LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
15
drawn in the foregoing remarks, amply proves that he possesses a lively sense of the import-
ance of the charge, and entertains a just appreciation of the scientific attractions of the
subject of mental alienation. I have forwarded a long extract from his report, which is too
special for insertion here, to the Editor of the Indian Medical Gazette for publication.
PATNA ASYLUM.
Superintendence.
57. Patna.—The Patna asylum was under the medical charge of Surgeon-Major
D. B. Smith, M.D., during the greater part of the year; Surgeon-Major B. Simpson, M.D., having
proceeded on furlough on the 16th of February and rejoined his appointment on the 15th of
November. The report for 1874 has been written by the latter officer.
Population.
STATEMENT No. 16.
YEAR.
1869 ...
...
...
1870
...
...
...
1871
...
...
...
1672
...
...
...
1873
...
...
...
Average ... ... ...
1874
...
...
...
Daily average
strength.
161
183
211
234
268.8
211.6
280.82
Admitted.
107
65.8
96
54.1
86
40.8
124
52.9
126
46.0
107.8
52.1
88
31.3
DISCHARGED
Cured.
67
41.6
40
21.8
58
27.5
54
23.1
65
24.2
56.8
27.4
38
13.5
Improved.
18
11.1
2
1.1
3
1.4
5
2.1
6
2.1
6.8
3.6
6
2.1
Otherwise.
2
1.2
......
......
1
.5
4
1.7
7
2.6
2.8
1.2
22*
7.8
Deaths.
22
13.6
18
9.8
12
5.7
16
6.8
27
10.05
19
9.19
34
12.1
Total discharge
and deaths.
109
67.5
60
32.7
74
35.1
79
33.7
105
39.06
85.4
41.61
100
35.6
NOTE.—The smaller figures are percentages of mean strength.
* 7.1 transferred to Berhampore.
58. The population of this asylum was larger in 1874 than ever it has been. The institu-
tion was, therefore, overcrowded.
The transfer of 20 females to
the Berhampore asylum reduced
the number from 278 to 266, the
sum of the inmates on the first
and last day of the year ; but as
the building was only constructed
to hold 79 males and 20 females,
and can now hold only 151 men
and 32 females, it follows that
great overcrowding prevails.
This is to some extent obviated
by making the insanes sleep in
the verandahs—an unsatisfactory
arrangement, which must be
discontinued as soon as possible.
Dr. Simpson considers the aban-
doned Deegha jail as very suit-
able for a lunatic asylum. This
proposal has, however, been under
the consideration of Government.
Admissions.
Beggars.
"Other castes."
59. The number of admissions was unusually small; seven of them were criminal
lunatics. Of the nine re-admissions, one was a female, cause of insanity unknown; the
remaining eight were males, all confirmed ganjah-smokers. Dr. Simpson remarks that two-
thirds of the females belonged to the beggar class. There was only one religious mendicant
under treatment; this man was an inveterate ganjah-smoker. He accounts for the paucity
of this class in asylums by the greater tolerance which the people manifest towards their
vagaries. He explains the large number of females registered under " other castes" by
stating that in many cases this is done because it is impossible to discover to what caste they
belong. The number of lunatics furnished by the several districts depends, he conceives, on
distance and comparative difficulty of transit.
Recoveries.
60. The recoveries were fewer than usual, both absolutely and in relation to strength.
No patients were transferred to the charge of their friends. Twenty females were sent to
the Berhampore asylum, and the two discharged " otherwise" were sent for trial.
Deaths.
61. The mortality has been higher than usual. The rate for the ten years 1864—73 is
10.3. This habitual death-rate of the Patna asylum is lower than that of Dullunda and
Dacca, whose death-rates for the same period were 19.1 and 17.
On the subject of the mortality of 1874, Dr. Simpson has the following remarks:—
" The number of deaths, 34, is large, and, judging from the daily average number of sick, which is also
excessive as compared with other years, the general health of the inmates would not appear to have been
very good. This may have been partly owing to the heavy floods during the past season, which rendered
the station generally sickly towards the drying up of the rains, but was doubtless also a consequence of
overcrowding. If the six deaths from cholera, and other two from accident, are excluded, the mortality
will not appear exceptionally high. Only six of the patients who died were in good health on admission;
and it is worthy of note that three of these died of cholera, whilst two more died from injuries. Twenty
deaths are recorded of patients during their first year of confinement, eight deaths under two years, and
the remaining six above that period. Eighteen, or more than one-half of the total number of deaths,
occurred in July and August.
"The two cases of accidental death were caused in the following manner:—
Accidental deaths.
"1st Case.—Ghumundee Dosadh, a non-criminal lunatic, after coming out of the privy, went up to a
mango-tree close by, and, laying hold of one of its lower branches, about seven feet from the ground, swung
himself over it, and then suspended himself by the feet, keeping both his arms folded; whilst in this posi-
tion, and before the keeper could lay hold of him, he fell heavily to the ground on the back of his neck.
Paralysis of both lower extremities immediately supervened, extending, after a short interval, to the upper
extremities also. He was at once removed to hospital, and died on 27th June, one month and 12 days after
his admission.
"2nd
Case.—Mohabeer, a criminal lunatic charged with theft, had been in a constant state of excitement,
accompanied by low fever, for some time prior to the accident. The hospital being at the time rather
crowded he was treated outside. On the morning of 15th October, as the jemadar was conducting him to
the privy, he suddenly jumped up and fell on his back. As he appeared to have suffered from the fall, the
keeper suggested his easing himself where he was, so as to avoid the exertion of walking. He, however, got
up and proceeded a few paces, again jumped into the air shouting, and fell a second time. He was
immediately removed to the hospital, where he died after the lapse of about 20 minutes from rupture of
the spleen."