LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
17
40. Prophylactic medicines were regularly and systematically issued to
the inmates of all the asylums during the year under report. The Superintend-
ent of the Berhampore Asylum reported that 50 lunatics were placed on prophy-
lactic treatment with quinine, but 2 of them suffered from fever. He concluded
that there was no satisfactory evidence for or against the prophylactic use
of quinine, and from his experience of jail work he was convinced that very
little good is effected by the daily use of quinine. The Superintendent was
told to issue quinine or chinchonidine with one of the preparations of iron. This
was carried out, and he now reports that since this was done there has been no
case of fever.
41. I inspected all the asylums during the year under report, and I am
glad to be able to report that most of my suggestions have been carried out.
The establishment at an early date of a conjoined asylum renders it inexpedient
to spend much money on large changes. The plans for the new institution
have been approved and the estimates have been sanctioned, and the work will
be put in hand at once. Copies of my inspection notes for 1900 and 1901 are
forwarded for the information of Government. As they are already printed,
it is unnecesary to re-print them with this report. The position of the
warders needs improvement, but the matter will be thoroughly considered when
the central asylum at Berhampore is ready for occupation.
42. The following medical officers held charge of the asylums during the
year:—
Dullunda—Captain F. O'Kinealy, I.M.S., throughout the year.
Dacca—Lieut.-Colonel R. Macrae, I.M.S., all through the year.
Patna—Lieut.-Colonel J. ffrench-Mullen, I.M.S., from 1st January to
24th September; Lieut.-Colonel J. Lewtas, I.M.S., from 25th
September to 16th December; and Major F. P. Maynard,
I.M.S., from 17th December to the end of the year.
Cuttack—Lieut.-Colonel J. M. Zorab, I.M.S., throughout the year.
Berhampore—Major J. H. T. Walsh, I.M.S., throughout the year.
43. Establishment.—The Superintendents generally report in favourable
terms of the subordinate staff. The following officers are specially com-
mended:—Mr. T. H. Lawton, the acting Deputy Superintendent at Dullunda ;
Mr. and Mrs. Slater, the Overseer and Matron at Patna. At Berhampore the
Overseer, Babu Mohendro Nath Roy, retired at the end of October. His
successor, Babu Chuni Lal Ghosh, is reported to be a very willing officer. He
has since resigned. The work of the overseer at Dacca has of late been unsatis-
factory. The subordinate medical officers have generally done their duty well.
44. During the year under report the asylums were carefully and
efficiently managed by the Superintendents.
EUROPEAN LUNATIC ASYLUM, BHAWANIPUR.
45. The following Table gives the numbers of European lunatics confined
in this asylum during the year under report, and in the previous year:—
Remaining on 1st January ... ... ...
Admitted during the year ... ... ...
Re-admitted ... ... ... ...
Total ...
Discharged cured
...
...
... ...
Despatched to Europe under Merchant Shipping Act ...
Transferred to care of friends ... ... ...
Despatched to Europe as still insane ... ...
Discharged otherwise ...
...
...
...
Died
...
...
...
...
...
Total ...
Remaining on 31st December ...
1899.
35
17
2
54
5
...
7
1
...
4
17
37
1900.
37
15
1
53
2
...
7
2
1
4
16
37
46. Admissions.—The admissions and re-admissions numbered 16 against
19 in 1899, 6 of the former being Europeans, 8 East Indians, 1 German and
D