LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
13
Discharges.
22. Discharges.—The number of lunatics discharged from asylums under all circum-
stances exceeded the average of the previous five years by 26, but bore a smaller ratio to
strength. Of the 380 discharged, 178 left the asylum cured, or 46.8 per cent.; 65 improved,
or 17.1 per cent.; 21 under other circumstances, or 5.5 per cent.; and 116 died, or 30.5 per cent.
The corresponding per centages last year were 56.2,10.7,4.8, and 28. Excluding deaths,it appears
from the statement at paragraph 12 that fewer discharges took place during the six months, April
to September, than in the remaining six months. The difference is not very great however.
Recoveries.
Recovery rates.
Recoveries accord-
ing to sex ;
ASYLUMS.
Dullunda ...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Moydapore ...
All asylums ...
PER CENT. OF
Average strength.
Recovered.
19.7
17.4
23.
9.7
25.1
19.7
Improved.
11.5
6.4
2.1
1.9
9.1
7.4
Total.
31.2
23.8
25.1
11.6
34.2
27.1
Total treated.
Recovered.
12.9
11.6
16.1
7.2
14.8
13.2
Improved.
7.4
4.2
1.5
1.4
5.4
4.2
Total.
20.3
15.8
17.6
8.6
20.2
17.4
Admissions.
Recovered.
31.9
30.4
43.5
35.7
25.6
33.9
Improved.
18.2
11.2
4.
7.01
9.3
12.7
Total.
50.1
41.6
47.5
42.7
34.9
46.6
23. Recoveries.—The recoveries were fewer than in 1871—178 against 200. There was
also a decrease of 10.4
as compared with the aver-
age of the five previous
years. The rates to popu-
lation, total treated, and
admissions, were very much
below those of the preced-
ing year, or any of the
past five years. The detail-
ed percentages of the several
asylums are shown margi-
nally. Recoveries among female patients have again exceeded those of male patients; the ratios
being, on daily average strength, males 19.4, females 20 9; and on admissions, males 32.2, and
females 41.4. The greatest number of cures again took place between the ages of 20 and 30. according to age;
according
to
length of residence.
23. From statement No. 7, it appears that of the whole number discharged cured, 21.3
per cent. left the asylum under three months' residence; 46 per cent. under six months; 59.5 per
cent. under a year; and 97 per cent. under five years. The corresponding numbers last year
were 24.5, 45.5, 80, and 98. From statement No. 7a, it appears that patients recover in larger
numbers during the first year of their stay in asylums than in any subsequent year; the
probability of recovery gradually getting smaller. The chance of recovery seems best in the
second quarter of the first year. The ratios of early recoveries were better in 1871. The
evidence, above adduced, would seem to indicate that 1872 was not only a favorable year for
production of insanity, but also an unfavorable one for its cure.
Patients dis-
charged improved.
24. The number of patients discharged improved was considerably above the average,
and the ratios to population were also above those of past years. It is difficult to account for
this result, unless the crowded state of asylums acted as a stimulus to negotiations with
patients' friends. Perhaps, also, the order alluded to by Dr. Simpson, directing magistrates
to be more careful in recovering the cost of maintenance of lunatics, has induced the
friends of patients to apply for their custody rather than pay for maintenance in asylums.
Escapes.
25. Of the 19 patients discharged otherwise, 13 were escapes, and 6 transfers. The
number of escapes from Dullunda continues rather large ; but the number from the Dacca
Asylum has been reduced. Four escapes took place from the Patna Asylum.
Number
of
deaths.
Deaths from cho-
lera.
Death-rates.
ASYLUMS.
Cuttack ... ...
Dacca ... ...
Dullunda ... ...
Patna ... ...
Moydapore ... ...
All asylums ...
DEATH—PERCENT. OF
Daily average
strength.
25.6
18.4
12.4
6.8
6.8
12.8
Total
treated.
18.84
12.16
8.09
4.76
4.05
8.6
Admissions.
92.85
32.
20.09
12.90
6.97
22.1
26. Mortality.—The number of deaths in 1872 exceeded that of any of the five previous
years. The excess amounted to 15
over 1871, and 9.8 over the average of
the five preceding years. This result
was not due to cholera, from which
only 4 deaths occurred—3 less than
in 1871, and 6.4 less than the average
of the past five years. The ratios
which the deaths hold to strength,
and numbers admitted and treated,
are smaller however. The death-rate on daily average strength was 12.8 against 12.1 in 1871,
and 14.7, the average of the five previous years. The ratio per cent. of treated was 8.6 against
8.5 and 9.7 and of admissions 22.1 against 25.2 and 26.2. The death-rates of the several
asylums are shown marginally. The Cuttack Asylum exhibits a very high rate of mortality.