NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
50
MOYDAPORE ASYLUM.
his dismissal long ago had not his services been so excessively overrated by his superior, the
late civil surgeon. There is no occupation for such an official here, and I recommend his
discharge. A head native overseer, who was sufficiently educated to relieve the civil surgeon
from the trouble of writing the monthly returns, and who could keep the accounts and supply
diets, is all that is required in such a place as this; and I therefore advise the introduction
here of a good darogah on Rs. 25 a month. I again invite attention to the recommendations
which I made in my inspection reports on asylums last year; and when this asylum is
re-built, or when new asylums elsewhere are constructed, I urgently press for the appoint-
ment of a resident medical officer, as in all the asylums in England. There should be a
good, specially instructed medical officer living on the asylum grounds. In every case his
salary would be Rs. 100 a month only, and he would have under his superintendence every¬
thing connected with the sanitation, hygiene, treatment, and clothing of the insanes, whilst the
civil surgeon, on a reduced salary, should be simple superintendent, which he is not now. I
would give him Rs. 100 for this duty, instead of Rs. 150 and 200. The cost would be the same
to Government, and increased efficiency would result. There were four criminal lunatics here,
and I ordered the civil surgeon to see that in future the recent orders of the Bengal Govern-
ment for the quarterly examination and report of insanes may be carried out. These buildings
had very recently been repaired by the Department Public Works at a reasonable cost, I
presume, and yet the whole of the enclosed space was in a state of disrepair which was
exceedingly painful and annoying to witness, the plaster on the walls and pillars peeling
off. The personal appearance of the inmates exhibited indications of anything but interest
and care.
G. SAUNDERS,
Deputy Inspector- General.
No. 2.
Abstract of annual return of lunatics in the Moydapore Lunatic Asylum for 1869.
SEXES.
Males ...
Females ...
Total ...
Remaining
on
31st Dec. 1868.
9
......
9
Admitted.
13
1
14
Total.
22
1
23
Cured.
2
......
2
Transferred to
Dullunda
Asylum.
*1
......
1
Escaped.
......
......
......
Died
1
...
1
Remain-
ing.
18
1
19
REMARKS.
* Transferred to Dullunda
Asylum on the 1st
Oct. 1869, as he was
sent here by mistake.
Average daily sick throughout the year
...
...
...
...
Influenced by the moon ... ... ... ... ... ...
Rate per cent. of cures and transfers (on actual strength) ... ...
Ditto
ditto of mortality
(
ditto
) ... ...
Ditto
ditto of ditto
(on daily average strength) ... ...
Nil
Nil
13.04
4.3
7.4
No. 3.
Abstract from annual return of patients treated, showing the nature of insanity.
NATURE OF INSANITY.
105 Mania, a ... ... ...
105 Ditto, b ... ... ...
107 Dementia, b
...
...
Remaining
on 31st De-
cember 1868.
......
6
3
Admitted
during 1869.
3
9
2
Total.
3
15
5
Males.
2
15
5
Females.
1
......
......
Total.
3
15
5
REMARKS.
One was transferred to
Dullunda on the 1st
October 1869.
One for observation.
MOYDAPORE ASYLUM.
51
No. 4.
Return showing the attributed causes of mental diseases in the insanes under treatment during the
year 1869.
Remaining on 31st December 1868
9
Admitted
1869.
14
PHYSICAL CAUSES.
Gunja.
6
Fever.
1
MORAL CAUSE.
Grief.
1
Unknown.
15
Total.
23
No. 5.
Return showing the caste and sex of patients admitted during the year 1869, and the zillahs from
which they were received.
ZILLAHS.
Moorshedabad... ... ... ... ...
Rajshahye ... ... ... ... ...
Nuddea...
...
...
...
...
Maldah
...
...
...
...
...
Pubna
...
...
...
...
...
Total ...
HINDOOS.
Males.
2
1
......
1
1
5
Females.
1
......
......
......
......
1
MAHOMEDANS.
Males.
5
2
1
......
......
8
Females.
......
......
......
......
......
CHRISTIANS.
Males.
......
......
......
......
......
......
Females.
......
......
......
......
......
......
TOTAL.
Males.
7
3
1
1
1
13
Females.
1
......
......
......
......
1
Grand total.
8
3
1
1
1
14
No. 6.
Return showing the trades or occupations of those admitted in 1869.
Beggar
...
...
...
...
...
Karigur
...
...
...
...
...
Cultivator
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Husbandry
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Government pensioner
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Butcher
...
... ...
