1
1
148
Female.
...
...
2
...
...
2
25
...
...
1
1
...
4
5
1
...
...
...
...
1
6
1
...
...
...
...
49
GRAND TOTAL.
1
1
5
1
1
4
92
1
4
5
1
5
18
13
1
...
1
3
3
2
29
2
1
1
1
1
197
No. 6.
Return showing the Trade or Occupation of those admitted in 1867.
TRADE OR OCCUPATION.
Barbers ...
...
...
...
..
...
...
Beggars ... ... ... ... .. ... ...
Boatmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
Braziers (workers in brass)
...
...
...
... ...
Coachmen
...
...
...
... ...
... ...
Clerks ...
...
...
...
...
... ...
Engineers
...
...
...
...
... ...
Gardeners
...
...
...
...
... ...
Husbandmen ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Housewives ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Iron smiths ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Kahars ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Milkmen ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Milkwomen ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Native doctors ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Oil manufacturers
...
...
... ... ... ...
Prostitutes
...
...
...
...
... ...
Sweepers ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Soldiers ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Sailors ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Shop-keepers...
...
...
... ... ... ...
Unknown ... ... ... ... ... ...
Washermen
...
...
... ... ...
Washerwomen
...
...
...
... ... ...
Weavers ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
TOTAL ...
Males.
5
8
1
7
1
11
1
1
6
......
2
1
2
......
1
3
...
3
2
2
12
75
1
3
......
148
Females.
......
7
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
30
......
......
......
1
......
4
3
......
......
......
......
3
......
......
1
49
( 19 )
No. 7.
Of the admissions of the year 1867, the ages have been as follows :—
SEXES.
Males ... ... ...
Females...
...
...
TOTAL ...
From
10 to 20.
20
7
27
From
20 to 30.
79
19
98
From
30 to 40.
28
9
37
From
40 to 50.
14
11
25
From
50 to 60.
6
3
9
From
60 to 70.
1
...
1
From
70 to 80.
...
...
...
TOTAL.
148
49
197
No. 8.
Causes of mortality and duration of confinement at period of death.
DISEASES.
Asthenia
...
...
...
...
Pleurisy ... ... ... ...
Dysentery, acute
...
...
...
...
Dysentery, chronic ...
...
... ...
Diarrhœa
...
...
...
...
Epilepsy...
...
...
...
Exhaustion of mania ... ... ...
Fever, remittent
...
... ... ...
Old age
...
...
...
...
Phthisis
...
...
... ...
Pyœmia...
...
...
... ...
Pneumonia
...
...
... ...
Pulmonary abscess ...
...
... ...
TOTAL ...
No. of
Deaths.
26
1
2
5
4
1
7
1
...
1
1
1
1
51
Duration of confinement.
A mean duration only can be given in
this place. The detailed Mortality
Return (No. 12) will give the period in
each case.
No. 9.
Annual Expenditure incurred on account of the Lunatic Asylum Dullunda, for the year 1867.
Establishment
...
...
...
...
...
...
Dieting
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Contingencies
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bazar medicines
...
...
...
...
... ...
Clothing, bedding
...
...
...
...
... ...
TOTAL ...
Rs.
6,665
10,665
1,249
32
811
19,425
A.
14
3
15
12
8
6
P.
5
6
9
6
0
2
Daily average number of persons ... ... ... ...
Average yearly cost per man ... ... ... ...
220
88