NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
2
total deaths during this year numbered 52 (46 males and 6 females). The
corresponding figures for 1925 and 1924 were respectively 115 (105 males and
10 females) and 117 (96 males and 21 females) for " cured ", 42 (35 males and
7 females) and 16 (11 males and 5 females) for "improved", 6 and 1 (all
males) for "not improved" and 73 (61 males and 12 females) and 60
(48 males and 12 females) for death. The daily average strength and daily
average sick were 1350.66 (1146.87 males and 203.79 females) and 54.10
(46.86 males and 7.24 females) respectively in 1926 as compared with 1265.03
(1074.63 males and 190.40 females) and 120.28 (98.11 males and 22.17 females)
in 1924.
5. The total accommodation at present available in the Kanke Indian
Mental Hospital is for 1,286 patients only (1,014 males and 272 females) while
the maximum number of patients resident in the hospital on any one night
in 1926 was 1,391 (1,172 males and 219 females). The above figures indicate
considerable overcrowding in the male section. The question of providing
additional accommodation is under consideration. The schemes for constructing
new buildings for this purpose are being examined and the work will, it is
hoped, be carried out quickly so soon as Government sanction is obtained and
funds provided. Many of the other recommendations contained in the Super-
intendent's report, which fully deals with the present situation of the Kanke
Indian Mental Hospital, are also under the consideration of Government.
6. I wish to pay a tribute to the work of Captain Dhunjibhoy and his
whole staff. In a new institution of this kind many difficulties arise.
These have been tackled not only with ability but also by real hard labour
and this labour has fallen chiefly on the Superintendent and his office staff and
also on the staff of the Stores Department. The work of Dr. Joytirmoy Ray
and the medical staff has also been very satisfactory.
I have the honour to be
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
W. S. WILLMORE,
M.D., M.R.C.P., COL., I.M S.,
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals,
Bihar and Orissa.
REPORT
ON THE WORKING OF THE
RANCHI INDIAN MENTAL HOSPITAL, KANKE
FOR THE YEAR
1926.
1. Administration.—During the year under report I held charge of the
hospital from the 1st January 1926 to the 17th May 1926 when I made over
charge to Dr. J. Roy, 1st Assistant Superintendent and proceeded on 45
days' leave. On my return from leave on 1st July 1926 I took over charge
and continued till the close of the year under report.
2. Provinces served.—This hospital is intended for the mental patients of
the provinces of Bengal and Bihar and Orissa. The mental hospitals at
Berhampore, Dacca and Patna were abolished and the patients of these
hospitals were transferred to this hospital during the previous year except
a batch of 83 patients (46 males and 37 females) from Dacca Mental Hospital.
This last batch of patients was transferred to this hospital on the 8th January
1926.
3. Accommodation.—The total accommodation of this hospital, according
to the figures supplied by the ;Public Works Department including the two
infirmaries of both the sections is as follows :—
Males
...
...
...
...
...
Females
...
...
...
...
...
Total ...
1,014
272
1,286
Of this three-fourths are reserved for Bengal and one-fourth for Bihar and
Orissa.
4. Patients.—The maximum number resident in the hospital on any one
night was 1,172 males and 219 females, total 1,391.
5. The number of patients resident in the hospital at the beginning of the
year under report was 1,100 males and 159 females, total 1,259.
6. Total admissions.—Total new admissions recorded during the year
under report were 170 males and 42 females, total 212, excluding 83 patients
(46 males and 37 females) received on transfer from Dacca Mental Hospital
on the 8th January 1926 on its final abolition.
7. Re-admissions.—Total re-admissions during the year under report were
10 (7 males and 3 females).
8. Cases under observation.—There were 5 patients under brief periods
of observation in this hospital during the year under review of which 4 were
ultimately certified and admitted into the hospital and one case, although
certified, was released under section 14 of the Indian Lunacy Act, 1912, by the
Committing Magistrate.
9. Total population.—1,564 patients (1,323 males and 241 females) were
treated in the hospital during the year under report.