...
... ...
...
...
...
...
...
English writer
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Trader
... ...
...
...
...
... ...
...
...
...
...
...
Shop-keeper
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Manjee
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Unknown...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total ...
Males.
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
13
Females.
1
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
1
52
MOYDAPORE ASYLUM.
No. 7.
Of the admissions of the year 1869, the ages have been as follows.
SEXES.
Males ... ... ...
Females ... ... ...
Total ...
From
10 to 20
years.
......
......
......
From
20 to 30
years.
7
1
8
From
30 to 40
years.
4
......
4
From
40 to 50
years.
......
......
......
From
50 to 60
years.
2
......
2
From
60 to 70
years.
......
......
......
From
70 to 80
years.
......
......
......
Total.
13
1
14
No. 8.
Causes of mortality and duration of confinement at period of death.
DISEASE.
904, old age
...
...
Total ...
No. of
death.
1
1
Duration of confinement.
9 years and 15 days.
Average period of residence, 9 years and 15 days.
No. 9.
Annual expenditure incurred on account of the Lunatic Asylum at Moydapore for the year 1869.
Establishment
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Dieting ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
... ...
...
...
Contingencies
...
...
...
Bazar medicines
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Clothing and blankets for 1869-70
Total Rs
Rs.
1,602
291
26
0
39
1,959
As.
8
5
10
0
6
14
P.
8
5
8½
0
0
9½
Number of patients in confinement during the year ... ... ...
Average yearly expenses of each
...
...
...
...
...
...
Average yearly dieting expenses of each ... ... ... ... ... ...
...
23
Rs. 145
„
21
10
10
5
2
No. 10.
Statement of profits of the labor of the lunatics in the asylum.
ITEMS.
Spinning puttooa and making morahs, with other articles
made of bamboos
... ... ... ... ... ...
Add estimated labor as per statement No. 11, for which cash
is not received
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total Rs.
...
...
...
Amount of
profit.
Rs.
102
461
563
As.
10
4
15
P.
9
6
3
REMARKS.
Daily average number of patients in confinement ... ... ... ... ...
Daily average number employed ... ... ... ... ... ...
13.45
12.00
MOYDAPORE ASYLUM.
53
Manufacture account of the Moydapore Lunatic Asylum for 1869.
January, materials purchased ... ...
Remitted to treasury as per collector's
receipt, 4th February 1869 ...
February, materials purchased
...
March,
ditto
ditto ...
April,
ditto
ditto
...
May,
ditto
ditto ...
June,
ditto
ditto ...
July,
ditto
ditto ...
Remitted to treasury as per collector's
receipt, 27th August 1869
...
August, materials purchased ...
September, ditto
ditto ...
October,
ditto
ditto
...
November, ditto
ditto ...
December, ditto
ditto ...
Balance in hand, 31st December 1869...
Total Rs. ...
...
Rs.
1
42
1
2
3
2
4
4
30
3
4
3
3
3
64
176
As.
4
15
5
13
2
1
8
7
15
9
0
3
8
4
15
2
P.
3
8
0
9
0
9
9
0
4
5
6
0
0
3
8
4
Cash balance in hand from 1868
January, articles sold ... ... ...
February,
ditto
...
...
...
March,
ditto
...
...
...
April,
ditto
...
...
...
May,
ditto
...
...
...
June,
ditto
...
...
...
Profits of garden for half-year ending
30th June 1869 ... ... ...
July,
articles sold
...
...
August,
ditto
...
...
September, ditto ... ...
October,
ditto
...
...
November,
ditto
...
...
December,
ditto
...
...
Profits of garden for the half-year end-
ing 31st December 1869
...
...
Total Rs. ... ...
Rs.
36
7
6
7
8
8
8
12
10
11
10
11
10
12
15
176
As.
3
0
0
12
4
4
6
13
11
0
7
0
9
8
1
2
P.
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
7
0
6
9
8
0
5
4
No. 11.
Statement of estimated value of lunatic labor for 1869.
NATURE OF OCCUPATION.
Price of 36 maunds 4 seers vegetables supplied from
garden raised by lunatic labor and not charged for,
at Rs. 1-8 per maund ... ... ... ...
Price of 5 pieces of cloth supplied to insanes and not
charged for, at Rs. 2 per piece... ...
Making morahs and other articles made of bam-
boos, &c.
...
...
...
...
Spinning puttooa ...
...
...
...
Gardening
...
...
...
Cooks (Mahomedan)
...
...
...
Bheestees or water-carriers ...
