LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
9
Comparison with
previous years.
or transferred to the care of friends; 21, or 4.3 per cent., were discharged "otherwise;" and
119, or 24.6 per cent., died. The corresponding percentages rendered by the averages of
the previous ten years are 52.6, 14.7, 2.5, and 30.2. The larger proportion of recoveries and
smaller proportion of deaths are very satisfactory. The larger number of cases discharged
otherwise, mostly escapes, in the figures of recent years, is owing to these having been
formerly included among the recoveries. As a matter of fact, the majority of lunatics who
succeed in effecting their escape have recovered their reason; but the present practice of
including such cases among those discharged "otherwise" is undoubtedly the correct one.
Discharges do not appear to have been specially numerous in any particular season.
Recoveries
compared with
previous years.
Recovery-rates.
According to sex
and age.
ASYLUMS.
Dullunda
...
...
...
...
Dacca
...
...
...
...
Patna ... ... ... ... ...
Cuttack
...
...
...
...
...
Moydapore ... ... ... ... ... ...
All asylums
...
...
...
...
Males
...
...
...
...
...
Females
...
...
...
...
PER CENT. OF
Average strength.
Recovered.
37.4
18.8
24.2
22.3
30.1
28.04
27.2
30.8
Improved.
Total.
9.7
4.9
2.2
...
13.4
6.25
6.8
4.2
47.1
23.7
26.4
22.3
43.5
34.29
34
35
Total treated.
Recovered.
23.7
12.8
116.9
16.9
18.5
18.8
18.2
20.2
improved.
6.2
3.3
1.6
...
8.2
4.2
4.6
2.8
Total.
29.9
16.1
18.5
16.9
26.7
23
22.8
23
Admissions.
Recovered.
62.7
36.2
51.6
68.8
44
54.1
53.8
55
Improved.
Total.
17.6
9.4
4.8
...
19.5
12.0
13.2
7.5
80.3
45.6
56.4
68.8
63.5
66.1
67
62.5
19. Recoveries.—The number of recoveries was larger than in 1872,—278 against
178; a difference of 100.
The average of the preced-
ing five years was exceeded
by 84, and of the preceding
ten years by 95. In the
table on the margin the
ratios which recoveries
bore to the numbers
admitted, treated, and
resident are shown for
each asylum, and for all
asylums. The asylums
take the following order
of merit when the ratios
of recoveries are calculated
on average strength. Dul-
lunda, Moydapore, Patna,
Dacca, and Cuttack. The
rates of the year compare
favorably with those of
previous years, and are
markedly above those of
1872. Females again show
better recovery-rates than
males, but the number of males discharged improved was larger. The greatest propor-
tion of recoveries took place in persons of between 10 and 20 years ; but while the high ratio
of cures in this period is due to the large proportion of males who recovered, it will be
observed that most females, in relation to the number treated, recovered between the
ages of 30 to 40 and 40 to 50. The figures of 1872 present a similar peculiarity.
Females would therefore seem to have a better chance of recovery in advanced life than
males.
Recoveries
according to
duration of
residence.
20. Of the total number of recoveries, 22.3 per cent. took place under three months; 48.6
under six months; 77.4 under one year, and 96.7 under five years. The figures of 1872 were, 21.3,
46, 59.5, and 97; and of 1871, 24.5, 45.5, 80, and 98. The results do not therefore vary much
from year to year; about one-fifth of the cures being effected in less than three months, one-
half under six months, and three-fourths under a year. Only two per cent. or so take place after
a residence of five years. Not only did the majority of recoveries take place after short periods
of residence, but, as compared with the average numbers resident during the year within these
periods, the recovery-rates of shorter residents were, as statement No. 7a shows, much more
favorable than of long residents. Among those resident under one year, 81.9 recovered; over
one and under two, 20.4; over two and under three, 10.6 ; three to four, 4.2, and four to five,
3.7. The corresponding figures for 1872 were 46.4, 23.9, 16.2, 18.1, and 9.7. It appears
therefore that the higher recovery-rates of 1873 are dependent on higher recovery-rates
among short residents. This goes to support the well-known fact that insanity is more
curable in its early stages, and that the chance of cure diminishes with the duration of
the disease.
Lunatics
discharged
improved.
21. The number of lunatics discharged improved and transferred to the care of
friends was about the average of past years ; of persons so disposed of, 39.5 per cent. had
resided in asylums less than three months, 52.3 less than six months, 75.6 less than a year,
and 90.7 less than five years. These figures tell the same tale as those relating to recoveries,
and the ratios shown in statement No. 7a present a similar relation to each other.
Escapes.
22. The number of escapes amounted only to seven, against 13 in 1872. Fourteen
patients were either transferred to other asylums or sent to stand their trial.
B