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17. European lunatics.—The question of providing improved accommo-
dation for the European and Eurasian lunatics at Ranchi is now under the
consideration of Government. The total number admitted and readmitted
was 23 in 1903, 15 in 1904 and 19 in 1905. Of the 19 in 1905, 4 were
Europeans and 15 East Indians.
The daily average number was 39.20 in 1903, 38.99 in 1904 and 37.47 in
1905. There was some want of room felt towards the end of 1905, which has
been already referred to. There were 4 deaths in 1903, 6 in 1904, and 3 in
1905. Phthisis caused 3 deaths in 1904 and 2 in 1905.
The total expenditure was Rs. 33,508 in 1903, Rs. 23,892 in 1904 and
Rs. 23,588 in 1905, the total cost per head being Rs. 855, Rs. 613 and Rs. 630
respectively. The high cost in 1903 was caused by public works charges.
Deducting the payments from friends of paying patients, which was Rs. 11,783
in 1903, Rs. 12,613 in 1904, and Rs. 12,817 in 1905, the cost per lunatic was
Rs. 554, Rs. 289 and Rs. 287 respectively. During my inspection of the
asylum, I observed the male lunatics apparently too idle, and lacking some more
amusement and occupation. It is difficult to find occupation for them within
such a limited space. Attempts were made before to start some industry, but
with little or no success.
Statement VIII.
18. Finance.—The total expenditure of all asylums was Rs. 1,10,579-13-3 in
1903, Rs. 1,03,239-10-4 in 1904 and Rs. 1,15,408-15-9
in
1905, average Rs.
1,09,742-13-3 against
Rs. 1,06,241-15 in the last triennium. The cost per lunatic was Rs. 141-7 in
1903, Rs. 126-10-10 in 1904 and Rs. 137-13-8 in 1905. The gross cost was
more in 1903 and 1905 owing chiefly to larger expenditure on public works,
while in 1904 it showed a reduction due to the charges on this account being
less at Bhawanipore. In 1905 the additions and alterations in the new
buildings at Berhampore mainly account for the increase in that year. Exclud-
ing the public works charges, the average cost per head was Rs. 123-1-11 in
1903, Rs. 121-10-1 in 1904 and Rs. 125-14-9 in 1905. Deducting again the
amount received from paying patients, the cost per lunatic was Rs. 105-10-8,
Rs. 104-2-7 and Rs. 108-5-10, respectively. The total expenditure on the
three native asylums was Rs. 77,071-13-8 in 1903, Rs. 79,347-10-4 in 1904
and Rs. 91,820-15-9 in 1905, the cost per head being Rs. 103-12-6, Rs. 102-4-1
and Rs. 114-13-1, respectively.
As usual diet cost the largest amount, viz., Rs. 38,672-3-1 in 1903.
Rs. 39,780-13-3 in 1904 and Rs. 39,911-2 in 1905. The increase in 1904 was
chiefly due to a rise in the prices of food materials. At Patna there was an
increase of Rs. 1,312-10-11 in 1905 attributable to higher daily average
strength. There was a saving in the other Asylums chiefly at Berhampore
where the prices of food-grains were cheaper than in Calcutta. The average
cost per lunatic on account of diet was Rs. 49-7-5 in 1903, Rs. 48-13 in 1904
and Rs. 47-10-9 in 1905.
Although the amalgamation of Dullunda and Berhampore asylums caused a
saving in the sanctioned monthly cost of establishment, the post of the Deputy
Superintendent at Dullunda was not held by a Military Assistant Surgeon
until July 1905. Thus there was an increase in the actual expenditure on
account of superintendence in that year, the cost under that head being:
Rs. 17,493-8-8 in 1903, Rs. 17,560-10 in 1904 and Rs. 18,116-6-8 in 1905.
Establishment charges proper varied but little in 1903 and 1904, but in 1905
they were greater by Rs. 762-8-1 owing partly to the effect of the entertain-
ment of extra temporary warders and establishment for the new garden at
Berhampore having been felt during the greater portion of that year and
partly to the appointment of extra servants for paying patients at Bhawani-
pore.
Under the head of "Contingencies proper" there was a small saving in
1903, but in 1904 the purchase of bullocks, garden implements and incinerator
caused an excess of Rs. 684-8-1, while in 1905 the removal of lunatics from
Dullunda to Berhampore and the purchase of furniture and other miscellaneous
articles account for a further increase of Rs. 5,121-5-1 in that year.
The cost of clothing amounted to Rs. 3,402-2-9 in 1903, 3,973-14-6 in
1904 and 4,723-13-3 in 1905. The increase in 1904 was chiefly due to the
purchase of new blankets at Patna and Dullunda and in 1905 to the same
cause at Cuttack and Berhampore.