10. Daily average strength.—The daily average strength of the hospital-
was 1350.66 (1146.87 males and 203.79 females).
11. Ratio per cent. of cures.—Ratio per cent of cures to the total admis-
sions during the year under report, was 7.41 males and 5.06 females, total
6.78 and the ratio per cent. of cures to the daily average strength was 8.54
males and 7.36 females, total 8.36.
2
I am of opinion that this number would have been larger, had there
existed proper nursing arrangements and adequate medical staff. The sanc-
tioned medical staff is small in proportion to the large population and
consequently it is not possible to accord individual treatment. At present each
Sub-Assistant Surgeon in the male section has nearly 400 patients under his
charge and each Assistant Surgeon has 700 patients under his charge. The
above figures indicate that it is next to impossible for the medical officer to
attend to every individual case. This was pointed out at the informal
conference which met on the 20th July 1926. The conference recommended
the entertainment of male nurses and the increased medical staff and it is
desirable that the male nurses and the increased medical staff should
be sanctioned as early as possible.
In addition a large number of newly admitted patients was found to be
suffering from chronic mental diseases as they were kept at home without any
treatment and admitted to the hospital when they became unmanageable
or proved dangerous to themselves or others. Mental disease is as curable in
its early stage as bodily disease, and incurable like other general disease in its
chronic stage. The root of the evil is I believe the fancied stigma and
disgrace attached to the mental hospitals.
Mental cases requiring treatment should be sent to the hospital as early
as possible. The earlier the admission, the better the chances of cure.
12. Percentage of deaths.—The percentage of deaths to daily strength
was 4.01 males and 2.89 females, an average of 3.85. The percentage of
deaths to total admissions during the year under report was 2.31 males and
2.53 females, an average of 2.37.
13. Causes of death.—The following table shows the causes of death :—
—
1
Anaemia
...
...
...
...
Diseases of the Heart ... ... ...
Do.
Respiratory system ... ...
Do.
Digestive system
...
...
Do.
Areolar tissue ... ...
Do.
Generative organ ... ...
Dysentery ... ...
Epilepsy ...
...
...
General debility ... ...
Hanging (suicide)
...
...
...
Malarial cachexia ... ... ...
Nepheritis
...
...
...
Small-pox ... .... ...
Tuberculosis of lungs ... ... ...
Total ...
Males.
2
...
3
4
6
2
...
2
4
12
2
3
1
1
6
46
Females.
3
1
...
...
...
...
1
...
...
3
...
...
...
...
1
6
Total.
4
1
3
4
6
2
1
2
4
15
2
3
1
1
7
52
3
14. The daily average number of patients treated in the Infirmaries for
bodily ailments was 54.10 (46.86 males and 7.24 females). The important
admissions are shown in the following table:—
—
1
Diseases of the eye ... ... ...
Do.
ear ... ... ...
Do.
skin ... ... ...
Do.
Respiratory system ... ...
Do
Digestive system ... ...
Dysentery ... ... ... ...
General debility ... ... ...
Gonorrhoa ... ... ...
Injuries ... ... ...
Kala-azar ... ... ...
Malaria ... ... ...
Pneumonia
...
...
...
Small-pox
...
...
...
...
Syphilis ...
...
...
...
Rheumatism ... ... ...
Tuberculosis of lungs ... ... ...
Worms (Intestinal) round ... ...
Males.
2
38
12
41
67
182
18
74
2
36
1
175
3
1
7
6
15
3
Females.
3
7
1
12
11
22
5
5
...
10
...
23
1
...
2
...
1
...
Total.
4
45
13
53
78
204
23
79
2
46
1
198
4
1
9
6
16
3
Malaria occurred mostly at the beginning of the year amongst the Berhampore
cases who arrived heavily infected. Towards the end of the year the general
health of the patients improved and malaria cases were comparatively few.
Digestive troubles occurred mostly amongst the patients who were of dirty
and coprophagic habits.
Debility cases were amongst the old and infirm cases transferred from
other hospitals and also amongst those who as a result of their acute mental
condition lost weight.
