14
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
Cuttack asylum.
Dacca asylum.
Deaths according
to season;
according to sex ;
according to age ;
Asylums.
N. W. Provinces ...
Central Provinces ...
Oudh ... ...
Punjab ... ...
Agra ...
Benares ...
Bareilly ...
Nagpore ...
Jubbulpore ...
Lucknow ...
Delhi ...
Total ...
Daily
average
strength.
36.4
125.8
267.3
104.8
119.4
152.8
45.5
852.0
Deaths.
5
21
33
11
22
70
13
175
Percentage of
deaths to
daily average
strength.
13.7
16.7
12.4
10.5
18.4
45.8
28.6
20.5
Dr. Cayley details the fatal cases, and remarks truly that in a small asylum an excessive death-
rate in one year may be an accidental circumstance. The average mortality of the eight preceding
years was only 10.2. The mortality of the Dacca Asylum is rather less than in 1871, but
is still high. Dr. Wise shows that nearly one-half of the casualties was due to pulmonary
disease, and is inclined to attribute this result to the crowded state of the asylum. The death-
rate of Dullunda was moderate, and of Patna and Moydapore small. The death-rates
of the asylums of other provinces are
shown marginally, and, as in pre-
vious years, the asylums of Bengal
have the advantage. The greatest
number of deaths took place in June,
October, November, December, and
January following. From the state-
ment given in paragraph 12, it does
not appear that a very great prepon-
derance of deaths occurred in any
particular season. The numbers of deaths in the four quarters of the year were 26, 33, 22, and
35 and during the six months, April to September, 55 occurred against 61 in the remainder of
the year. The figures show, on the whole, an excess in the cold months, but the large number
in June tends to restore the balance. The death-rate among males was 13.6, and females 10 2.
The figures in 1871 were 12.2 and 11.9. The difference in favor of female lunatics is, therefore
greater. The greatest number of deaths took place between the ages of 30 to 40, but patients
died in a higher proportion to strength between 40 and 50.
according to du-
ration of residence.
27. Deaths according to duration of residence.—I have been enabled this year to prepare
complete statements classifying the patients resident during the year, according to the duration
of their residence in asylums ; showing the duration of residence of patients who recovered, were,
discharged improved, and died, and exhibiting the relative liability of patients to recover or, die,
according to the length of their stay in asylums.
It appears that, in 1872, the number of patients who had completed two months, but not
completed three months' residence, was higher than the average numbers who had completed
one month and two months. The numbers diminish after the third month. The first quarter
is the most populous, and the second, third, and fourth quarters show gradually diminishing
numbers. Similarly patients of less than a year's residence are much more numerous than those
who have resided two, three, four, and five years, and the diminution becomes still more strik-
ing as longer periods are taken. From statement No. 7, it appears that 20.7 per cent. of deaths
took place under three months' residence; 34.5 under six months; 39.6 under nine months; and
44 under a year. The figures for 1871 were 20.8, 31.6, 41.5, and 50.5. These figures show a
general accord, but the proportion of deaths under one year's residence was greater in 1871 than
in 1872. From statement No. 7a it appears that the most fatal month of residence was the
third; the most fatal quarter the first; the most fatal year the first; and that, generally
whether we take the actual number of deaths or their relation to the number living, there is
a greater liability to die during the earlier periods of residence. The same remark is true of
recoveries. A series of accurate statements similar to these will be very interesting.