Sweepers to assist in keeping the asylum premises
clean
...
...
...
...
Miscellaneous work
...
...
...
Total Rs. ...
Amount.
Rs.
54
10
100
36
43
48
72
36
60
461
As.
1
0
14
3
2
0
0
0
15
4
P.
6
0
0
6
6
0
0
0
0
6
REMARKS.
From stock in hand.
No paid gardener allowed.
No paid Mahomedan cook.
No paid bheestee or water-carrier.
Leeping cells,bazaar work, dhobees'
work, &c.
Statement showing the number of criminal lunatics admitted for the first and second time in
the Moydapore Asylum in 1869.
NUMBER.
1
2
3
4
Names.
Mahomed Akbar ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Syud Akbar Ally alias Jetun Shaheb ... ... ... ...
Bukshoo Pramanick
... ... ...
... ...
Brojo Lall Shaha
... ... ... ...
TOTAL ...
... ... ...
1st
admis-
sion.
1
1
1
1
4
2nd
admis-
sion.
......
......
......
......
......
REMARKS.
BERHAMPORE,
The 18th January 1870.
JOHN WHITE, M.D., Surgeon-Major,
Civil Surgeon, Moorshedabad.
o
BHOWANIPORE ASYLUM.
57
A very pretty and useful garden shed has been erected during the past year in the
asylum grounds of corrugated iron. It is for the use of the female insanes, to enable them
to sit out as much as possible in the open air. It is covered now with creepers, and is not only
useful, but ornamental. The superintendent's report will give all necessary information of a
statistical nature, as also on the question of cost of maintaining the asylum; but I may
remark that the cost of actual monthly maintenance per individual (Rs. 23-5-4) is moderate
and reasonable, considering the manner in which the supplies are contracted for and the
higher market rates of many articles of food during the year. The medical treatment of the
insanes has always appeared to me to be judicious. It is very rare indeed that much treatment
is needed, and the overseer and his assistant are generally enabled, I am told, to carry out
their orders without having recourse to violent measures of repression. Occasionally forcible
restraint is needed, but usually kindness and gentleness are all that is required.
In his report, the superintendent raises the question of the causation of insanity as
dependant on, or associated with intemperance, and records his belief that in most cases
where an insane has been addicted to intemperate habits, it should be considered as one of the
manifestations of disease.
Possibly Dr. Payne is correct in his view of the relationship between insanity and
habitual drunkenness, but probably the true explanation is this, that whereas in rare cases it is
found that mania directly results from intemperance, yet that the too free use of spirituous
liquors will be more likely than anything else to assist in maturing mental disease whenever
there is a hereditary tendency, or the individual is predisposed by habit or mode of life, or as
a result of acute brain disease.
Very little is done at this asylum in the way of labor. Doubtless many forms of mental
disease are benefitted by manual labor, and it is to be regretted that such an approved
remedial agent cannot be more frequently had recourse to; but it seems there is considerable
difficulty in this asylum of carrying out any system of labor. Soldier insanes are only here
for a short time, and Dr. Payne finds that the Eurasians won't work.
The women do needle work, and croquet and other amusements are available for the
latter. I think it is to be regretted that the after history of the insanes sent from this asylum
to England is never communicated to the superintendent, and this remark is especially refer-
able to military insanes.
Insanity is often assumed by men in the service as a means of getting themselves dis-
charged, and I think I have occasionally seen men at Bhowanipore whose appearance and
condition suggested the idea either that the particular mental condition for which they had
been invalided was of a very ephemeral kind, or that it had not existed.
A brief sketch from England of the insanes' after history might be a useful aid and
guide for the future.
G. SAUNDERS,
Deputy Inspector-General.
P
62
BHOWANIPORE ASYLUM.
ABSTRACT.
Males ... ...
Females ... ...
Total ...
Remaining 1st
January
1869.
23
9
32
Admitted.
64
12
76
Re-admitted.
1
1
2
Total of remained,
admitted and
re-admitted.
83
22
110
Discharged
cured.
8
7
15
Improved
transferred
to friends.
1
3
4
Despatched to
Europe as
ordinary
invalids.
36
3
19
Despatched to
Europe as
insanes.
15
0
15
Died
2
0
2
REMAINING UNDER TREATMENT.
European.
Males ...
...
Females
...
East
Indian.
Males ...
...
Females
...
40
3
5
6
54
Paying.
2
1
0
2
5
Military and
pauper.
38
2
5—1 escaped.
