( 2 )
Admitted
...
...
Discharged
...
...
Died
...
...
1875.
418
218
127
1874.
601
290
140
against 1,334 in the previous year. The daily average number of insanes under
restraint was similarly 1126.4 against 1050.86 in the previous year, and 906.6
on an average of the five years preceding.
As compared with the previous year, the number
of admissions, discharges, and deaths were as
shewn in the margin. On the last day of 1875
there were 906 males and 241 females in confinement, against 833 males and
241 females at the close of the previous year. Since 1868 there has been a
steady and progressive increase in the asylum population remaining at the
close of each year. The total increase of 73 in the number of insanes under
treatment at the close of 1875, as shewn above, is somewhat in excess of the
average annual increment which, as noticed by the Surgeon-General, has
amounted to 62.5 during the past eight years. No explanation can be given of
the fluctuations which are observable in the figures of the several years.
6. Taking the asylums separately, the general results of the past year
may be summarised thus—
Asylums.
Dullunda ... ... ... ...
Dacca
...
...
...
...
Patna ... ... ... ...
Cuttack
...
...
...
...
Moydapore ... ... ... ...
Berhampore
...
...
...
...
Total
treated.
469
353
360
84
73
253
Cured.
83
14
34
8
7
9
Transferred to
friends.
22
5
5
11
1
2
Died.
49
39
16
2
6
15
Daily average
strength.
309.69
249.55
251.93
62.16
65.18
187.93
Daily average
sick.
11.5
41.4
21.77
1.65
3.19
4.94
From the above figures a considerable reduction in the "total number
treated," and in the " daily average strength " which is observable on a compari-
son with the figures of the previous year as regards the Dullunda, Dacca,
Patna, and Moydapore Asylums, is due to transfers to the new asylum at
Berhampore, the opening of which was noticed in last year's report.
7. Of the total number of insanes under treatment in the Bengal asylums
during the year under review, 10.4 per cent. were discharged cured, and 3.1 per
cent. were so far improved as to admit of their transfer to their friends. The
corresponding ratios for the previous year were 13.89 per cent. cured, and 3.4 per
cent. improved. The large decrease in the proportion of cures effected is to be
lamented; but, considering the gradual accumulation of chronic incurables in
the asylums, much improvement in this respect is not to be looked for.
8. As has been found to be the case in previous years, the most common
physical causes of insanity were, firstly, excessive indulgence in ganja and
bhang; secondly, habits of intemperance; thirdly, hereditary predisposition;
and fourthly, epilepsy, &c. From a table given in the 23rd paragraph of the
report, it appears that, as regards insanes under treatment at the close of the
year, 72.8 per cent. were cases of chronic mania and chronic dementia, while,
as regards admissions during the year, 43 per cent. of the cases were of the
same type.
9. Of the admissions and re-admissions, 79.66 per cent. were males and
20.33 per cent. females. As regards caste, it is shewn that 70.33 per cent. were
Hindoos, 25.11 per cent. Mahomedans, 2.15 per cent. Christians, and 2.39 per
cent. other castes. The age at which insane persons were most frequently
brought under the care of the Asylum authorities was between 20 and 40. The
occupation of the insanes prior to admission calls for no special remark. It
is reported, however, that they were drawn from the most impoverished and
necessitous classes of the community. As regards cases of re-admission, it is noted
that at Dullunda and Patna they were chiefly due to habits of intemperance.