15. The general health of the patients has been good.
16. Post mortem.—During the year under report 49 post-mortems were
performed and interesting specimens found on post-mortem were collected
and preserved in glass jars for the hospital museum.
17. Accidents and injuries.—Some minor injuries and accidents took
place during the year but none were serious and worth mentioning.
18. Escapes.—Medicine has made a wonderful advance in the last 100
years and in no branch of the science has the progress been greater than
8
25. Conferences.—During the year under review, an informal conference
of representatives of the Governments of Bengal and Bihar and Orissa was
held at the Hospital on 20th July 1926, to discuss the additional requirements
of this hospital in respect of buildings and staff :
1. Secretary to the Government of Bengal, Local Self-Government
Department.
2. Surgeon-General with the Government of Bengal.
3. Secretary to the Government of Bihar and Orissa, Local Self-
Government Department.
4. Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Bihar and Orissa.
5. Superintendent, Ranchi Indian Mental Hospital, Kanke.
The Conference recommended the following additional buildings:—
1. (i) Additional godown for vegetables.
(ii)
ditto
do.
for fuel.
(iii)
ditto
do.
for coal and petrol.
(iv)
ditto
do.
for equipment.
2. Improvement of kitchens.
3. Additional feeding platforms for 200 males and 50 females.
4. Cattle shed.
5. Sheet Iron gates in male section and iron gratings over drain
openings in boundary wall of both sections.
6. Barbers shed.
7. A proper dispensary in the infirmary in the male section.
8. An additional Refractory Block for 42 male patients.
9. An additional Quiet Patients' Block for 90 male patients.
10. Additional quarters for the staff (7 blocks of married quarters and 3.5
blocks of single quarters).
11. Two compounders' quarters.
12. Recreation room to include a theatre, a music room and a library.
13. (i) Infectious wards for 48 male and 18 female patients.
(ii) Dysentery ward for 18 male and 12 female patients.
14. (i) Paying patients blocks for 100 male patients.
(ii)
ditto
do. for 40 female patients.
15. Hydrotherapy block for 12 patients.
16. Border-line blocks for 12 patients.
17. A Hostel for patients' friends coming to visit them.
The Conference referred to above similarly recommended the entertain-
ment of the following additional staff :—
1 Sub-Assistant Surgeon.
1 Male Compounder.
24 Male Nurses, including one Head Male Nurse and 23 nurses.
4 Female nurses.
1 Qualified Accountant.
1 Subedar Major.
1 Peon.
4 Barbers.
1 Mali.
2 Coolies.
2 Cooks.
5 Dhobies.
2 Tailors.
1 Fireman for Thresh Disinfector.
1 Chaukidar for the rest house.
1 Weaving Instructor for the female section.
11
a minimum as far as practicable during the year under review. Although this
is the 2nd annual report of the hospital it is in fact the first full annual
report, as it gives the actual working cost of the hospital for complete
12 months on full strength. The annual report of 1925 only covers a period
of 4 months and during this period of 4 months the hospital did not run full
strength. The average cost per head exclusive of Public Works Department
charges in 1925 was Rs. 351-9-3 and that too for a period of 4 months without
full strength whereas in 1926 annual cost per head exclusive of Public Works
Department charges was Rs. 489-12-3 for 12 months with full strength.
The abovementioned figures are self-explanatory with respect to our effort
at economy, and the cost per head will still further be reduced once the
hospital is thoroughly established and is made partly self-supporting to which
direction our energies are now concentrated.
23. Libraries.—(1) Patient's library.
This library is greatly appreciated by those patients who can read and
write. During the year under review many English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu,
Oriya books were added to the library.
(2) Staff Library.—Many new books and medical journals were also added
to the staff library during the year 1926. The library keeps the staff fully
informed of all the latest advances in different branches of medical science and
more so in the field of psychological medicine. It is very gratifying to note
that the medical staff takes full advantage of the library.
