LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
9
13. Statement VIII.—Sickness and mortality.—These are now given separ-
ately for each asylum, as directed by the Government of India. The following
abstract shows the general result:—
Remained in hospital on 1st January ...
Admitted during the year ...
Total ...
Discharged ... ... ...
Died ... ... ...
Remaining on 31st December ... ...
Total ...
Percentage of admissions to average strength ...
Average daily number of sick ... ...
Percentage constantly sick to average strength ...
Percentage of deaths to average strength ...
1892.
71
595
666
531
84
51
666
61.94
54.06
5.62
8.74
1893.
51
647
698
580
77
41
698
69.41
49.25
5.28
8.26
England ...
France ...
Austria ...
Belgium ...
Madras ...
Bombay ...
Panjab ...
N.-W. Provinces
10.1
15.
12.
8.8
18.22
15.18
19.50
9.08
Last year's report gave the percentage of admissions as the percentage of
sick to strength, and was altogether misleading. Calculated in the same way,
the results of this year would appear worse than those of 1892, inasmuch as there
is an increase both in the number of admissions and in the percentage of admis-
sions to strength. The fact is the exact contrary, as the number constantly
sick, the percentage of these to strength, and the death-rate, all show a diminu-
tion. The increase in the admissions merely indicates that a larger number of
trifling cases were treated in hospital for shorter periods, and the admission
rate, considering the class of people reported on, is marvellously low. The
admission rate of the British troops in Bengal for 1892 was 158.2 per cent., for
the native troops 123.4 per cent., and these are picked healthy men in the prime
of life. Excluding venereal cases to make the comparison perfectly fair, the
rates were 117 and 119.7 per cent. The asylum figures bear strong evidence
of the excellent hygienic conditions under which the lunatics live and the care
that is taken of them. The death-rate of an asylum
is always much greater than that of the general
population, but the Bengal figures compare very
favourably with those of European asylums or
with the other Provinces of India. The latest
figures I have been able to obtain are given in the
margin.
At Dullunda there was an increase of nine in the total number of admis-
sions, a large increase from fever and dysentery due, no doubt, to the un-
usual rainfall, though badly cooked vegetables and dál may have helped to swell
the number of bowel-complaints. The cooks had to be punished several times,
and the Superintendent believes that the kitchen arrangements are now placed
on a better footing. In his report for last year he attributed the existence of
pneumonia to insufficient clothing ; this was remedied, and no case occurred in
1893. There was no epidemic.
Dacca had 39 more admissions than in 1892, but as there were 87 cases of
influenza, this is easily accounted for. There was a marked decrease in the
number of cases of diarrhœa, fever, anæmia and debility. Two cases of cholera,
one fatal, occurred in April, and the disease appeared to have been introduced
by a keeper who was attacked outside the asylum, and came to perform his duties
while suffering from diarrhœa.
Patna had 20 admissions in excess of 1892, mainly accounted for by an
increase of fever, but the Superintendent remarks that the year was healthier
than its predecessor. There was no epidemic.
Cuttack was remarkably healthy, had only four admissions during the year,
no epidemic and no death.
Berhampore shows the diminished number of 97 admissions against 113 in
1892, chiefly due to fewer cases of diarrhœa. The daily average sick and
percentage of sick to strength were also lower, but there were 20 deaths against
15. There was no epidemic, but three cases of sporadic cholera occurred in
B