LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.                                         9

Discharges.

12. Discharges.—356 persons passed out of the asylums from all causes; 1 more
than the average of five years preceding, 8 less than in 1870, and 4 fewer than the
number admitted. The discharge rate, 42.8 per cent. of strength, is therefore less
by 10 than that of the average of five years, 4.2 less than 1870, and 5.3 less than the
admission rate. The series of six years shows that the admission and discharge rates evince a
tendency to progressive diminution with the progressive increase of strength. The discharge
rate of English pauper asylums for ten years 1860—69 was 29.4. Of the 356 discharges, 200,
or 56.2 per cent., were discharged cured, 38, or 10.7 per cent., transferred to the care of friends
improved, 17, or 4.8 per cent., discharged from other causes, and 101, or 28 per cent., died.

Recoveries.

Recovery rates.

13. Recoveries.—200 lunatics were discharged cured, against 187 in 1870 and 185
the average of five preced-
ing years, giving an increase
of 13 and 15. The ratio of
cures was, however, smaller
in relation to average
strength,—24.07 against
27.4; and to total treated,—
16.9 against 17.7, while it
was greater in relation to ad-
missions, 50 against 48.2.
The table on the margin
gives the corresponding
rates for each asylum. The
results compare favorably
with those of previous years and the asylums of other countries. In English pauper asylums
the recovery rates are 10.95 on strength, 8.53 on treated, and 35 on admissions.

Recoveries accord-
ing to sex.

14. Recoveries according to sex.—The recoveries among male patients amounted to 22.8
per cent. of the average strength for the year, and among females to 28.2. The ratios of
recoveries per cent. of the admissions of the year were respectively males 47.1 and females
60.4. The experience of asylums in other countries is thus affirmed in Bengal, namely that
insanity is a more curable disease among females than among males. The causes which
contribute to this result are probably different in some respects in India, and it would be an
interesting subject of study to investigate and weigh them. This, however, cannot be done
profitably with the data at my disposal, and I can only commend the matter to the attention
of Superintendents, who are in a position to bring practical knowledge to bear on this and
other interesting questions.

Recoveries accord-
ing to ago.

15. Recoveries according to age.—Statement No. 5 shows that the highest ratio of
recoveries takes place between the ages 20 to 30 ; 30 to 40, 10 to 20, 40 to 50, 50 to 60, and
60 to 70 following. The period 70 to 80 gives a high ratio, but this is owing to the small
numbers. From the same cause the ratios of those discharged improved cannot be accepted as
a safe ground of comment.

Recoveries accord-
ing to length of
residence.

16. From statement No. 7 it appears that the number of patients discharged cured and
improved is greater in the earlier periods of residence; thus of 200 persons discharged
cured during the year, 24 per cent. had not completed three months' residence, 45 per cent.
six months, 68 per cent. nine months, and 80 per cent. left the asylum under one year's
residence.

Discharged im-
proved.

17. The number discharged improved and transferred to the care of friends is 11 less
than in 1870 and 7 less than the average of the five preceding years. No insanes were placed
in charge of their friends in whose case some improvement had not taken place.

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