4
49—1
Ratio per cent. of cures and transfers to total treated, including those removed as insanes ...
Ratio per cent. mortality to total treated ... ... ... ... ... ...
Influence of the moon ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
48.18
1.81
None.
Detailed report of fatal cases during the year 1869.
NAME.
William Barret ... ... ....
John Train ... ... ...
Age.
71
29
Date of admission.
13th April 1841 ... ...
30th Sept. 1869 ... ...
Date of death.
15th Feb. 1869 ...
11th Mar. „ ...
Disease.
904, old age ... ...
905, debility. ...
105, mania, a ...
905, debility. ...
REMARKS.
Had been in the asylum for eight and twenty years. There was no special disease to
account for death. He sank gradually from exhaustion of age apparently.
Great maniacal excitement from time of admission. Occasional convulsive seizures. Sank
under gradual exhaustion.
FORT WILLIAM;
BHOWANIPORE,
The 16th February 1870.
ARTHUR PAYNE, M.D., Surgeon-Major,
Superintendent of Asylums at the Presidency.
(RESOLUTION.)
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.
MEDICAL.
Fort William, the 29th September 1870.
READ la etter No. 385 dated the 9th July 1870, from the Inspector-
General of Hospitals, Bengal Medical Department, submitting the annual
reports and returns of the Lunatic Asylums in the Lower Provinces for the
year 1869.
* Dullunda.
Dacca.
Patna.
Cuttack.
Moydapore.
1. The total number of insanes admitted and re-admitted into the several
native institutions* during the year was slightly
below the number in the previous year, being 418
against 429; but the aggregate number treated was
greater than in any of the preceding six years,
namely, 1,106. Of these 237 were discharged, 16 per cent. as cured, and
5.3 per cent. improved and made over to friends, the total percentage being
21.4 against 25.71 discharged in 1868. The re-admissions were 27, or 3
per cent. less than in the previous year.
2. The mortality amounted to 113, or 10.2 percent. of the total number
treated, which was slightly in excess of the rates in 1868, though below the
average of the preceding six years; while the percentage of deaths to the
daily average strength stood at 15.6 against 15.25 in 1868, when the results
were considered particularly favorable. Of the 113 deaths, 18, or 16 per
cent. were from cholera.
At Cuttack and Moydapore the daily average strength was too small
for purposes of general comparison. At Patna, where 269 were treated, the
results, both as to cures and mortality, were more favorable than at either
Dullunda or Dacca ; while at Dullunda, which received the largest number,
the results were more favorable than at Dacca, where decidedly the greatest
amount of sickness prevailed.
3. The relative proportions of females to males, 1 to 4.35, and of the
several classes of Hindoos, Mahomedans, and Christians, exhibited no
remarkable variation. Seventy-one criminal lunatics were admitted, of whom
9 were received a second time. It would be of importance, with reference to
the deputy inspector-general's remarks in his annual inspection report as to
the frequency of crimes committed during temporary insanity induced by the
use of intoxicating drugs, to note how far such cause has operated in these
cases, and special observations should therefore be made and reported in
future returns with respect to this class.
4. Of the whole number under treatment, 71.15 per cent were suffer-
ing from acute or chronic mania, as distinguished from dementia, and no less
than 490 cases proceeded from, or were attributed to, the use of intoxicating
drugs and spirits. The number in Patna from ganjah alone, put down
at 126, is very noticeable, and would show that this drug is more largely
consumed in Behar than elsewhere. At Dacca it would appear that
distinction between the cases arising from the two classes of stimulants was
not very carefully made, and the remark of the medical officer that ganjah¬
smokers are all spirit-drinkers is certainly opposed to general experience.
( 3 )
misconduct of the late overseer who has been discharged. The appointment
of a matron for the female lunatics has been approved of and sanctioned.
9. Cuttack.—The daily average number of inmates was 36. There
has been evident careful treatment and management, and the results are
satisfactory. The European overseer having been transferred to Patna, his
place has been supplied by a native, and the expense of establishment has
been reduced by Rs. 1,200.
10. Moydapore.—The average daily number here did not exceed 13.
The Asylum is reported to be badly situated, and there is nothing to recom-
mend its continuance, except as a temporary place of accommodation, until
other and better provision can be made.
11. The report of the Bhowanipore European Asylum records the
admission of 78 patients during the year, making a total of 110 under
treatment, and including 88 males and 22 females. Of these 15 were dis-
charge cured, 4 were improved and transferred to friends, and 34 were
despatched to Europe. Two only died. The cost of maintenance was con-
siderably reduced, and the sum of Rs. 3,646 was realized for the keep of
patients.
