LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
27
Superintendents.
STATEMENT No. 13.
YEARS.
1867 ...
1868 ...
1869 ...
1870 ...
1871 ...
Average ...
1872 ...
Daily average num-
ber.
220
268
279
309
335
282
354
PER CENT. OF AVERAGE STRENGTH.
Admitted.
89.5
73.1
63.8
59.5
52.5
67.7
61.9
DISCHARGED
Cured.
35.9
38.1
27.2
28.8
27.4
31.5
19.8
Im-
proved.
7.2
10.1
11.4
9.7
6.2
8.9
11.6
Other.
wise.
...
...
...
...
3.5
.7
3.4
Deaths.
23.18
17.9
16.4
12.6
12.8
16.6
12.4
Total dis-
charges and
deaths.
66.3
66.1
55.0
51.1
49.9
57.7
47.2
REMARKS ON THE SEVERAL ASYLUMS.
38. Dullunda.—This asylum was under the charge of Surgeon-Major A. J. Payne,
M.D., during the first four months
of the year. Surgeon S. M. Shircore
officiated for Dr. Payne during the
remainder of the year. The annual
report is written by Surgeon R. Bird,
M.D., who succeeded Dr. Shircore
as officiating Superintendent on the
27th March 1873.
Summary of the
statistics of the
year.
Population.
Admissions.
39. Dr. Bird's report gives a
clear and intelligent resumè of the
events of the year, accompanied by
some suggestive observations and
comments. The population of the
asylum has been increasing steadily during the last ten years, having nearly doubled within that
period. Statement No. 13 shows a progressive increase of residents during the last five years.
The admissions have been more numerous than in any of the previous ten years, but they hold
a smaller ratio to strength than in some of the past years.
Cures.
Escapes.
Deaths.
The cures have been actually below the average of past years, and their ratio to
strength considerably so ; the number discharged improved, and transferred to the care of
friends has, on the other hand, been actually and relatively considerably in excess of past
years. Those discharged " otherwise" consists of seven escapes and five transferred for
trial. Of those who escaped, six were re-captured. This number will not bear comparison
with past years; for, as explained by Dr. Payne in his report for 1871, the escapes used to
be registered as cures. The number of deaths has been below the average, and the death-rate
lower than that of any of the previous ten years. The small death-rate of the past three
years, as compared with their predecessors, is striking, and compares with the results observed
in the Calcutta hospitals, and the results obtained by mortuary registrations, as developed in
the report on the Calcutta Medical institutions. The rate which discharges and deaths
together hold to strength has been below the average of past years, and the difference
between the admission and discharge rates has also been greater than the average,
Overcrowding.
40. Notwithstanding that the new buildings have been in use throughout the year,
overcrowding has existed. Dr. Bird states that allowing 50 superficial feet for each patient—
and lunatics should not have less—the asylum can only contain 293 lunatics, while the daily
average in confinement exceeded this number by 61.
Establishment.
41. For the management of a larger population an increased establishment has been
found necessary. A comparison of Statements No. 12 of 1871 & 1872 will show how the esta-
blishment stood on the 31st of December of each year. By Government letter No. 2507,
dated 13th June 1872, the permanent retention of the temporary increase of staff mentioned
in last year's report was sanctioned, and some additional servants whose appointment
was found to be urgently necessary. A proposal has, since the close of the year, been
submitted and sanctioned for a complete scheme of establishment for all purposes—watch
and ward, manufacture, &c. The list of establishment which will be shown in next report
will, accordingly, represent the whole agency employed in the management of the asylum.
This has not been shown hitherto, an important part of it being excluded from the public
accounts, because the wages were paid out of the so-called industrial fund.
New rules.
42. The Committee, whose appointment was mentioned in last report, submitted a full
report in April. As the proceedings of this Committee, and the orders subsequently passed on