INCREASE OF INSANITY IN VICTORIA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1671, 11 February 1913, Page 8

INCREASE OF INSANITY IN VICTORIA.

SOME ESTKAOBDINARY FACTS.

The increase-in iho number of cases of insanity in Victoria, and tho influence of immigration upon tho increase, formed the subject of a statement by Dr. W. E. Jones, Inspector-General of tho . Insane (says tho Melbourne "Ago"). Dr. Jones pointed first, to tho '.increase in the num-. ber of cases on tho,books of tho Lunacy Department during 1912. Tho. increase on tho books was 130, and tho actual increase in tho number of residents in institutions was 123. Tho rate of, admission during the year had been very high, and ho ifgretted to observo -that ono of .the worßt features was, tho fact that a vcry largo number of immigrants had, found their way into the receiving'houses and other institutions of tho Department. Yet, curiously enough, this was scarcely unexpected, for there was no doubt tnat such a change of environment and new conditions of lifo must necessarily affect the minds of somo immigrants, apart from the question whether they were desirable - immigrants or not.' They might or/might not have started out as desirable immigrants. It was found at present that in tho United States, where a tremendous number of immigrants were received, tho lunacy rate was very high, and that a very large number of immigrants found< their way into the Stato institutions; It was n curious fact, too,; that immigrants coming from those countries in which tho lunacy rate was not so high, wero more prono to show insanity than thoso coming from where there was a high rato of. insanity. For example, it was found in tho United States that Hungarians and Italians showed a considerable number of mental breakdowns, although tho rato in their own countries was comparatively low. In view of this, large annual increase, Dr. Jones added, it was necessary to' find additional accommodation; and'the Department was faccd. too, with tho relinquishing of Yarra Hcnd. The first block of now buildings at Mont Park was . now being occupied. It consisted of administrative quarters and four cottages, each accommodating about 40 persons. Owing to tho demand it would "be necessary to accommodate- 140 fetnnlo patients in'the next, block to be completed. The improve--ments at Suribury included an infirmary I for GO patients—3o men and 30 women. As regarded tho receiving house at Royal Park, it was found that it continued to admit considerably over GOO .patients « year. Tho new receiving house at Bullarat, which was storied a few months ago, was now beginning to . attract ; tho • class of patients for ,whom it was intended —recoverablo and doubtful cases. The Lara institution still continutd to deal with an avorago number pf 42 patients in residence.