MENTAL TROUBLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12065, 21 July 1917, Page 8

MENTAL TROUBLE.

THE CHANCES OF EEC OVERT. REPORT OF THE MENTAL HOSPITALS' DEPARTMENT. (Special to " Star.") WELLINGTON, July 21. The mental hospitals report discloses that there are 4375 pa bents males and 1820 females-m Nty.v Zealand mental asylums, and niai, tins total means that out of every ten thousand of the population 7.80 have mental trouble. Last year's admissions, including 18 immigrant;:, numbered B<J. beiiv G8 in excess of the total of tbo previous venr. "Every 1253 persons ii tho population contributed o;:o admission, and every 1-529 persons a hrst admission," states tho report. I eteontages over a long period show that, tho proportion of the insane has gone up slightly during recent years. In view of these somewhat disconcerting figures it is worth turning to tho table in the report showing the development of caws throughout the whole historv of New Zealand's mental hospitals. This shows the following reRecovered . » • Relieved • • • Not improved . • 0.00 Died _ ... 27.02 Remaining . - • 13.47

The proportion of recoveries is much lower than that of admissions up to the age of fifteen; that thereafter the reverse is the case to the age of thirty: then the proportions more or less balance for the next three decades; and, lastly, there is a decidedly higher proportion of admissions after the age of sixtv than of recoveries after that age. With .small numbers different _ years will show differences in detail, but broadly these proportions are not far from the truth, and it should be added that certain mental disorders oi* greater oi" lesser durability are associated with jijre-periods. Improved classification of patients is always being aimed at by the Department, but its building programme, especially during war time, is only «nfficient to meet urgent requirements. There is at present an excess of 147 patients over accommodation. This year's building programme is a further contribution to classification. Among the plans prepared is one giving effect to the wish to meet the representations of relatives who are willing to pay considerably more for patients in whom they are interested than our maximum of ono guinea a week. Touching this maximum pavment it should be pointed out that if allmmnee were made for interest- on buildings our oost per head would exceed the maximum the Department 's permitted to charge, and very much so in the case of patients reeding any special observation or care. Doubtless present conditions accentuate the difference between tho maximum payment and the cost of maintenance, but even in normal times 3s a day is inadequate to corcr Ihc cost of the majority of patients. The time liar, come to consider the revising of the maximum, states the InspectorGeneral of Mental Hospitals. Only one-third of the patients have any estate t relatives to contribute towards their maintenance, and the average amount per head received in respect of this proportion last year was £ll 6s 83d, though the net. cost of maintaining one patient is £32 9s 2Jd. Thi-i- sum would be larger but for the profitable outdoor employment of ablebodied patisnts. The farms in connection with ihe institutions have done well. Tho expenditure of £l6 088 exceeds tho value of farm produce consumed in the institutions by £44. only, and in addition £8639 has been received in cash sales, leaving a not profit of £8505.