29. The following well-known papers and magazines were continued to be
supplied free of cost by the sympathetic, kind and benevolent proprietors of the
papers and magazines; to all these gentlemen, I offer my best thanks on behalf
of the patients of this hospital:—
1. Statesman.
2. Forward.
3. Amrita Bazar Patrika.
4. Searchlight.
5. Hindi Bangabasi.
6. Utkal Dipika.
7. Basumati.
8. Bharatbarsa.
9. Prabasi
10. Bangabani.
11. Kallol.
30. General.—(a) The hospital was visited by the following during the
year under report—
1. His Excelleney the Governor of Bihar and Orissa.
2. Director-General, Indian Medical Service.
3. Finance Member of the Government of Bihar and Orissa.
4. The Hon'ble Minister of the Local Self-Government Department,
Government of Bihar and Orissa.
5. The Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Bihar and Orissa.
6. The Surgeon-General with the Government of Bengal
7. Secretary, Local Self-Government Department, Government of Bihar
and Orissa.
8. Secretary, Local Self-Government Department, Government of
Bengal.
12
(b) The hospital was also visited by numerous sympathisers, Europeans and
Indians of the both sexes.
(c) During the year under report the Government of Bihar and Orissa in
the Ministry of Local Self-Government, appointed the following official and
non-official visitors under their notification no. 103-L. S.-G., dated the 7th
January 1926 :—
1. Assistant Surgeon, Sadr Hospital, Ranchi.
2. Dr. B. K. Roy, M.B., Assistant Surgeon, Radium Institute, Ranchi.
3. Dr. N. C. Mitra, M.B.
4. Dr. R. Chowdhury, M.B.
5. Mr. P. N. Bose.
6. Mr. S. K. Sahay.
7. Babu Jagat Pal Sahay.
8. Rai Bahadur Sarat Chandra Roy, M.L.C.
9. Rai Sahib Thakur Das.
10. Mr. S. K. Roy.
11. Maulavi Mohiuddin Ahmad, Pleader.
12. Dr. P. N. Chatterji.
13. Maulavi Habibur Rahman.
14. Rev. A. C. Chatterji.
15. Rai Bahadur Radha Govinda Chaudhury, Government Pleader,
Ranchi.
16. Rai Sahib Ganpat Rai.
The following non-official visitors were appointed in place of Rai Bahadur
Radha Govinda Choudhury and Rai Sahib Thakur Das who resigned :
Rai Sahib Rajani Kanta Sen.
Babu Nirman Chandra Dey.
Lady Visitor.—The following Lady visitors were appointed by the
Government of Bihar and Orissa in their notification no. 107-L. S.-G., dated
the 7th January 1926 :—
1. Mrs. P. K. Hansdah, Lady doctor.
2. „ S. K. Roy.
3. „ S. B. Lal.
4. „ H. K. Basu.
5. „ S. N. Sen Gupta.
6. „ P. N. Bose.
The committee of visitors, ladies and gentlemen have rendered invaluable
service to the hospital in the management of the hospital.
With a view to ensure smooth working of the Lady Visitors Committee,
I suggest that the number of the Committee be increased to 12 including one
or two more lady doctors as the present number is found by experience to be
inadequate as it leaves no margin for sickness and other unavoidable cause of
absence.
Mrs. Hansdah, the only lady doctor on the Ladies Committee, in spite of
her multifarious engagements rendered most loyal service to this hospital by
attending all the meetings throughout the year.
Revision of Lunatic Asylums Manual, 1918.—In view of the rapid
progress made in the field of psychological medicine during the last few years
and the changed condition resulting in this huge hospital the old Lunatic
Asylums Manual, 1918 needs revision.
J. E. DHUNJIBHOY, CAPTAN, I.M.S.,
Superintendent, Indian Mental Hospital, Kanke, Ranchi.
14
STATEMENT
Showing the Admissions, Discharges, etc., of patients in the Mental Hospitals,
1
Year.
1926 Ranchi Indian Mental
Hospital.
1925
1924
Ranchi Indian Mental
Hospital.
Patna Mental Hospi-
tal up to the date
of closure.
