16
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
during the cold and rainy months, as both may be attended by disastrous results. The
Deputy Surgeon-General (Dr. Bow) writes as follows:—" Regarding the comparatively large
mortality among the female prisoners, is it possible that what is considered superior accommo-
dation can have anything to do with it ? The cells they occupy are large and lofty
*20 × 6 and 15½ feet high; ventilation consists of 8 feet high iron open work doors at each end,
and roof apertures. In the winter and during part of the rains these cells must be very
cold, as the doorways have only tât purdahs to keep out the wind."
Deaths after
admission.
111. No patients died immediately after admission into this asylum.
Residual
population.
112. The population "remaining" on the 31st December 1875 was 237 persons (males
193, females 44). This was 32 (males 25, females 7) less than at the end of 1874, and was
slightly above the average of the preceding five years, which was 231 (males 186, females 45).
Criminal lunatics.
113. On the 1st January 1875 the population of criminal lunatics in the asylum was
73 (males 60, females 13). This number was considerably in excess of the number of this
class remaining on the 1st of January 1874, or of any one year of the preceding decennial
period.
Admitted.
114. During the year 23 (males 21, females 2) criminal lunatics were admitted, and one
male was re-admitted, giving a total population of this class of 97 (males 82, females 15)
a number which was considerably in excess of that of any year of the preceding decennial
period.
Transferred, &c.
Of these, 13 males were transferred to the Berhampore Asylum, 3 (males 2, female 1)
escaped, 1 was transferred to the non-criminal list, 2 were transferred for trial, 1 was
discharged cured, and 1 was remanded to jail.
Died.
115. Eight (males 6, females 2) criminal lunatics died, or at the rate per cent of 10.61
males and 14.54 females to average strength of each sex.
Remaining.
116. At the end of the year 68 (males 56, females 12) of this class were " remaining"
in the asylum.
Daily average
strength in excess
of former years.
117. The daily average strength of criminal lunatics was 70.28 (males 56.53, females
13.75), and was considerably in excess of the average of the preceding ten years.
Not any assaults.
Suicide.
118. It is very satisfactory to observe that with such a large criminal population
(28.16 per cent. of the mean strength) no assaults are reported as having taken place during
the year. One man hanged himself, and after a careful investigation of the circumstance
it was decided that no blame could be reasonably attached to any one of the asylum
establishment.
Residence previous
to admission.
119. Of the 84 patients admitted, 66 came from different districts in Eastern Bengal; and
of these; 37 came from the Dacca district. Eighteen patients only were admitted from the Assam
districts, and this number shows a very considerable decrease in the admissions from that
province in 1874.
Type of insanity.
120. Of the types of insanity, chronic mania gave the largest proportion (29.74 per
cent.) of the total cases treated; melancholia ranked next (25.21 per cent.); then acute mania
(24.92 per cent.) and chronic dementia (18.41 per cent.)
Patients suddenly
became dangerous.
121. Several instances occurred of patients suddenly becoming intractable and dangerous
who for long periods previously had been quite quiet and harmless. The Superintendent
justly remarks that these are the most important cases in the asylum, and require to be
very carefully watched.
122. Dr. Smith again furnishes some very interesting examples of delusional insanity
met with during 1875, but to attempt to reproduce them in full would tend to lengthen this
report beyond its proper limits.
Caste of patients.
123. Of the 84 patients admitted, 47 (males 38, females 9), or 55.95 per cent., were
Hindoos; 36 (males 34, females 2), or 42.85 per cent., were Mahomedans, and one Christian
(female), or at the rate of 1.19 per cent. of total admissions.
Occupation of the
patients.
124. The industrial occupation of the inmates has been much the same as during former
years, and an average number of 159 males and 41 females was employed on work of some
kind or other during the year.
Confinement.
125. It was found necessary to confine 41 patients; of these 32 were confined when
under excitement, 9 for mischief or for quarrelling, and 3 or 4 men, who are very violent and
dangerous, require continued seclusion. Two females, who became unmanageable and
destructive, required to be restrained by canvas being folded round their arms and waists.
This was applied very carefully, and the patients were closely watched while the canvas
was kept on.
The " Gheel"
system.
126. The " Gheel" system of boarding out patients is reported not to have made any
progress. People, as might be expected, do not care to accept the responsibility connected
with the care of these insanes, harmless though they may be, as they are constantly running
away and giving trouble. Of six men boarded out in 1875, one returned very ill to the
asylum, where he died in hospital, and three others were sent back on account of being
troublesome. Four fresh patients were sent out, so that six are out at present, and Rs. 5 per
mensem is paid for each of them.
* 1,860 cubic feet.