3
United Provinces, Bengal, Assam and Burma during the year under report
was respectively 6.67, 14.35, 7.7, 11.42, 8.15, 8.57, 9.47 and 16.5. Several of
the deaths resulted from coprophagic habits which brought on diarrhœa,
dysentery and anæmia due to ankylostomata. No disease broke cut in
epidemic form. It is hoped that with the various improvements already
effected in the asylum and the others under progress the death-rate will be
lower in the ensuing year.
7. The total expenditure under all heads showed an excess of Rs. 11,364-4-1
as compared with that in 1912. This was mainly due to the following causes :
diet cost for increased number of lunatics, higher rate for some articles of food,
more new constructions and increased cost on account of revision of establish-
ment. The total annual average cost per head of average strength calculated
at this rate was Rs. 141-7-8 against Rs. 111-13-10 in 1912. The sum of
Rs. 448-0-10 was received from paying patients against Rs. 233 in 1912.
Deducting these receipts which were credited to Government, the cost per
head of average strength was Rs. 139-13-7. The net profit from manufactures
was Rs. 1,557-4-2 against Rs. 1,451-9-5 in the previous year.
8. Due attention was paid to the sanitation of the asylum. Conservancy
was carried out on the dry earth system. The wards, verandahs and drains
were flushed daily. But there was no proper arrangement for the disposal of
the surface drainage. The Municipality should be required to remedy this
defect.
9. I agree with the Superintendent that the form No. VII showing
ætiological factors and associated conditions in the lunatics introduced during
1912 under Government of India, Home Department, Resolution No. 224-234,
dated the 20th March 1912, does not fully serve the purpose for which it is
intended. Insanity may be due to both predisposing and exciting causes,
but these two causes cannot be shown together in the form in respect of a
particular case. A further revision of the form seems to be necessary and
this is already under the consideration of the Government of India.
10. The Bengal Lunatic Asylums Manual which is in force in this
Province has at my request been revised by Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Sunder,
M.D., I.M.S., Superintendent of the Patna Lunatic Asylum. The draft revised
manual is being examined in this office.
11. Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Sunder, M.D., I.M.S., was in charge of the
asylum throughout the year. The conduct of the staff is reported to have
been as satisfactory as might be expected from men who had more duties
than they could perform well. The defect has to a great extent been removed
by the recent revision of establishment.
12. I inspected the asylum on the 9th October 1913 and was much
impressed with the efficient management of it by Lieutenant-Colonel Sunder,
I.M.S. I cannot speak too highly of this officer and of the zealous way in
which he works. All possible care was taken to effect the comfert of the
unfortunate inmates. Every attention was paid to their dieting. The lunatics
were employed in suitable occupations, and amusements were provided for
them. Hardworking and well-behaved lunatics were rewarded by small
monthly stipends which were deposited in the Postal Savings Bank with a
view to provide them with funds on their discharge. On some occasions
these lunatics sent their earnings to their relatives. An infirm gang was
kept up during the year as usual. The lunatics in this gang were given extra
diet and were carefully watched.