( 4 )
peritonitis. The deaths from other causes do not call for comment. At
Cuttack there were two deaths in 1902, against nil in 1901. One was due to
phthisis and one to burn. Berhampore had 16 deaths, against 11 in 1901.
Two of the 16 deaths resulted from cholera, four from phthisis, two each from
pneumonia and exhaustion, and one was a suicidal death. The causes in
the remaining cases do not call for special notice. Bhawanipur had only one
death more than in 1901, but the rate of mortality increased by over 28 per
cent. Dullunda has showed gradual falling-off in the death-rate during the
three years under report. Judging from the daily average sick and the rate of
mortality in each asylum during the three years under review, except Cuttack,
where the figures are so small, Berhampore seems to be comparatively much
healthier than any of the other asylums in the Province.
14. Injuries and accidents—Numbered 33 in 1900, 24 in 1901, and 25 in
1902. Most of the injuries were unimportant and were either self-inflicted or
cases of assault by lunatics on lunatics. There were three serious cases in 1902.
At Patna a lunatic fell into a drain in a fit and sustained concussion of
the brain, from which he died. An epileptic lunatic at Cuttack while attempt-
ing to light a cigar was seized with a fit, fell into the fire and had a severe
burn to which he succumbed. At Berhampore a lunatic committed suicide by
strangling himself with the string of his drawers. In all these cases enquiries
were held by the local Magistrates who found that the asylum staff were not
to blame.
15. There were two escapes from the asylums in 1900, none in 1901, and
one in 1902. The escape in 1902 occurred at Dullunda. The lunatic had not
been recaptured up to the end of the year. The warder on duty was repri-
manded for his negligence.
16. European lunatics.—The total number admitted and re-admitted was 16
in 1900, 11 in 1901, and 21 in 1902. Of the 21 in 1902, 9 were Europeans,
11 East Indians, and one West Indian. Sixteen lunatics were discharged from
the asylum in 1902, against seven in the previous year, the increase being due
to larger number of recoveries. The percentage of the latter on average
strength was 21.77 and 10.58 respectively. One lunatic was transferred to
Dullunda in 1902. Admissions to hospital numbered 6 in 1900, 5 in 1901, and
7 in 1902. Phthisis was more common in 1902 and caused 4 deaths. The
death-rate on this account went up from 10.58 in 1901 to 13.60 in 1902.
The total expenditure showed an increase of Rs. 9,628 in 1900 owing
chiefly to Public Works charges. The expenditure in 1901 (Rs. 28,697) was less
by Rs. 1,383, because the charges on account of buildings and repairs were not
as heavy as in 1900. In 1902 the total cost showed a further reduction of
Rs. 1,239 owing to less public works charges. The cost of superintendence was
greater by Rs. 330 in 1902, owing to the increment sanctioned by Government
to the pay of the matron, Mrs. Lawton. In 1902 new warm clothing was issued
to a larger number of weakly patients, which accounted for an increase of
Rs. 382 under this heading. The average cost per head was Rs. 776 in 1900,
Rs. 759 in 1901, and Rs. 747 in 1902. The amount realised from paying
patients was Rs. 14,817 in 1900, Rs. 10,526 in 1901, and Rs. 12,705 in 1902.
The decrease in 1901 is attributed to the admission of fewer paying patients,
while the excess in 1902 was due to the recovery of arrears from certain
patients. Excluding these payments the cost per lunatic was Rs. 394 in 1900,
Rs. 481 in 1901, and Rs. 402 in 1902.
Statement VIII.
17. Finance.—The total expenditure of all asylums was Rs. 1,30,774-8-10
in 1900, Rs. 1,39,516-4-9 in 1901, and Rs.
1,29,018-1-8 in 1902, the cost per lunatic being
Rs. 139-9-4, Rs. 141-7-2 and Rs. 125-10-8, respectively. The gross cost in
1900 and 1901 was more by Rs. 16,986-4-5 and Rs. 8,741-11-11, respectively,
owing chiefly to a larger expenditure on diet and public works. In 1902 the
cost showed a reduction of Rs. 10,498-3-1, which is mainly attributable to
lessened public works charges.
Superintendence and Establishment proper.—The expenditure under these
headings showed little change in the past three years. The cost per lunatic was
Rs. 49-2-2 in 1900, Rs. 46-6-6 in 1901, Rs. 45-2-10 in 1902. The slight dif-
ferences are accounted for by the variations in the average population among
whom the cost was divided.