CUTTACK LUNATIC ASYLUM.
63
the insanity commences with acute or active symptoms except in very exceptional cases, as in
acute ganja or dhatura madness, or after some very severe mental shock; and even the latter
will seldom derange a healthy brain. In most cases of insanity the disease commences by
gradually insidious steps, and is chronic, one may say, for a long time before it becomes acute.
If we could only get the patients under treatment in the early chronic stage of perverted
sense, before the acute symptoms are developed, the disease would in all probability be much
more amenable to treatment. The most marked cases of chronic mania are liable to acute
paroxysms. In most cases after a time, when recovery does not take place, a condition of
dementia supervenes; but in this, again, patients are liable to attacks of mania with excite-
ment—of acute mania in fact, so that the classification of the patients at any particular time
can only be considered as a very temporary representation of their conditions.
Alleged causes of
insanity.
16. Table XIII—I fear that not much reliance can be placed on the alleged causes of
insanity. Of the 16 admissions, in 11 ganja is set down as the cause, in one epilepsy, and
in four it is unknown. It is difficult to ascertain if ganja was the actual cause in so many
cases; but this drug, whether the dry flower tops of the plant are smoked, or whether leaves
(of the same plant) are drunk or eaten, does undoubtedly give rise to symptoms of insanity.
A single over-dose will, in one unaccustomed to its use, excite an attack of insanity which
will last for several weeks, and it is highly probable that its continued use may in time induce
permanent mental disease. Of the 11 admissions in whom the disease was attributed to
ganja, three were cured during the year.
Finances.
17. Table XVIII—The total annual expenditure has been Rs. 256, less than in 1872.
The cost of establishment is greater, because the additional warder and sweeper, before
charged in contingencies, were this year, in the month of May, sanctioned as part of the
establishment.
The yearly cost of dieting per man was Rs. 27-11-8, against 31-8-7 in 1872, although
for the last three months of the year an early meal of one chittack atta and a little ghee and
salt was given to each lunatic.
Gram was generally cheaper than in 1872. There was also much less sickness, and much
less extra diet was required.
The total cost per man, Rs. 100-10-5, was very little, only ten annas eight pie, below that
of last year. The daily average strength was two lower than in 1872, and this of course
increases the rate for establishment and other fixed charges. In the Surgeon-General's report
on asylums for 1872, it is stated that the cost of the establishment at Cuttack is much higher
than at Moydapore, the other small asylum. The reason of the apparent excess, however, is
that in table XVIII of the Cuttack asylum, the superintendent's pay of Rs. 1,800 is
included, whereas in the same table for Moydapore this is omitted. If this be included in
both, the cost of establishment per man of Moydapore is slightly higher than at Cuttack, as
is to be expected, the latter being rather the larger asylum.
Lunatic labor.
18. Tables XIX to XXI.—Labor of some kind, and suited to the capacity or condition
of each individual, is the chief means employed in the treatment of the mental condition of
lunatics, and the majority of them are found, with a little careful management, to work really
steadily and well. There is no doubt that constant occupation has a most beneficial effect
in nearly all forms of insanity, and it specially tends to produce cheerfulness and mental
quietude. Of course there are always some of the insanes, such as violent maniacs, confirmed
melancholics, or those in an advanced stage of dementia, who will not, or cannot, work; but
out of the daily strength of 49.2, there was 35.8, or 73 per cent., pretty constantly at work.
The labor consisted of gardening, twine and rope-making, cotton-spinning for the women,
cloth and gunny-weaving, and tailoring.
Industrial profits.
The financial results show that real work was done, though the lunatics were never pressed
or harassed on this account; and the work is carried on solely as a means of treatment, and
not for profits.
The value of articles in store on January 1st was ... ... ... ...
The amount expended for raw materials ... ... ... ... ...
Total
...
...
The amount realized by sales ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
And the balance of articles in store at the end of the year ... ... ...
Total ... ...
Showing a real profit of ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Rs.
53
185
239
271
161
432
193
A.
12
8
4
0
15
15
11
P.
0
0
0
5
0
5
5
New system of
accounts
introduced.
19. On July 1st the new system of accounts was introduced, and from that date all
money received has been paid into the treasury, and all money expended has been drawn from
the treasury.
The asylum compounder has been appointed as clerk and accountant on an additional
Rs. 10 per month to his previous pay. The darogah, not knowing English, could not of
course undertake the duty of clerk.