10
LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
trivial cases were brought on the sick list, who were not so treated in former
years. The same reason accounts for the increase in the cases of anæmia
and debility. Pneumonia was less common, due to better clothing arrange-
ments The number of patients treated for phthisis shows a marked diminu-
tion. The Superintendent states that there was a general improvement of
health of the inmates, owing to the formation of an infirm gang, in which all
weakly persons and those losing weight received extra diet and special atten-
dance, to the careful inspection of all the lunatics once a week, and to the issue
of prophylactics from the beginning of the year.
At Patna the admissions numbered 103, against 97 in 1896, an increase
of 6 only. Cases of general bad health were more common. There were 9
cases of phthisis, against 6 in 1896. The increase took place among the
older patients, and the Superintendent remarks that probably the epidemic of
influenza, which prevailed in 1896, made them susceptible to this affection.
Cases of dysentery were the same as in 1896, and the numbers treated for
diarrhœa and malarial fevers were fewer.
At Cuttack, the admissions were less than in 1896. The numbers treated
are small and call for no special comment. At Berhampur, there were fewer
admissions, due chiefly to the absence of influenza. A few cases of mumps
occurred towards the close of the year. Cases of dysentery and diarrhœa
showed a marked diminution, which is probably attributable to better water-
supply, the Alipore boiler erected in 1896 having been in use throughout the
year under report. Cases of pneumonia and phthisis were, however, more
common.
15. The main causes of sickness and mortality in towns and jails, near
which asylums are situated, are shown in the following tables : —
TABLE VIII.
Statement showing the Mortality among the general Population.
NAMES OF
LOCALITIES.
1
Calcutta
...
...
Dacca...
...
Patna
...
...
Cuttack
...
...
Berhampore ...
Popula-
tion.
2
681,560
82,321
165,192
47,186
23,515
Fever.
1896.
3
9,564
1,438
3,233
542
462
1897.
4
9,619
1,448
2,755
579
560
*Bowel-complaints.
1896.
5
2,967
484
886
158
44
1897.
6
3,218
548
888
196
55
Cholera.
1896.
7
3,449
230
1,148
95
101
1897.
8
2,319
54
666
167
220
Total deaths from
all causes.
1896.
9
24,356
3,151
7,584
1,179
738
1897.
10
24,665
3,101
6,434
1,413
987
Ratio per 1,000 of
population.
1896.
11
35.73
38.27
45.91
24.98
31.38
1897.
12
36.18.
37.66
38.94
29.94
41.97
* Deaths registered under head Dysentery and Diarrhœa only.
TABLE IX.
Statement showing Sickness and Mortality in the Jails near which the Asylums are situated.
1
Anæmia and debility ..
Cholera
...
...
...
Diarrhœa and dysentery
Fevers ... ... ... ...
Pneumonia ... ... ...
Phthisis
...
...
Other diseases ... ...
Total ...
Daily average strength
Daily average sick ...
PRESIDENCY
JAIL.
1896.
Total treated.
2
6
1
280
217
9
26
313
852
Died.
3
...
1
6
...
2
3
4
16
1,165.87
29.54
1897.
Total treated.
4
4
...
243
194
11
19
162
633
Died.
5
...
...
9
2
3
3
6
23
1,192.67
24.16
ALIPORE JAIL.
1896.
Total treated.
6
17
2
511
591
32
16
1,342
2,511
Died.
7
...
2
7
...
5
12
10
36
1,592.68
78.02
1897.
Total treated.
8
19
4
672
474
42
19
934
2,164
Died.
9
...
1
3
1
10
7
12
34
1,780.36
67.11
DACCA JAIL.
1896.
Total treated.
10
56
1
273
505
87
3
713
1,638
Died.
11
3
1
4
4
1
2
15
1,066.06
75.10
1897.
Total treated.
12
36
1
257
3S(5
15
4
207
906
Died.
13
...
1
2
1
2
4
10
1,094.29
44.35
PATNA JAIL.
1896.
Total treated.
14
1
36
121
122
1
1
126
408
Died.
15
...
12
2
3
...
1
3
21
278.48
12.25
1897.
Total treated.
16
...
...
129
128
2
1
179
439
Died.
17
...
...
1
1
2
1
2
7
333.10
10.48
CUTTACK
JAIL.
1896.
Total treated.
18
2
...
60
59
1
3
56
181
Died.
19
2
...
...
1
3
200.19
5.53
1897.
Total treated.
20
1
6
80
111
8
4
38
248
Died.
21
...
4
5
1
...
3
1
14
284.46
8.63
BERHAMPORE
JAIL.
1896.
Total treated.
22
...
1
98
137
3
2
208
449
Died.
23
...
1
1
...
2
1
1
6
226.98
11.92
1897.
Total treated.
24
...
...
66
90
2
...
88
246
Died.
25
...
...
1
...
1
...
...
2
226.82
6.54