REPORT ON THE TEZPUR LUNATIC ASYLUM.
9
The percentages of admissions and deaths of a\
)!•(>
lurim 1877 were as follows:—
^crage strength during the nine months ofli
Male.
2'.)4!)
241-3
Admissions.
^
N
,
Female.
Total.
Male.
210-7
272-7
I'.l-i;
78-G
228-1
3 f J-5
Deaths.
Female.
42-1
2G-2
Total.
25-8
3G-6
76 and
3
8
10
15
1870.
(!) months.)
1877
37
20
5 1
9
«.) V21
2
7j
13
4
7
1
5
1
3
24
187G (nine months) ...
1877
This shows the sickness to have been far greater in 187G than in 1877; for, although the three
months wanting from 1876 are the healthiest of the year, a certain amount would have to be added
to the sick rate of 1876, to enable it to be compared with that of 1877, and this would make it still
hio-her than it is. The diminished sickness in 1877 was to be expected, for the year generally was
comparatively a healthy one, as shown by the sick returns of the jail and dispensary.
40. The number of individuals who went to make up the sick-list was 38, and of these—
were admitted 5 times
2
ditto
4
ditto
3
ditto
2
ditto
1
41. The chief classes of disease were, in the two years, as under:—
Diseases.
1 (j\ Lib
...
...
...
...
...
...
Dysentery ...
Diarrhoea
Other bowel-complaints
Debility
Amemia
Lung diseases
It must be remembered that the average as well as the total population was higher in 1877 than in
1876, so that the proportional admissions are less in the former than in the latter year. The most
^-marked decrease; is in the cases of fever, 37 having been admitted during the nine months of 1870",
against 20 in 1877, and this coincides with general experience of other institutions and classes.
Dysentery was far more prevalent in 1877 than in 187b*. This I lay entirely to local causes
peculiar to the Asylum, viz., its dampness and the faulty construction of the huts. The water-supply
might bo accused, and I have no doubt that in the town bad water is a large factor in causing the
prevalence of dysentery ; but the water in the Asylum wells is very good, and when this failed the supply
was brought from the river, from which source also the prisoners obtained theirs, without any increased
prevalence of dysentery. Diarrhoea was less frequent in 1877, whilst other bowel-complaints, as colic
dyspepsia, &c, were more frequent.
42. Mortality.—The mortality in both years was very excessive, viz., 25*8 per cent, of average
population for nine months of 187(5, which, on a rough calculation, would give for the full year about
34 per cent., and 36'G percent, for 1877. Thus, the mortality was higher in 1877 than in 187G under
all circumstances.
The deaths occurred amongst the patients as follows:—
Remaining from 1876
47,
deaths
12
Admitted 1877
24,
„
1
From this, one would judge that there was something local which acted on the health of the
inmates in an unfavourable manner, that is, that those who had been resident in the Asylum during the
latter months of 187G, which w r ere very unhealthy, were left in such a condition that they w r ere unable
to withstand seasonal and other diseases acquired in 1877. And of this there can be no doubt, as, on
|juy assuming charge, 1 found most of the inmates amende to a greater or less degree.
43. State o/ health on admission, and its influence on mortality.—The result shown for 187G
are as follows :—-.
Admitted
43
14
7
Died.
3
4
2
Grand Tot
Per cent, of
deaths.
6*9
Bad
98-5
9 8'5
The results for 1877 are as under :—
Remaining from 1870.
Admitted, 1877.
al.
Good and lair health ...
Total.
32
Died. Per cent.
7
21-8
3
30-
2
40-
Total.
Died. Per cent.
15
7
1
14-2
2
Total.
47
17
7
Died.
7
4
2
Per eel it.
12*8
Bad health
10
23 5
5
28-5
Thus, whilst the proportion of deaths amongst epileptics remains the same for both years, the
deaths amongst those in good health on admission, high even (6*9 per mille) in 187G, was nearly twice
as great in 1877, when we take the entire population of the year; whilst nearly a quarter of those
Mmitted in good health and remaining from 1876 died during the year 1877. The deaths amomrst
mose admitted in bad health, and remaining from 187G, were greater in 1877 than in the former year.
44. Mortality by months :—
May
...
...
2
June
...
...
1
July
...
...
3
January
February
Maroh
April
August
September
October
November
December
1
2
1
1
The first four and healthiest months passed without a death, ascribable to conditions inherent to
. e Asylum, as the one death in April was of an individual suffering from dementia, and admitted
111 it hopeless state: emaciated in the extreme, ami Buffering from diarrhuea, it was astonishing that he
uver lived to reach the Asylum, or survived so long as he did.