22
LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
terms must be offered. The general conduct of the establishment has been
fairly satisfactory.
The Overseer of the Patna Asylum, Mr. Slater, is reported to be an ener-
getic and capable officer. Mrs Slater, the matron, performed her duties in a
very satisfactory manner. The work of the Civil Hospital Assistant is also
favourably reported on.
At Cuttack the Overseer, Benjamin Naik, and the Civil Hospital Assistant
are reported to have worked satisfactorily.
The Overseer at Berhampore, Babu Mohendro Nath Roy, was granted an
extension of one year's service from the 31st October 1899. He is reported
to have performed his work well. The Superintendent does not report favour-
ably of the work of the Civil Hospital Assistant.
In last year's report I remarked that the question of improving the posi-
tion of the warders was carefully considered, but no satisfactory conclusion
was come to mainly on the ground of expense. The subject first attracted
my notice during my inspection of the asylums, and I suggested the improve-
ment of the position of warders, as a good staff of keepers is one of the condi-
tions of success in the administration of lunatic asylums. The Director-
General, Indian Medical Service, in paragraph 20 of his notes on the reports
on Lunatic Asylums in India for the year 1898 suggests the abolition of all
forms of restraint, and sees no reason why the Indian keeper should not be
improved as the modern English warder has been. The ideal should certainly
be aimed at, and I have drawn the special attention of the Superintendents to
his remarks, but, as he observes, it will call for extra expenditure, which at
present stands in the way of securing suitable men for such work.
48. The asylums were efficiently managed during the year under report
by the Superintendents, who were unremitting in their care of the unfor-
tunate people committed to their charge.
EUROPEAN LUNATIC ASYLUM, BHAWANIPUR.
49. The following table gives the main facts with regard to the popula-
tion of this asylum during the year under report and in the previous year:—
Remaining on 1st January ... ... ...
Admitted during the year ... ... ...
Readmitted
... ... ... ...
Total ...
Discharged cured ... ... ... ...
Despatched to Europe under Merchant Shipping Act ...
Transferred to care of friends ... ... ...
Made over to Military authorities ... ... ...
Despatched to Europe as still insane ... ...
Discharged otherwise ... ... ... ...
Died
...
...
...
...
Total ...
Remaining on 31st December ...
1898.
35
13
5
53
4
...
9
...
...
3
2
18
35
1899.
35
17
2
54
5
...
7
...
1
...
4
17
37
50. Admissions.—The numbers admitted and re-admitted into the asylum
were 19, against 18 in the previous year. Of the 19, 15 were Europeans, 2 East
Indians, and 2 Jews. There were 2 re-admissions, against 5 in the preceding
year. One was made over to his relatives, as not improved, but was sent back
to the asylum after 4 months and 8 days. The other was discharged cured
as a non-criminal lunatic, but was received back into the asylum as a criminal
lunatic after 2 years and 19 days.
51. Recoveries.—There were 5 recoveries, against 4 in 1898, the percentage
being 13.70 and 10.81, respectively.
52. Accommodation—Remained unchanged and was sufficient for 42 persons,
viz., 23 males and 19 females. There was no overcrowding in the male