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During 1911 new rules regarding the services of the subordinate staff of
the asylums were issued with the sanction of Government, the objects being
to secure the enlistment of a better class of men and to prevent them from
leaving their posts at will to the detriment of the interests of the asylum.
Under the new rules all the members of the subordinate staff of an asylum are
required to sign a declaration as to their antecedents. In the cases of keepers
the entries in the declaration form have not only to be verified by the police,
but the keepers are also required to furnish a monetary security under an
agreement that they will forfeit it, if they resign their services without giving
two months' notice, or if they are found guilty of misdemeanour.
The
Superintendent of the Berhampore Lunatic Asylum reports that the keepers
object very much to the security bond. He states that many men come for
enlistment, but as soon as the question of security is mentioned they go away.
He recommends that this clause of the new rules should be cancelled. I have
asked him to submit the matter separately for reconsideration.
The final decision of Government on the proposed construction of Central
Lunatic Asylums at Ranchi for European and Indian insanes, is in abeyance,
owing to the constitutional changes. The Dacca Asylum under the new
arrangements has been added to the Bengal Presidency, whilst Patna has
gone out of it, and has been allotted to the new province of Bihar and
Orissa. Thus in Bengal there will be three Lunatic Asylums, viz., at Berham-
pore, Dacca and Bhowanipur. The whole question of the provision of increased
and better accommodation for lunatics (particularly for Europeans and
Anglo-Indians) which is much needed, is under the consideration of
Government.
The Superintendents report that the tell-tale time-pieces which were
supplied to the asylums in 1909 have been very useful. The new Manual
of Rules for the management of Lunatic Asylums in Bengal, which was
brought into use in 1910, is reported to have been of great help to these
officers.
19. The following officers held charge of the lunatic asylums during
1911: —
Bhowanipur.—Major J. W. D. Megaw, I.M.S., from 1st January to 2nd
March; Captain H. B. Foster, I.M.S., from 3rd March to 29th March; and
Captain H. B. Steen, I.M.S., from 30th March to the end of the year.
Patna.—Lieutenant-Colonel C.E. Sunder, I.M.S., throughout the year.
Berhampore.—Major C. J. Robertson-Milne, I.M.S., 1st January to 28th
February and again from 1st to 7th April, Major J. G. P. Murray, I.M.S.
(Civil Surgeon), held charge in addition to his own duties from 1st to 31st
March 1911 and from 8th April to 16th May; Captain A. S. M. Peebles, I.M.S.,
from 17th May to 31st December.
20. My predecessor, Colonel Macræ, I.M.S., inspected all the asylums in
1909. Since I assumed charge of the office on the 25th April 1910, I have ins-
pected the Bhowanipur, Patna and Berhampore Asylums, and can testify to the
unremitting care bestowed by the superior staffs on the welfare of the lunatics
and to the general excellence of the management of the institutions.
I cannot conclude this report without specially referring to the lament-
able death from typhoid fever in May 1911 of Major C. J. Robertson-Milne,
I.M.S., the Superintendent at Berhampore. He was well known as one of our
most zealous officers, and as one who did much for the improvement of the
administration of the Berhampore Asylum. He was devoted to his work, and
bad all the qualifications for asylum management, strong common sense, wide
sympathy and tact. By his premature death the Government have lost an
excellent officer, and the Indian Medical Service one of the most distinguished
amongst the small number of alienists in that service.
G. F. A. HARRIS, COLONEL, M.D., I.M.S.,
Inspector- General of Civil Hospitals, Bengal.
DARJEELING,
The 11th May 1912.