(
3)
Statement VII.
The information furnished in this statement is largely drawn from the
medical history sheets which are required to be
sent with lunatics. That these medical history
sheets have been more carefully prepared appears from the fact that amongst
the new admissions the cases in which the cause of the disease is shown as
"not known" amounted to 49.09 per cent. as compared with 58.09 per cent.
in 1903. Still there is room for much improvement, and the entry " not
known " should appear less frequently. Amongst the specific causes mentioned
Ganja-smoking is by far the most frequent and important: it apparently takes
the place of alcohol in England in this respect. The influence of heredity
in the production of insanity is not as clearly shown in the returns as might
be expected. In English asylums it accounts for 21 per cent. of the admis-
sions. In Bengal the necessary information is often not obtainable.
Statements VIII, IX, X, XI,
A and B (Financial).
The total expenditure on the asylums, which amounted to Rs. 1,29,800,
shows a decrease of Rs. 6,965 as compared
with that for the previous years, which is due to a
diminution in the expenditure on the buildings
at Bhowanipore. Repairs and alterations which were not of an urgent
nature were held over pending the settlement of the question regarding
a central asylum. The cost per head of population was also less, being
Rs. 119-11-3 against Rs. 129-12-6 in 1903. Excluding the cost of the Bhowani-
pore European Asylum, the total expenditure on the remaining five institutions
was Rs. 1,05,908 as compared with Rs. 1,03,257 in the previous year, the
average cost per head being Rs. 101-5 against Rs. 101-12-4 in 1903. Diet
was as usual the heaviest item in the expenditure, the total outlay under this
head being Rs. 50,980-5-11 against Rs. 50,288-2-4 in 1903. The increase is
partly due to the increased number of inmates and partly to increased expendi-
ture in the Bhowanipore and Dullunda Asylums. The average cost per head
in these asylums shows an increase which the Superintendent explains
as being mainly due to a rise in the prices of food materials, but also to a
larger issue of fish, meat, sugar and onions, chiefly to those who were sick.
On the other hand in the Cuttack Asylum the cost of diet per head of average
strength fell from Rs. 47-3-1 in 1903 to Rs. 40-3-4 during the year under
review, the reduction being effected by a modification in the diet scale, and as
a result of a fall in prices.
A small increase of expenditure under the head of " contingencies"
occurred in the Dullunda and Berhampore Asylums which was due to the
purchase of bullocks, gardening implements and an incinerator
The receipts from paying patients who were more numerous rose from
Rs. 13,857 in 1903 to Rs. 14,700 during the year under report. An increase
occurred at all the asylums except Berhampore and Dullunda, but was most
marked at Bhowanipore and Dacca.
Statement X shows the results of manufactures in the asylums which pro-
duced a profit of Rs. 5,910 against Rs. 4,934 in 1903, the increase having
occurred at the Berhampore, Dacca and Patna Asylums. The decrease in
the profits at Dullunda is explained by the Superintendent as being due to
deaths amongst the dairy cattle, whilst at Berhampore the oil-pressing industry
was unusually profitable. Nearly 59 per cent of the lunatics were employed
on manufactures. On the whole all the asylums, with perhaps the exception
of Dullunda, were managed very economically.
General Remarks.—The asylums have been managed by their Superinten-
dents with judgement and care, every effort being made to render the lives of
their unfortunate inmates comfortable and healthy. The unsuitability of the
existing accommodation referred to in the report for 1903 renders this a difficult
task, and the establishment of a central asylum on modern lines under the
supervision of a special Medical officer will, if accomplished, mark an era in the
history of asylum management in Bengal. The question regarding the site
and construction of this central asylum is at present under the consideration
of Government. The necessity for such an establishment becomes more
evident from year to year, and there can be no doubt that improvement in the
existing arrangements is much needed.
The question of improved accommodation for the European and Eurasian
lunatics in a healthier situation is also under consideration. During the
past year 15 patients were admitted to the Bhowanipur Asylum as compared