28
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
" The apparent increase in the average cost under the head of establish-
ment was entirely due to the decrease in the average strength of the inmates
during the year, and not to any actual increased expenditure. It is true that
the number of keepers employed and of the lower servants is regulated
according to that of the inmates; but the allowance of Superintendent, and
the pay of the Overseer, the Native Doctor, the Matron, and some of the upper
servants, remain the same, which shows a proportionately higher rate of cost
per patient, as the average strength of the inmates becomes lower. Another
circumstance slightly helped in showing increased expenditure in the cost
of establishment. The Overseer receives an annual increment of Rs. 5 per
month, commencing in the month of April of each year. He therefore received
Rs. 45 more than he did in the previous year."
" The head under which there was an actual increase of expenditure was
that of diet, and this was entirely due to the high prices that prevailed almost
throughout the year. Rice, dall, and other articles of food, were all much
dearer in 1877 than in 1876. In ordinary years the kind of rice used for the
inmates of the asylum is obtainable in the local markets from Re. 1-12 to
Rs. 2 per maund; whereas during the year under report the price of it went up
for a time as high as Rs. 4 per maund. Similarly, flour, dall, &c., cost
considerably more than in other years."
" There is one item included in this Table (No. IX) for the year under
report which appears for the first time In the accounts of the asylum, viz.
diet and passage-money paid to released lunatics. Formerly when a lunatic
was discharged from the asylum he was sent to the Magistrate of the district,
who used to defray the necessary expenses of sending him to his home.
The Accountant-General of Bengal, however, has raised an objection to this
arrangement, and insists on the charge being met by the Medical Department.
The sum of Rs. 492 was accordingly expended under this head during the
year, which adds the sum of 4 annas 9 pie to the average cost per patient."
Occupation of
inmates.
11. The occupations of the inmates were various, viz. oil-making,
weaving, spinning, grinding grain, gardening, &c.; and out of a mean popula-
tion of males 108.41, females 57.86, total 166.27, an average of 98.26 males and
45.49 females, making a total of 143-75 lunatics, were employed in various
kinds of industry.
Manufacture
Department.
12. " The sum expended in the purchase of raw materials for manufac-
ture department, including all their charges connected with it, amounted to
Rs. 3,042-9-10, and that realized from the sale of manufactured goods was
Rs. 4,419-3-8, which, with the value of unsold manufactured articles and raw
material in store, shows a profit of Rs. 1,583-3-5, against a net profit of
Rs. 1,330-5-3 in 1876."
Establishment.
13. Mr. Shircore says that the conduct of Overseer Mohendra Nath Roy
continues to give him satisfaction in the honest discharge of his duties. In
former reports he had expressed himself fully regarding his intelligence,
integrity, and special capabilities for his post, and the experience of another
year confirms this good opinion. The conduct of Mrs. Sandys, the Matron,
has always been satisfactory. She is attentive to her duties, takes an interest
in her work, and is kind to her patients.
Native Doctor Rutoo is well spoken of, having been attached to the Moy-
dapore Dispensary for 29 years, and has been attached to the Berhampore
Asylum since its opening in 1874. He is well acquainted with all the details of
duty, and his willingness to help in the general management of the lunatics
renders him a useful officer. The jemadars and keepers are also commended
for their good conduct.
Ventilation of
wards.
14. During the year the ventilation of the male wards has been greatly
improved, and light and air have been admitted into the larger hall or passage
between the two lines of cells in the female wards, and Mr. Shircore concludes
his report in these words: "Suggestion.—I have mentioned in the early part
of this report the important alterations and improvements carried out during
the year. These, however, do not complete all the requirements of the asylum.
The following additions are still much needed: (1) A work-shed in female ward;
(2) a cook-room in the female ward (this is wanted to enable us to effect a complete
segregation of the sexes); (3) two work-sheds in the male ward; (4) a dead-house.