( 7 )
raised, resulting in a net increase of Rs. 221 per mensem in the establishment
charges of the asylum. The Deputy Superintendent was also granted a staff
allowance of Rs. 25 per mensem, and the number and pay of some of the
menial staff were also increased during 1911, the total increased charge on this
account amounting to Rs. 48 per mensem.
The asylum staffs are generally reported to have worked satisfactorily.
The Superintendent at Berhampur specially mentions the excellent work done
by Military Assistant Surgeon Mann, the Deputy Superintendent.
Statement X.
17. Manufactures.—Altogether 56.72 per cent. of the lunatics were em-
ployed on various industries in 1909, 57.56 in
1910 and 59 51 in 1911. In the treatment of the
insane the value of occupation cannot be overrated, and I am glad to be able
to report that much greater interest was taken in the matter at Berhampore
and Patna. The work on which the lunatics were employed was judiciously
selected by the Superintendents concerned according to the nature of the
cases they had to deal with. As stated before, many of the lunatics are not
only unfit for any work, but refuse to do it. To stimulate hard-working and
well-behaved lunatics to take a greater interest in work, special indulgences
and rewards were granted to them. The Superintendents report that these
concessions were never abused by the recipients by purchasing prohibited or
contraband articles. These rewards also served as inducements to those who
were unwilling to work at all. The total net profits from manufactures
amounted to Rs. 7,213-7-7 in 1909, Rs. 8,769-7-6 in 1910 and Rs. 9,526-8-6 in
1911. At Patna there was a gradual increase, viz., Rs. 587-12-9 in 1909,
Rs. 48-8-8 in 1910 and Rs. 337-7-0 in 1911. The increased gain in 1909 was
due chiefly to the garden having been more productive and to lower prices
having been paid for raw materials. The latter reason also explains the
excess in 1911. Berhampore showed a diminution of Rs. 448-7-0 in 1909,
an excess of Rs. 1,507-7-3 in 1910 and Rs. 419-10-0 in 1911. The increase
in 1910 was due to larger profits from the bakery, the garden and the dairy.
The bakery was started in 1909 through the exertions of the Deputy Super-
intendent. It has proved to be most useful to the asylum and the public.
At the Banjetia Exhibition in 1910 and 1911 the Berhampore Asylum was
awarded several silver medals, many prizes of value and certificates for its
products. The dairy was a most useful and valuable adjunct of the asylum.
It was a great success in every respect and yielded a profit of Rs. 889-10-9 in
1911. I have seen and tasted many of the articles prepared in the asylum
bakery, and I can fully testify to their good quality.
18. General remarks.—Of recent years the administration of the Bengal
lunatic asylums has much improved, and the management of the different
asylums during the triennium has been uniformly satisfactory. The lunatics
have been well looked after, sympathetically treated, and properly clothed and
fed and the Superintendents have done all in their power to alleviate the
condition of the unfortunate people committed to their care. All the lunatics
are weighed monthly, but those suffering from pulmonary phthisis are
weighed fortnightly or oftener. The epileptic and suicidal patients are
properly isolated and the former wear distinctive and indestructible clothing.
I think I may say that greater attention has been paid during the triennium
to the dietary of the lunatics and so to arrange that it shall be sufficiently
varied, and in sufficient quantity, and to all the minute hygienic details in the
asylums. The lunatics have been sufficiently well clothed, and the infirm gang
system has been maintained, with great benefit to the weakly and debilitated.
Prophylactic remedies for malaria have been regularly issued in all the
asylums during the unhealthy seasons of each year. In order to try to brighten
the asylums and keep the lunatics more cheerful and contented, amusements of
various kinds have been provided at a cost of Rs. 452-4-6 in 1909 and Rs. 246-2
in 1910 and Rs. 309-4 in 1911. The Superintendent at Berhampore writes:—
During the Coronation celebrations the local Committee very kindly gave
a grant towards the expenses of a dinner with sweets, etc. This was much
appreciated." The local Club at Berhampore also kindly supplied the back
numbers of the leading periodicals for the European patients. Some of the
well-conducted lunatics were allowed in charge of keepers to go outside the
asylum walls and for carriage drives.