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to Rs. 2-14-9 per lunatic. Establishment cost Rs. 46,649 or Rs. 44-4-4 per
head, against Rs. 45-2-10 in the previous year.
General remarks.—The asylum buildings are for the most part very old
and unsuitable in design. The separation of criminal from non-criminal
lunatics is not so complete as is to be desired. It was hoped that the Central
Asylum buildings at Berhampore would be ready for occupation during the
year under report. This, however, was found to be impossible and much work
still remains to be done before the much-desired scheme of centralization can
be carried into effect. This scheme provides for the amalgamation of four
of the six asylums only, those at Dacca and Bhowanipur being excluded. The
Dacca institution was excluded because it was considered desirable to maintain
a separate asylum in Eastern Bengal, where the climatic conditions would
be more favourable for patients coming from Assam and the eastern districts
of Bengal. The European Asylum at Bhowanipur was excluded, as it was
considered undesirable to remove it to a distance from Calcutta. There can,
however, be no doubt that the climate of Bhowanipur and the site of the asylum
buildings are not suitable for European patients. The opinions of the medical
officers who have held charge of this asylum from time to time are unanimous
on this point, and it is hoped that it may be found possible to provide accom-
modation for these patients in a more suitable climate. The advantages to
be expected from centralization are obvious, viz., economy in management and
continuous supervision by an officer with special experience in this branch of
medicine, who will be able to devote his whole time to the work. Under the
existing system the frequent changes of Superintendents and the fact that each
Superintendent has numerous other duties to perform, deprive the asylums of
that close and continuous skilled supervision which is essential to successful
management. The following list of officers who have held charge of the
asylums during the past year will illustrate this point:—
Bhowanipur and Dullunda.—Captain L. Rogers, M.D., I.M S., from 1st Janu-
ary to 4th March; Captain H. Meakin, M.D., I.M.S., from 5th
March to 12th June; Captain J. W. F. Rait, M.D., I.M.S., from
13th June to 31st December.
Dacca.—Lieutenant-Colonel R. N. Campbell, I.M.S., from 1st January to
6th July ; Major J. H. T. Walsh, I.M.S., from 7th July to 6th
October; Lieutenant-Colonel R. N. Campbell, I.M.S., from 7th
October to 31st December.
Patna.—Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Whitwell, I.M.S., from 1st January
to 15th October; Captain T. H. Delany, from 16th October to
9th November; Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Whitwell, 10th
November to the end of the year.
Cuttack.—Major J. T. Calvert, I.M.S., held charge throughout the year.
Berhampore.—Lieutenant-Colonel T. Grainger, M.D., I M.S., from 1st
January to 2nd February; Major J. H. T. Walsh, I.M.S., from
3rd February to 30th June; Major B. H. Deare, I.M.S., from
1st July to 29th December, and Major A. H. Nott, M.B., I.M.S.,
from 30th to 31st December.
I inspected all the asylums during the year and was glad to find that in
all cases due attention was being devoted to the comfort and health of the
inmates. In some it seemed that sufficient occupation was not provided for
the able-bodied lunatics, this being most notably the case in the European
Asylum. The new form of medical history sheet introduced during the year
is so far proving satisfactory and has been found an improvement. I take
this opportunity of recording my opinion that the asylums have been carefully
and judiciously managed throughout the year.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
S. H. BROWNE, M.D., COL., I.M.S.,
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Bengal.