LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
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In Calcutta, cholera was less prevalent and fatal than in 1896. There was
no case in the Presidency Jail, but 4 cases, with one death, occurred in the
Alipore Jail. In this respect the Dullunda Asylum enjoyed an immunity
during 1897. At Dacca, there was one fatal case in the Jail, but no case
originated in the Asylum there. The disease was also absent from the Patna,
Cuttack and Berhampore Asylums.
16. The total mortality.—The total number of deaths was 90, or 9.70 per
cent. of average strength, against 9.84 in 1896, and 8.15 in 1895. Excluding
the year 1896, the rate was highest for ten previous years. The following
table shows the mortality in each Asylum:—
TABLE X.
Dullunda ...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Berhampore ...
Total ...
1896.
Deaths.
25
30
19
1
15
90
Percentage
on daily
average
strength.
10.09
13.48
8.70
4.26
7.41
9.84
1897.
Deaths.
30
18
23
1
18
90
Percentage
on daily
average
strength.
12.15
8.08
10.18
3.69
8.77
9.70
The largest number of deaths occurred in Dullunda. Dacca, which showed
the highest death-rate in 1896, stands fourth in the above table, while Patna
occupies the second position, Berhampore the third, and Cuttack the fifth.
There were, in all, 30 deaths at Dullunda, 7 of which resulted from
phthisis, 6 from remittent fever, 5 from dysentery, 3 from pneumonia, 2 from
debility and 1 each from old age, pachymeningitis, epilepsy, general paralysis
of the insane, diarrhœa, sub-acute cystitis and suppuration of muscles. Most
of the 6 cases shown as fatal from remittent fever were also suffering from
complications of the spleen, and in some cases from enlarged liver, with
anæmia and œdema of the extremities—a condition well-known as malarial
cachexia. In connection with the higher death-rate in 1897, the Superin-
tendent states that 1 death occurred in the case of a woman aged 70 years,
10 deaths took place between the ages of 50 and 60 and 8 occurred between
the ages of 40 and 50.
The new admissions were in exceptionally bad
health; out of the 79 admissions 9 died, or over 11 per cent., and some of
them were really moribund on admission. Altogether 4 deaths, the Superin-
tendent states, occurred within 25 days of admission.
The death-rate at Dacca was 8.08 per cent., against 13.48 in 1896. This
is the lowest rate of mortality on record since 1890. Excluding the suicidal
death, the rate is 7.64 per cent., a very satisfactory result—due, as the Superin-
tendent states, to better dieting and clothing, constant supervision, institution
of an infirm gang, the issue of cinchonidine with iron, and of the whole produce
of the dairy to the lunatics. There were 18 fatal cases, against 30 in 1896.
Of the 18, 4 each occurred from dysentery and phthisis, 2 from diarrhœa, and
1 each from remittent fever, anæmia, apoplexy, epilepsy, pneumonia, enteritis,
and ague cake, and 1 was a case of suicide.
At Patna, there were 23 deaths, against 19 in 1896, the death-rate being
10.18 and 8.70, respectively. Six of the 23 deaths resulted from phthisis, 5 from
dysentery, 3 from broncho-pneumonia, 2 from remittent fever, 2 from dropsy
and 1 each from debility, uterine cancer, œdema of the lungs, excessive growth
of fat, ulceration of the stomach. As regards the increased mortality, the
Superintendent states that many lunatics, who had been for years in the asylum
C
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