( 4 )
was increased by Rs. 20 per mensem, while at Patna certain members of the
menial staff received an increment, costing Rs, 18 per mensem.
Statement X.
12. The Manufacturing Department yielded a net profit of Rs. 2,530-9-6
against Rs. 3,534-10 in 1906. Patna supplied
asylum labour for the construction of a feeding-
platform and a road, and earned Rs. 400, but the account shows a reduction of
Rs. 221-4-3 as compared with the previous year, due to the revaluation of
plant and machinery. Berhampore showed a diminished profit of Rs. 782-12-3,
due to higher rates paid for raw materials and to reduction in the manufacture
of mustard-oil. The Superintendent reports that the discontinuance of
labour in connection with mustard-oil-pressing which 1 suggested last year
was decidedly beneficial to the patients who were employed instead on other
more suitable and genial occupations. He says: "The carpentery shop of
the asylum has been particularly useful, and can turn out well-made
articles of furniture." Four of the Europeans who came on transfer from
Bhawanipur were taught basket-making. The rest are also employed in keeping
the compound clean and in garden work. Occupation of lunatics is an essential
part of the treatment of the insanes. This was fully attended to both at
Berhampore and Patna. Altogether 58 per cent. of the lunatics were employed
on manufactures in 1907. As an inducement to work and an incentive to
greater activity, hard-working and well-behaved lunatics were rewarded in
various ways during the year under report. The dairy at Berhampore is a
model of its kind. It was indeed most useful. The Superintendent, however
shows a loss of Rs. 261-12-9 in its working during 1907, which he attribute
to the purchase of four cows at a cost of Rs. 291-14; but, according to book-
keeping, this amount should also be added to the value of stock. This will be
pointed out to the Superintendent.
13. General remarks.—Both at Patna and Berhampore several serious
defects in sanitary arrangements and buildings were removed in the year under
review which, in a great measure, contributed to the satisfactory results already
noticed above. Every effort was made by the Superintendents to make the
lives of the lunatics contented, comfortable and healthy. The requirements of
the large number of lunatics at Berhampore received the anxious care of Major
C. J. Robertson-Milne, I.M.S., who devoted himself to effecting several improve-
ments in the Berhampore asylum, to working it on modern lines and to
improving the Warder service—a most important item in asylum management.
The scheme for the construction of a Central Lunatic Asylum for natives
at Ranchi was submitted by the Local Government to the Government of
India; but at the instance of that Government it was revised again in 1907 by
a Committee appointed by the Local Government. The scheme for the
establishment of a Central European Lunatic Asylum at Ranchi was also, by
the direction of the Government of India, revised by a Committee whose report
embodying suggestions will shortly be submitted to Government. Both these
asylums have been planned on the Villa Colony system, and, if carried out as
designed, will be superior to any similar institutions ever built in Asia.
In the present asylum for Europeans at Bhawanipur 28 lunatics were
admitted, including 6 re-admissions against 20 in the previous year. Of
these, 16 were Europeans, 11 East Indians, and 1 American. The number
recovered was 9 against 7 in 1906, the percentage on daily average
strength being 23.29 and 18.37 respectively. There was only one death against
three in the previous year. The total expenditure was Rs. 27,028 against
Rs. 26,436 in 1906, the cost per head being Rs. 699-7-8 and Rs. 693-13-8,
respectively. Deducting the receipts from paying patients, the cost per lunatic
was Rs. 368-11-4 against Rs. 399-2-6 in 1906.
14. The following Medical Officers were in charge during the year :—
Bhawanipur.—Captain J. C. H. Leicester, I.M.S., throughout the year.
Patna.—Major B. H. Deare, I.M.S., from 1st January to 16th October, and
Major B. C. Oldham, I.M.S., from the 17th October to the 31st December.
Berhampore.—Major C. J. Robertson-Milne, I.M.S., throughout the year.
15. I inspected all the asylums oftener than once during the year, and
am glad to be able to report that they were well and carefully managed by the
several officers mentioned above during 1907.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
R. MACRAE, M.B., COL., I.M.S.,
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Bengal.