Berhampore Mental
Hospital up to the
date of closure.
Dacca ... ...
Patna
...
...
Berhampore ...
Dacca ... ...
2
Remained on
1st January.
Males.
1,100
Nil
261
574
276
237
540
265
Females.
159
Nil
51
96
42
47
101
40
Total.
1,259
Nil
312
670
318
284
641
305
3
Admitted.
Males.
216
1,112
50
112
39
63
115
55
Females.
79
162
4
16
4
7
22
9
Total.
295*
1,274
54
128
43
70
137
64
4
Re-admitted.
Males.
7
...
2
7
22
...
10
8
Females.
3
...
1
1
3
...
1
...
Total.
10*
...
3
8
25
...
11
8
5
Total population.
Males.
1,323
1,112
313
693
337
300
665
328
Females.
241
162
56
113
49
54
124
49
Total.
1,564
1,274
369
806
386
354
789
377
6
Discharged.
A
Cured.
Males.
98
...
22
63
20
30
42
24
Females.
15
...
1
6
3
2
18
1
Total.
113
...
23
69
23
32
60
25
B
Transferred to friends.
Improved.
Males.
7
2
2
13
18
...
4
7
Females.
...
...
1
2
4
1
2
2
Total.
7
2
3
15
22
1
6
9
Not improved.
Males.
1
...
6
...
...
1
...
...
Females.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total.
1
...
6
...
...
1
...
...
C
Otherwise.
Males.
(a)
1
1
274
593
232
3
10
13
Females.
(b)
1
...
53
100
2
...
...
...
Total.
2
1
327
693
(c)
234
3
10
13
D
Total.
Males.
107
3
304
669
270
34
56
44
Females.
16
...
55
108
9
3
20
3
Total.
123
3
359
777
279
37
76
47
N.B.—Observation cases are excluded from this statement.
The Capacity of the Ranchi Indian Mental Hospital is at 50 superficial feet per patient, 1,014 for males, 272 for females, 1,286 Total.
The maximum number of lunatic confined on any one night was 1,172 males, 219 females, 1,391 Total.
* Of this 222 (177 males and 45 females) are direct admissions and 83 (46
males and 37 females) were received on transfer from Dacca Mental Hospital
on the 18th of January 1926 on its abolition.
(a) One sane male convict patient escaped.
(b) One female patient transferred to the European Mental Hospital, Kanke.
(c) Ten patients were transferred to the Mental Hospital Berhampur,
and 212 to the Indian Mental Hospital, Kanke.
15
No. I
during the year 1926, and the two previous years.
7
Died.
Males.
46
9
9
24
19
5
35
8
Females.
6
3
1
5
3
...
8
4
Total.
52
12
10
29
22
5
43
12
8
Remaining on 31st
December.
Males.
1,170
1,100
...
...
48
261
574
276
Females.
219
159
...
...
37
51
96
42
Total.
1,389
1,259
...
...
85
312
670
318
9
Daily average strength.
Males.
1146.87
566.31
263.38
503.68
266.08
243.34
554.80
276.49
Females.
203.79
108.65
50.23
98.17
41.01
48.27
100.32
41.81
Total.
1350.66
674.96
313.61
601.85
307.09
291.61
655.12
318.30
10
Daily average sick.
Males.
46.86
29.47
26.31
29.32
30.95
28.42
37.65
32.04
Females.
7.24
9.58
4.26
4.04
5.27
6.48
6.31
9.38
Total.
54.10
39.05
30.57
33.36
36.22
34.90
43.96
41.42
11
Percentage to
Daily average strength.
A
Cured.
Males.
8.54
...
8.35
12.51
7.51
13.56
7.57
8.68
Females.
7.36
...
1.99
6.11
7.31
4.14
17.94
2.34
Total.
8.36
...
7.33
11.46
7.48
12.00
9.16
7.85
B
Died.
Males.
4.01
1.59
3.41
4.76
7.10
2.05
6.31
2.88
Females.
2.89
2.76
1.99
5.09
7.31
...
