( 6 )
22. The plan of crediting the lunatics with part of the money value of
their labor is only found to answer when the proceeds are given out at once in
the form of extra indulgences. That is perhaps the best shape in which to
reward the ordinary chronic patients; but where there is a fair prospect of cure,
the money earned should be set aside for the patient, and be given him on dis-
charge. The daily average number of lunatics employed in useful work was
763.23 out of a daily average strength of 889.96.
23. In the foregoing paragraphs only the native asylums of the province
have been considered. The statistics of the European asylum at Bhowanipore
are set out by the Surgeon-General in the concluding paragraphs of his report.
On the 1st of January 1879 there were 20 patients remaining over from the
preceding year. Twenty were admitted in 1879 against 23 in 1878, of whom
only 2 were from the army. Of the 40 under treatment, 4 were cured, 1
made over to the military authorities, 4 sent to Europe under the Merchant
Shipping Act, 7 made over to friends, and 4 died. Of the 4 deaths, 2 were
due to old age, 1 patient having been 47 years in the asylum. One patient
was dangerously ill on admission. The fourth died from the exhaustion of long-
continued maniacal seizures. The cost of the asylum was Rs. 22,095 against
Rs. 25,106 in 1878. The number of first and second class paying patients was
much less—6, against 14 in 1878. This caused a reduction in cost of diets and
servants. The average daily cost of each European patient was as follows:—
Paying patients, 1st class ... ... ...
Ditto
2nd „ ... ... ...
Ditto
3rd „ ... ... ...
Pauper patients ... ... ... ...
Rs.
1
0
0
0
A.
2
9
6
4
P.
9
4
0
9
The diet of the pauper patients may be compared with that of European
prisoners in the Presidency Jail, where a European laboring prisoner's diet
costs 4 annas 5 pie daily, and a non-laboring diet 3 annas 1 pie (exclusive
of vegetables from the jail garden). As Dr. Payne remarks, an average non-
laboring lunatic does not require more food than an average laboring pri-
soner. The extra cost of the asylum diet is caused by difference in quality.
ORDER.—Ordered that a copy of this Resolution, together with a copy of
the Report, and a copy of the Report of the Committee on the Medical Expen-
diture of Asylums, with the Lieutenant-Governor's Resolution, No. 68, of the
26th January, be submitted to the Government of India in the Home, Revenue,
and Agricultural Department, for information.
Ordered also that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the Surgeon-
General, Bengal, for information and guidance.
No. 197T.
COPY of this Resolution, together with a copy of the Report, and copy of the
Report of the Committee on the Medical Expenditure of Asylums, with Lieuten-
ant-Governor's Resolution, No. 68, of the 26th January, submitted to the Govern-
ment of India, Home, Revenue, and Agricultural Department for information.
No. 198T.
COPY forwarded to the Surgeon-General, Bengal, for information and
guidance.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal.
A. MACKENZIE,
Secretary to the Government of Bengal.
DARJEELING,
The 17th May 1880.
D. E. J.-Reg. No. 2920C—250—12-6-80.