Insanity Increasing in England
The annual report of the English Lunacy Commissioners shows an enormous increase in madness in England and in Wales. In 1859 the number of insane was 36,762, or one in five hundred and thirty-six of the population. There has been a steady increase from that time up to Jan. 1, 1903, when the number of insane was 113,964, or one in every two hundred and ninety-three of the population. The rate of increase since 1894 has been especially notable, the gain being from 92,067. There was never such an increase in the number of insane as in the year ended Dec. 31, 1902, the increase over the previous year being 3,251. The number of persons who lost their minds in 1902 alone was 22,581, or almost five hundred a week. The increase was found almost entirely among pauper lunatics. The proportion of lunatics privately cared for to the population is about the same now as it was in 1859, whereas the pauper proportion is twice as high. A carefully compiled table explains as far as possible the causes of lunacy. The list is headed by drink, to which 23 per cent of male and 9.6 per cent of female cases of insanity is ascribed. Heredity accounts for the greatest number of women lunatics, the proportion being the high one of 24.6 per cent. In the case of men heredity accounts for 18.8 per cent of insanity. Previous attacks come next, with 23.1 per cent of women and 16.2 per cent of men. In cases of unknown causes men come first, with 17 per cent, and women follow with 15.4 per cent. The general impression that the increase of lunacy is due to the mental wear and tear of modern life is not supported by the figures. Adverse circumstances, including business anxieties and pecuniary difficulties, account for the lunacy of 6.2 per cent of the men and 3.8 per cent of the women; mental anxiety, worry, and overwork, 5.7 per cent of the men and 5.9 per cent of women; love affairs, one in two hundred of men and three in two hundred of women. There is about the same proportion of insanity through fright and nervous shocks. According to the figures of the commissioners, physical rather than direct mental causes are responsible for the great increase in insanity. One case in three can be traced to some disease or disorder. One fourth of all those admitted to the asylums are found to have suicidal tendencies. Lunacy is increasing more in the country than in the cities. In Hereford and Exeter there is a higher percentage than in London, yet the average increase of insanity in the capital has attained the enormous figure of five hundred.—Current Literature.