LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
11
STATEMENT No. 13.
Admission-rate
...
...
...
...
...
Discharge-rate
...
...
...
...
...
Death-rate
...
...
...
...
...
Proportion of females to population
...
...
Criminal.
29.4
30.7
10.2
12.3
Non-criminal.
52.3
43.5
14.1
25.5
Contrast between
criminal and
non-criminal
lunatics.
The points in which the statistics of this class differ from those of the non-criminal
class are shewn in the
accompanying
statement,
which agrees with those of
former years in shewing a
lower death-rate and smaller
proportion of females, but
is anomalous in exhibiting
a higher discharge than
admission rate. Females
constituted only 16 per cent.
of the admissions of 1874.
DULLUNDA.
ASYLUM.
REMARKS ON THE SEVERAL ASYLUMS.
Superintendence.
26. Dullunda.—This asylum was through out the year under the superintendence of
Surgeon-Major A. J. Payne, M.D.
STATEMENT No. 14.
YEARS.
1869 ... ...
1870 ... ...
1871 ... ...
1872 ... ...
1873 ... ...
Average ...
1874 ... ...
Daily
average
strength.
279
309
335
354
369
329.2
351.95
Admitted.
178
63.8
184
59.5
176
52.5
219
61.9
204
55.3
192.2
58.6
204
57.9
DISCHARGED.
Cured.
76
27.2
89
28.8
92
27.4
70
19.8
138
37.4
93
28.1
105
29.8
Improved.
32
11.4
30
97
21
6.2
41
11.6
36
97
32
9.7
23
6.5
Other-
wise.
......
......
......
......
12
3.6
12
3.4
3
.81
5.4
1.56
98
*27.8
Deaths.
46
16.4
39
12.6
43
12.8
44
12.4
40
10.8
42.4
13
47
13.3
Total
discharges
and deaths.
154
55.1
158
51.1
168
49.9
167
47.2
217
58.8
172.8
52.4
273
77.5
NOTE.—The smaller figures are percentages of mean strength.
* 21.3 per cent. transferred to Berhampore.
Population.
Re-admissions.
27. The table on the margin shows the statistics of the year in relation to population
as compared with the five
preceding years. The mean
number of inmates was
high, but in consequence of
the transfer to Berhampore
of 70 non-criminal and 15
criminal lunatics (50 males
and 35 females) in the
months of August, Septem-
ber, and October, the
population of the asylum
was reduced; the average
strength for the first seven
months of the year being
375.6, and for the last five
319.08. The year opened
with a population of 364,
and closed with 295. The
overcrowded state of the
asylum, whose capacity is 293, was therefore quite relieved by the close of the year.
Experience has shewn, however, that this institution has a great tendency to grow.
Dr. Payne remarks that the residual population and admissions have both increased in past
years, and the former more steadily and rapidly than the latter. The re-admissions into this
asylum have arisen mainly from the recurrence of mania of intoxication.
Recoveries.
28. Both recoveries and transfers to relatives have been actually, and in relation to
population, below 1873. The recovery-rate of 1874 is, however, good; 32.5 being that of
the previous decade, and 28.1 of the previous quinquennium. As the residual population
increases, recovery-rates subside.
Death-rate.
29. The death-rate, which ought on this principle also to diminish, was rather
over the rate of the previous quinquennium. The rate for the decade 1864—73 was 19.1. On
this subject Dr. Payne has the following remarks:—
"The deaths exceeded by 7 the deaths of 1873. There were five cases of fatal cholera, from which the
previous year enjoyed entire exemption; and the deaths from phthisis also increased from five to eight.
The deaths from dysentery and diarrhœa still maintain a high proportion to the total of fatal cases, but do
not increase; and those from maniacal exhaustion, apart from physical disease, are again very few. Fatal
remittent fever has been rather more prevalent than usual."
Sickness.
30. No unusual sickness prevailed in the asylum, nor was the institution visited by
any epidemic.
Escapes.
31. Four escapes took place during the year.
Criminal lunatics.
32. Notwithstanding the removal of 15 criminal lunatics to Berhampore, Dr. Payne
reports that this class of lunatics "continues to be a source of much anxiety and difficulty
in the institution."
Requirements.
33. The superintendent reports that the dining-house is incomplete, and the bathing
arrangements of the female ward insufficient. Proposals to remedy the latter defects have
since the close of the year received the sanction of Government.
Bathing-water.
34. The arrangement by which the bathing-water tank is filled from Tolly's Nullah
is reported to have worked well, and no deficiency of water for bathing purposes now exists.
Industry
35.
Industry
continues to be one of the main features of the management of the insti-
tution. An average of 311 inmates was employed throughout the year out of a strength of 351.
Treatment of
insanity.
36. Dr. Payne has nothing new to report regarding the use of medicinal agents in the
treatment of insanity. Patients are still put in a woollen bag when they seem to the