LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
9
minor ailments under observation or into a weakly gang without ever bring-
ing them under medical treatment. But deaths are stern facts which must
be accounted for, and although they may rise or fall in any one year owing to
exceptional circumstances, a persistent variation from the average death-rate is
usually the best test of the healthiness or unhealthiness of an asylum. Taken
by this standard, the asylum at Cuttack has been the healthiest, and that at
Berhampore the most unhealthy during the year.
22. At Dullunda there were 16 deaths, or 7.08 per cent., on the daily
average strength, against 16 and 7.37 respectively in the previous year. Five
of the deaths were due to tubercle of lungs, which is a common disease of
lunatics. There was one case of general paralysis of the insane under treat-
ment—a very rare occurrence in an Indian asylum, so rare indeed as to make
the accuracy of the diagnosis doubtful.
23. At Dacca the mortality fell from 9.19 in 1888 to 7.56 in 1889.
Fevers were more than usually prevalent at this asylum, but caused no deaths.
Bowel-complaints were more common than in any of the other asylums and
gave rise to a considerable portion of the deaths. It is probable that the damp-
ness of the climate is the main cause of this prevalence, because the drinking
water is derived from the water system of the town, and is considered to be of
good quality.
24. Patna has enjoyed hitherto the reputation of having the healthiest
lunatic asylum of the province, but in 1889 the death-rate rose from 5.6 to
9.59 per cent. The Superintendent, Dr. Purves, says in his annual report
that "it is difficult to account for the greater mortality, but the dampness of
the wards in connection with the repairs may have had something to do with
it." Of the 24 deaths no less than half of them were caused by chest affections,
including six which were due to phthisis.
25. At Berhampore there were 27 deaths, making the death-rate 12.88
against 8.73 in the previous year. This increased mortality was largely due
to the prevalence of chest affections, and also to an outbreak of cholera
which occurred in February. When the disease made its appearance in the
asylum, it was not prevalent among the general population outside the walls,
and the Superintendent, Dr. Sanders, attributes it to the burying of night-soil
in the garden within the asylum enclosure, in order to effect a reduction in the
establishment of sweepers, but the short duration of the outbreak, and the fact
that one case occurred in the female division a month after the operation of this
supposed cause ceased to exist, tends to negative his conclusion. This system
of disposing of excreta is followed in many jails in Bengal without any bad
result, and I attribute the appearance of the disease to the defective sanitary
condition of the asylum.
There was more or less overcrowding during the
year, particularly in the male division, where all the cases but one occurred; the
drinking water was derived from an adjoining tank, which is liable to pollution,
and owing to the peculiar construction of the barracks, it is most difficult
to carry out an efficient system of conservancy. The subject is at present
receiving the attention of the Superintendent, who has been asked to draw up
a scheme for the enlargement of the asylum grounds, by which it will be possible
to improve the sanitary arrangements and remove many defects which at
present exist.
26. At Cuttack the general health of the lunatics was satisfactory, and
only two deaths occurred, making the death-rate 4.07 per cent. against 12.93 in
the previous year.
27. Injuries, accidents, escapes.—At Dullunda there were a few trivial acci-
dents, but no less than four criminal lunatics escaped from this asylum during
the year—two in January and two in September, while only two of the four
were recaptured. The circumstances attending the escape in September were
thoroughly investigated by myself, and there can be no doubt it was due to a
laxity of discipline which was far from creditable to the asylum officials. At the
same time it must be admitted that the escape was rendered comparatively easy
by the lowness of a part of the enclosing wall, and I have directed the Superin-
tendent to obtain an estimate of the cost of raising it. At Dacca one lunatic
was injured by another, but not seriously. There was no escape. At Patna one
man attempted to commit suicide, and ultimately died of congestion of the
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