10
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
Number of death
compared with
past years.
Death-rates.
ASYLUMS.
Dullunda ...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Moydapore ...
All asylums ...
Males ...
Females ...
DEATHS PER CENT. OF
Strength.
10.8
19.2
10.05
2.03
6.7
12
11.7
13.1
Treated.
6.8
13.1
7.05
1.5
4.1
8
7.8
8.6
Admissions.
19.6
37
21.4
6.2
9.8
23.1
23.1
23.3
23. Mortality.—One hundred and nineteen deaths took place in asylums during
1873, being three in excess of 1872, 11 in excess
of average of the previous five years, and 14
in excess of that of the preceding 10. The death-
rates of the several asylums of the province are
shown marginally. Though the actual number of
casualties exceeds, as has been shown above, that of
previous years, the death-rate is lower owing to
the increase of population, the percentage of mean
population being .8 less than in 1872, 1.9 less
than the average of the previous five years, and 3.5
less than that of the previous 10. Dacca has the
highest mortality, Dullunda comes next, Patna is
slightly lower, and Moydapore and Cuttack show
very favorable rates. The diseases to which mor-
tality was due will be discussed in a future
paragraph, and the causes which appear to have
operated unfavorably in the case of the Dacca asylum, which again presents an exceptionally
high rate, considered in treating specially of that institution. The death-rates of the other
Death-rates of
other asylums of
the Presidency.
ASYLUMS.
N. W. Provinces
Central Provinces
Oudh ...
Punjab ...
British Burmah...
Agra
...
...
...
...
Benares
...
...
...
...
Bareilly ... ... ... ...
Nagpore
...
...
...
...
Jubbulpore ... ... ... ...
Lucknow
...
...
...
...
Delhi
...
...
...
...
Lahore
...
...
...
...
Rangoon ... ... ... ...
Total ...
Daily average
strength.
81.6
123.2
295.1
109.5
122.9
136.3
45. 6
237.9
129
1,281.1
Deaths.
9
16
30
9
17
22
8
53
11
175
Percentage of deaths
to strength.
11.03
12.98
10.16
8.22
13.83
1614
17.54
22.27
85.27
13.66
asylums of the Presidency are shown in the adjoining statement, from which it appears that
the asylums of Bengal continue to maintain a more favorable rate.
Deaths according
to season.
24. The greatest number of deaths took place in the months of August, October,
November, and May. In the first quarter of the year there were 20 deaths, in the second
26, in the third 37, and in the fourth 26. There were 46 deaths in the first half of the
year, against 73 in the last. There was, therefore, a decided excess of deaths in the rainy
and cold months. In this respect the returns resemble those of the preceding year.
According to sex
25. Contrary to the experience of the previous two years, the death-rates among female
lunatics were more numerous than among males. The experience of the previous ten years
would go to show that this has been the general rule. The rates of these years, reckoned on
total treated, being males 9.5 and females 11.9, and on admissions 27.6 and 30.9. The
rates on mean population are not available.
According to age.
26. The largest number of deaths took place in persons aged between 30 and 40 ; but
the highest death-rates (on total treated) were in the three highest decades shown in state-
ment No. 5—the fatality of insanity, as of other morbid conditions, increasing with age.
According to
duration of
residence.
27. Of the 119 deaths 33, or 27.7 per cent., took place under three months' residence;
49, or 41.2 per cent., under six months; 74, or 62.3, under one year; and 101, or 84.8, under
five years. The proportions for 1872 were 20.7, 34.5, 44, and 88.7; and for 1871, 20.8, 31.6,
50.5, and 85.2. The number of deaths of short residents was therefore larger in 1873 than in
these years. It also appears that the death-rates per cent. of average number living were
higher in first-year residents than in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th; the numbers being 28.2,6.3, 5.3,
6.9, and 9.4. The corresponding numbers in 1872 were 22.3, 20.8, 9.5,15.5, and 5.8. In
both years the death-rates of the earlier months and quarters of residence are exceptionally
high, the rate of the first quarter exceeding that of the other three. It will be observed on
comparing the results for different asylums, as shown in statement No. 7 a, that the Dacca
asylum shows not only a higher death-rate on the whole, but a much higher death-rate
among short residents than other asylums. Dr. Wise draws from this circumstance an
inference unfavorable to the salubrity of the asylum, and I am inclined to agree with him.
The mean duration of residence of fatal cases was, as might be expected, comparatively
low in Dacca as compared with other asylums (vide statement No. 7).
Events according
to duration of
residence.
27. Statements Nos. 7 and 7a show the events of the year according to duration of
residence. The recoveries and deaths have been already discussed in this light, and it remains
only to offer some remarks on the population of asylums in this aspect. Generally the mean