30
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
Superintendent.
Population.
Admissions.
Cures.
Deaths.
STATEMENT NO. 15.
YEARS.
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
Average
1872
Daily average
number.
130
162
161
183
211
169
234
PER CENT. OF AVERAGE STRENGTH.
Admissions.
59.2
64.2
65.8
64.1
40.8
66.8
52.9
DISCHARGED
Cured.
16.9
47.5
41.6
21.8
27.5
311
23.1
Im-
proved.
1.5
3.7
11.1
11
1.4
3.7
2.1
Other-
wise.
1.6
1.8
1.2
......
.5
.1
17
Deaths.
12.3
3.7
13.6
9.8
5.7
9.
6.8
Total dis-
charges and
deaths.
32.2
66.7
67.5
32.7
35.1
44.8
33.7
56. Patna.—This asylum has been under the charge of Surgeon B. Simpson, M.D.,
whose report gives a clear
and intelligent account of
the transactions of the year.
The number of inmates has
been unusually large, and
the admissions more numer-
ous than in any of the
previous ten years. The
admission rate has been less
than in many of the preced-
ing years. The absolute
number of cures was above
the average, but the propor-
tion to population below. The deaths amounted to 16, against an average of 15.6 for the
previous ten years. The death-rate was, as compared with previous years and other asylums,
very favorable. The health of the lunatics was very good throughout the year.
Improvements.
57. Dr. Simpson describes several improvements which have been effected during the
year. In consequence of the increasing number of inmates, the superintendent was obliged to
apply for an increased staff of male attendants. The number was accordingly raised from
15 to 17. (Government letter No. 4964, dated 12th November 1872.) The wages of some
of the menial servants were also increased, and the cost met by a reduction in numbers.
Superintendent.
Summary of the
events of the year.
Population.
Deaths.
STATEMENT NO. 16.
YEARS.
1867 ...
1868 ...
1869 ...
1870 ...
1871 ...
Average
1872 ...
Daily average number.
33
36
36
38
41
37
51
PER CENT. OF AVERAGE STRENGTH.
Admitted.
63.6
47.2
58.3
57.9
88.6
63.1
27.4
DISCHARGED.
Cured.
24.2
22.2
11.1
44.7
27.2
25.9
9.8
Improved.
9.1
8.3
8.4
13.1
6.8
9.1
1.9
Otherwise.
...
...
2.7
23.7
...
5.3
1.9
Deaths.
12.1
11.1
8.4
5.2
9.1
9.2
25.6
Total discharges
and deaths.
45.4
41.6
30.6
86.7
43.1
49.5
39.2
58. Cuttack.—The asylum was during the year, under the charge of Surgeon-Major A.
Fleming, M.D. The annual report
and returns have been submitted
by Surgeon H. Cayley, who relieved
Dr. Fleming in December.
Overcrowding.
59. Dr. Buckle, in forwarding
the report, summarizes the events of
the year as follows :—
" The average daily number of
lunatics in the asylum during the
past year has been 51.45, which is
an increase of 19.21 over that of the
previous year. The deaths have
been much higher than during any of the former years, being 13 from all causes, or 25.26
per cent. The asylum is stated to have accommodation for 31 males and 13 females.
total 44; so that regarding the relative size of the asylum, and the number of inmates, the over-
crowding was extreme, although opinions formed on such confined data, as is the case in this institu-
tion, are of little value ; the conclusion is, that want of sufficient space is acting unfavorably on the
inmates, and that in removing this, the chances of reducing the death-rate to what it was
when the number of inmates was smaller, may probably be found. During the last two years,
the superintendents of the asylum have brought the want of sufficient accommodation to notice."
There can be no doubt that the asylum is overcrowded and dangerously so. I was
informed in September that the question of extending the asylum was under the consideration
of Government.
60. The asylum has been carefully and judiciously managed during the year, and Dr.
Cayley reports that the darogah and warders are giving satisfaction,