REPORT ON THE BHOWANIPORE LUNATIC ASYLUM
For the year 1873.
By Surgeon-Major A. J. PAYNE, M.D., Superintendent.
Population.
Military insanes.
A GREAT reduction will be observed in the number of admissions during the year.
The method of dealing with insane soldiers from the provinces which has been advocated here
for some time, but depended for its complete adoption on the provision of sufficient accommo-
dation at Bombay, has, I believe, been rendered practicable now, and accordingly the number
of soldiers received at Bhowanipore in 1873 has been only four. Three have been despatched
to Europe as ordinary invalids, one has been discharged cured, and the case of a criminal
is still under consideration of Government. A locally enlisted soldier was also admitted; but
being now discharged from the service, he appears in the return as a civil patient, and being
a country-born man will probably continue an inmate of the asylum for some time.
Civil lunatics.
2. The admissions from the civil population have also been fewer than usual, numbering
only 23. Thirteen have recovered and been discharged; five have returned in improved
condition to their friends; six have been despatched to Europe as insane; four have died,
and twenty-four remain in the asylum.
Mortality.
3. It is unusual in this asylum to record so large a number of deaths. Mr. Kallonas,
who had been 20 years in the place, died of heat apoplexy in June; John Aganoor, chroni-
cally demented, died in the same month of fever with cerebral effusion; C. F. Cotton,
hemiplegic for years, and received in that state from the General Hospital, died in October
(extensive yellow softening in the motor tract, and various inflammatory meningeal deposits);
and T. Wallace died six weeks after admission from intense cerebral congestion with sero-
sanguineous exudation.
Causes of insanity.
4. The causation of insanity among so small a number has no technical interest, and
affords no data for administrative criticism. I confine myself therefore to noting in the
return such conclusions on the subject as the information obtained in each case seems to
support.
Finances.
5. A special return sets forth the receipts and expenditure during the year. A reduced
total expenditure has followed the fall in numbers, and similarly the receipts from paying
patients have become smaller than in 1872, while the credit for soldiers' stoppages is
comparatively insignificant. For the same reason the charge for fixed establishment,
as distributed among individual patients, is higher.
Management.
It is needless to report that which has been often before reported concerning the
arrangements, sanitary and otherwise, of the asylum. The inspections of visitors have been
made with unfailing regularity, and their monthly reports have conveyed all necessary
information on points of management; but I beg to repeat the testimony I have already borne
to the character and qualifications of the head overseer, Mr. DeVere. I can give him no
higher commendation than I do in saying that his duties were discharged in 1873 as they were
in former years. Of his assistant overseer, Franklin, it would be difficult to speak too highly.
Nothing disturbs his steady, sober industry and devotion to work, which make him in his
position particularly useful. Mrs. Pearce, the present matron, was appointed soon after my
return from furlough. She has shown all the qualities which I was led to expect in her from
the testimonials she brought from officers who knew her before.
Memorandum from—H. B. BUCKLE, ESQ., C.B., Deputy Surgeon-General, Presidency Circle,
dated 6th February 1874.
IN forwarding the annual returns of this lunatic asylum for the year 1873, the result
of inspections during the year is submitted.
As an official visitor I have, together with other visitors, inspected the asylum, the last
time on the 4th February 1874. The asylum was always found to be in a most satisfactory
state; the attention paid to the inmates, all the details of management and conduct of
the establishment, all that could be desired.