16
DACCA LUNATIC ASYLUM.
[Part I.
orders of the Superintendent, in all cases in which he deems restraint essential.
The Government resolution thus notes the subject—
The Lieutenant-Governor is glad to observe that in 1873 the practice has been kept
within reasonable limits. He has sufficient confidence in Dr. Payne to accept the opinion
expressed by that officer, that a certain amount of discretion must be left to the Medical Super-
intendent in the matter. Without insisting on an absolute abandonment of mechanical
restraint, the Lieutenant-Governor hopes that it may be adopted sparingly.
Water-supply.
The defects noted in the former volume of this report with regard to the
water-supply of the Dullunda asylum happily no longer exist. The Public
Works Department have succeeded in making excellent mechanical arrange-
ments for conducting bathing-water by means of pipes from a nullah of the
river into the asylum, and drinking water is conveyed from one of the muni-
cipal hydrants in a cart.
Escapes.
There were only two escapes. Dr. Payne deprecates the construction of
impassable surrounding walls, on the principle that the opposite condition
stimulates the keepers to a proper amount of watchfulness.
Criminal lunatics.
Of criminal lunatics 106 were treated, 20 were discharged, and 5 died,
leaving 81 at the close of the year. The daily average number was 80.
Finances.
The average cost of each patient was Rs. 117, against Rs. 123 in 1872.
The revision of the establishment under the new rules caused a considerable
increase, and the overseer's pay was increased. Each diet cost Rs. 62-4-5.
Inspection.
Deputy Surgeon-General H. B. Buckle, C. B., as an official visitor,
inspected the asylum frequently. He states that " on every occasion the asy-
lum in all the details has been found to be in admirable order, offering rather
opportunities for observing how such an institution should be conducted than
for criticism."
DACCA ASYLUM.
Charge.
Statistics.
Surgeon-Major J. Wise, M. D., held charge throughout the year.
The principal features of the year, as exhibited in the statement below,
were a considerable increase in the population, a large number of admissions,
an improved recovery-rate, and a very high death-rate. There were 592 ad-
missions into hospital, and the daily average number of sick was 24. The
total number of deaths was 47.
STATEMENT XIV.
YEARS.
1868
...
...
1869 ... ...
1870 ... ...
1871
...
...
1872 ... ...
Average
...
...
1873 ... ...
Daily average
strength.
200
232
222
213
218
217
244
PERCENT. OF AVERAGE STRENGTH.
Admitted.
56.
42.6
34.7
37.5
57.3
45.6
51.9
DISCHARGED.
Cured.
20.5
12.5
15.3
13.6
17.4
15.9
18.8
Improved.
7.
2.5
4.5
5.1
6.4
5.1
4.9
Otherwise.
.4
3.01
5.
1.9
1.8
2.42
5.3
Deaths.
22.5
17.6
18.5
19.7
18.4
19.3
19.2
Total
discharges
and
eath s.
54.
35.6
43.3
40.3
44.
43.4
48.3
Nothing has been done towards increasing the accommodation of the
asylum, though it is quite clear additional room is sadly needed.
Overcrowding.
Overcrowding has existed to a serious extent, and to this is attributed the
excessive mortality ; more particularly is the fatality of chest diseases thus ac-
counted for. Dr. Wise points out that at the minimum regulation rate of
50 superficial feet of space per patient, the asylum is capable of accommodat-
ing 127 males, including 20 solitary cells, and allowing for 19 men in hospital,
the dormitories being only capable of containing 88; but "during the past
year the average number of males sleeping in the asylum was 196, with only
22 superficial feet of room." And he adds. " Asylums are provided for criminal
lunatics, whose custody the law requires; but Government also recognises
the claim that the harmless and homeless lunatics have on its consideration,
and has established institutions where it is assumed that they will be properly