LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
23
Importance
of
post
mortem
examinations.
42. Dr. Wise's remarks regarding the causes why re-admissions are apparently fewer,
escapes apparently more numerous, and sickness apparently greater, are worthy of notice.
The practice of performing a port mortem examination in every fatal case is a most excel-
lent one, and more necessary in an asylum than in any other institution. I quite coincide
with his remarks on the comparison of English and Indian asylum statistics, but making due
allowances for differences, the comparison is still interesting and useful.
The Gheel system
proposed.
43. Dr. Wise advocates the Gheel system of boarding out lunatics. I recommend that
he may be permitted to make an experiment under the conditions that,—(1) the lunatics are
carefully selected ; (2) that their friends are not in a position to maintain them ; (3) they are
domiciled in a known place with a known person ; (4) that they are periodically visited
by a competent person, and (5) their treatment is carefully inquired into. Dr. Wise would
conduct the experiment better than any other medical officer whom I could name.
Purchase of cows.
44. The purchase of cows by the asylum is a most excellent measure, and as milk
is so important an article in the dieting of the insane, every asylum should keep its own
cattle.
Mechanical res-
traint.
45 It is satisfactory to note that mechanical restraint is not considered necessary in
this asylum.
Inspection.
46. Dr. Buckle inspected the institution on the 27th of September ; he pronounced
the inspection exceedingly satisfactory. " The greatest care is bestowed on the unfor-
tunate inmates, and increasing attention paid to their comfort and material well-being.
Improvements ac-
complished.
" The asylum was in perfect order. The grounds round the buildings are extensive, and
have been laid out partly as an ornamental and partly as a vegetable garden, giving an
appearance of cheerfulness to the institution, and removing all ideas connected with gloom
and restraint : the unfortunate immates appear to be placed in as favourable circumstances as
their state admits of. The wards are light and airy ; the ventilation good. The female ward
has been completed, consisting of a long range of buildings with verandahs, divided into
compartments for two patients each, and is separated from the rest of the asylum by a par-
tition wall. Several partition walls and old buildings have been removed, a masonry drain
made through the premises, and the grounds much improved by filling up holes, levelling,
and planting trees and shrubs. The ornamental garden has been turfed and laid out with
flower beds, and the vegetable garden more completely cultivated."
Desirable
alter-
ations.
Dr. Buckle alludes to other alterations which he considers desirable, namely, the con-
struction of a new entrance gate with porter's lodge, the raising of the wall, the construction
of two new wards for males similar to the recently completed female ward, and some
improvements to the hospital
The Patna Asylum.
General
sum-
mary.
STATEMENT No. 15.
YEAR.
1866 ... ... ...
1867 ... ... ...
1868 ... ... ...
1869 ... ... ...
1870 ... ... ...
Averages ... ...
1871 ... ... ...
Daily average number.
121
130
162
161
183
151
211.3
PER CENT OF AVERAGE STRENGTH.
Admitted.
36.3
59.2
64.1
65.83
46.99
54.48
40.7
Discharged.
Cured.
19.0
16.9
47.5
41.61
21.85
29.37
27.4
Improved.
9.0
1.5
3.7
11.18
1.09
5.29
1.4
Otherwise.
......
......
......
1.24
......
......
.47
Deaths.
26.4
12.31
3.70
13.6
9.83
13.17
5.7
Total discharged
and deaths.
54.4
32.3
56.1
67.70
32.78
48.65
35.02
47. Patna —Surgeon Simpson
submits an interesting report The
asylum population is steadily grow-
ing ; the recovery rate is high, and
the death-rate very low. The
sanitary state of the asylum has
been good throughout the year, and
its management very satisfactory.
Appointment
of
matron.
Increase of pay of
attendants.
4 Jemadars @ Rs. 12 per mensem.
15 Male attendants @ Rs. 6.
48. The appointment of Mrs. Nowlan as Matron has proved an excellent measure, and
both Overseer and Matron have given satisfaction during the year. The pay of attendants
was raised by Bengal Government letter No. 1510, dated
15th May 1871 and the establishment fixed as is shown
marginally.