7.97
9.57
Total.
3.85
1.78
3.18
4.82
7.13
1.71
6.56
3.77
Admission.
C
Cured.
Males.
7.41
...
4.40
16.80
13.11
6.34
8.80
15.08
Females.
5.06
...
2.50
5.88
...
14.28
17.39
11.11
Total.
6.78
...
4.25
15.51
11.76
7.14
10.13
13.77
D
Died.
Males.
2.31
.81
1.80
1.68
4.91
3.17
4.00
4.16
Females.
2.53
1.85
2.50
...
...
...
4.35
...
Total.
2.37
.94
1.85
1.47
4.85
2.85
4.05
4.16
16
STATEMENT No. IA.
Showing cases admitted for observation in the Mental Hospitals, for the year 1926, and the two previous years.
Name of Hospital.
1
Ranchi Indian Mental Hospital
...
Ranchi Indian Mental Hospital
...
Patna
Mental Hospital
...
Berhampur „ „
...
...
Dacca
„
„
...
...
Patna
Mental Hospital
...
Berhampore „ „ ... ...
Dacca „ „ ... ...
Year.
2
1926
...
1925
...
...
...
1924
...
Remained on 1st January.
3
...
...
...
2
1
1
...
4
Admitted.
4
5
...
21
3
23
14
5
26
Re-admitted.
5
...
...
2
...
6
2
1
1
Certified and admitted into Hospital.
6
4
...
15
5
25
14
4
...
Certified and released under section 14,
Act IV of 1912.
7
1
...
...
...
...
1
...
28
Released as uncertified.
8
...
...
8
...
4
2
...
2
Died or Remaining on 31st December.
9
...
...
... ...
1
...
2
1
Remarks.
10
Up to the date of closure.
18
STATEMENT
Return of Criminal Patients in the Mental Hospitals,
1
Years.
1926
1925
1924
Ranchi Indian
Mental Hos-
pital.
Ranchi Indian
Mental Hos-
pital.
Patna Mental
Hospital up
to the date of
closure.
Berhampore
Mental Hos-
pital up to
the date of
closure.
Dacca Mental
Hospital.
Patna Mental
Hospital.
Berhampore
Mental Hos-
pital.
Dacca Mental
Hospital.
2
Remaining on 1st
January.
Males.
531
...
124
281
166
113
269
162
Females.
25
...
15
15
19
13
17
17
Total.
556
...
139
296
85
126
286
179
3
Admitted.
Males.
101
537
18
50
15
30
57
27
Females.
25
25
4
1
...
3
7
4
Total.
126*
562
22
51
15
33
64
31
4
Re-admitted.
Males.
7
...
2
5
9
...
6
...
Females.
3
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total.
10
...
2
5
9
...
6
...
5
Total.
Males.
639
537
144
336
190
143
332
189
Females.
53
25
19
16
19
16
24
21
Total.
692
562
163
352
209
159
356
210
* Of which 41 patients (25 males and 15 females) were received on transfer from the Dacca Mental Hospital on 8th
January 1926.
19
No. II.
for the year 1926, and the two previous years.
6
Discharged, transferred,
etc.
Males.
73
4
140
328
155
14
33
21
Females.
10
...
18
16
3
1
8
...
Total.
83(a)
4
158
344
158
15
41
21
7
Died.
Males.
20
2
4
8
8
5
18
2
Females.
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
2
Total.
20
2
5
8
8
5
19
4
8
Remaining on 31st
December.
Males.
546
531
...
...
27
124
281
166
Females.
43
25
...
...
16
15
15
19
Total.
589
556
...
...
43
139
296
185
9
Daily average strength.
Males.
549.04
265.07
127.32
191.06
143.63
118.39
272.77
163.25
Females.
42.77
17.44
16.26
9.37
16.57
12.67
16.70
18.31
Total.
591.81
282.51
143.58
200.43
160.20
131.06
289.47
181.56
(a) Transferred to non-criminal class:—
Thirty Males.
Four females.
N. B.—Observation cases are excluded from this statement.