The management generally of this institution, which is also under
Dr. Payne's superintendence, has been most satisfactory, and the services of
the overseer and matron have been strongly commended.
The Government of India will be addressed with regard to obtaining
information of the after history of insanes sent to Europe, and of the effect
upon them of change of climate, which it is very desirable to possess.
Ordered, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Inspector-
General of Hospitals for information and guidance.
Ordered, that extracts from paragraph 7 of this resolution, and page
VI of the report, be forwarded to the Public Works Department of this
Government for information.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
A. EDEN,
Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal.
No. 3392.
COPY forwarded to the Inspector-General of Hospitals for information
and guidance.
No. 3393.
EXTRACT from paragraph 7 of this resolution and page VI of the report
forwarded to the Public Works Department of this Government.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
FORT WILLIAM,
The 29th September 1870.
A. MACKENZIE,
Offg. Junior Secy, to the Govt. of Bengal.
ANNUAL REPORT
ON THE
INSANE ASYLUMS IN BENGAL,
FOR THE YEAR 1870.
BY
J. CAMPBELL BROWN, ESQ., M.D.
Inspector-General of Hospitals, Indian Medical Department.
Calcutta:
PRINTED AT THE BENGAL SECRETARIAT OFFICE.
1871.
ANNUAL REPORT
ON THE
INSANE ASYLUMS IN BENGAL,
FOR THE YEAR 1870.
BY
J. CAMPBELL BROWN, ESQ., M.D.
Inspector-General of Hospital, Indian Medical Department.
Calcutta:
PRINTED AT THE BENGAL SECRETARIAT OFFICE.
1871.
No. 353.
FROM THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF HOSPITALS,
INDIAN MEDICAL DEPARTMENT,
To THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF BENGAL.
Dated Fort William, the 13th July 1871.
SIR,
I HAVE the honor to present the reports and returns of the lunatic asylums of
the Lower Provinces for the year 1870. To these I shall, in accordance with former practice,
prefix a general statement, illustrated by summary tables, commenting on the general results
of the year as compared with the series and average of the five years preceding.
2. Statement No. 1 furnishes the summary results of 1870 for all the native asylums
in comparison with the years 1865-69, and statement No. 2 shows the general statistical data
for each institution for the year under review. It were well if each asylum gave the figures
of the year under report in comparison with former years on a uniform plan, so that it might
admit of ready comparison with its own previous history, with other asylums, and with the
general table for all asylums. For this purpose a form will be adapted and brought into
general use.
No. 1.
Comparison of 1870 with the five preceding years.
1. Remaining on 1st January ...
2. Admitted during the year ... ...
3. Total treated ... ... ...
4. Daily average strength. ... ...
5. Admissions per cent. of daily average
strength ... ... ...
6. Total discharged, transferred, &c. ...
7. Discharged per cent. of total treated ...
8. Ditto
ditto
of daily average
strength
...
...
...
9. Discharged cured
...
...
10. Ditto
ditto
per cent. of admissions
11. Ditto
ditto
ditto of total treated
12. Ditto
ditto
ditto of daily average
strength ... ... ...
13. Improved and transferred to care of
friends ... ... ...
14. Ditto ditto per cent. of total treated ...
15. Ditto ditto ditto of daily average
strength ... ... ...
1865.
629
438
1,067
658
66.5
328
30.7
498
251
57.3
23.5
38.1
77
7.2
10.8
1866.
634
310
940
607
51
221
23.5
36.4
182
58.7
19.3
29.9
39
4.1
6.4
1867.
574
372
946
603
61.6
187
19.17
31
149
40
15.7
24.7
28
2.9
4.8
1868.
652
429
1,081
675
63.5
290
26.7
42.8
228
53.1
21.09
33.7
50
4.6
7.4
1869.
688
418
1,106
72.12
57.9
248
22.4
34.3
178
42.5
16.09
24.6
59
5.3
8.1
Average of 5
years.
635.4
393.4
1,028
652.8
60.4
254.8
22.5
39.3
197.6
50.2
19.2
30.2
50.6
4.9
7.7
1870.
746
401
1,147
77.41
51.8
257
22.4
33.2
187
46.6
16.3
24.1
49
4.2
6.3
Increase.
111
7.6
119
121.3
......
2.2
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
Decrease.
...
...
...
...
7.3
...
.1
6.1
10.6
3.6
2.9
6.1
1.6
.7
1.4