LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
31
In reporting on the expenditure of the asylum in 1877,I ventured to point out the
fallacy that must attend the use of averages in estimating the cost incurred by the State for
the care of lunatics of several classes receiving treatment in accordance with their condition.
of life and payment. No orders having been received to the contrary, I append the usual
statement of expenditure, which confirms what I have said by shewing that the average
patient has cost for establishment alone nearly double the sum which has covered his whole
expenses, establishment included. The table exhibits a gross outlay of Rs. 25,106 against
Rs. 33,303 in 1877, an average gross cost per patient of Rs. 897 against Rs. 1,148, and an
average net cost of Rs. 316 against Rs. 572.
Statement showing the average daily number of lunatics for the year, the total yearly expendi-
ture, average cost of each inmate, and the average cost of each item of the charge per man
during the year 1878.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Average daily number of inmates throughout the year ... No.
Ditto
ditto
ditto
employed in labour ...
Total expenditure for the year ...
...
... Rs.
Income from lunatics' labour, including profits and estimat
ed value of labour ... ... ... ...
Payments by friends of lunatics for maintenance
... „
Average yearly cost of each inmate as per item 3
... „
Ditto
ditto
lunatic (including item 5)
during the year ...
...
...
... „
28
......
25,106
......
16,266
897
316
Average yearly expenditure of each patient in relation to—
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Establishment
...
...
...
... „
Diet ... ... ... ... ... „
Bazar medicine ... ... ... ...
Contingencies
...
...
...
... „
Clothing
...
...
...
... „
596
153
......
51
29
REMARKS.—Including Rs. 2,703 outstanding.
The reduced total outlay was partly due to accidental causes and partly to reduction of
controllable expenditure. In 1877 we debited, as estimated and actual charges for removal
of lunatics to England with sea outfits, a sum of Rs. 1,585. In 1878 no such charge was
incurred. In 1877 an Overseer was entertained almost throughout the year. In 1878
we were deprived of the Overseer for six months, and a saving of Rs. 623 was the
result. A small saving arose from the temporary want of a clerk. The charge for
menial servants was reduced by Rs. 386, and that for diet fell from Rs. 8,866 to Rs. 4,275,
our paying patients consisting chiefly of the less expensive classes. Contingencies which,
in 1877, under requirements then reported, rose to Rs. 2,793, fell in 1878 to Rs. 877; but
to this must be added Rs. 542 for lighting, which was included in the contingencies of 1877,
making Rs. 1,419 against Rs. 2,793. In 1878 we debit Rs. 380 for municipal rates, which
were omitted in 1877, as the money was not actually paid in the asylum. With a view to
ascertaining, as far as possible, the real cost of pauper lunatics to the Government, an attempt
has been made to separate the charges for the several classes. It has been found possible
to do this only with the item of diet. The public establishment, working for all alike, with
the exception of the personal attendants, cannot be separately debited, and the same is true
respecting contingent expenses. The cost for diet of first-class patients varies much with
individuals, but has not within the time observed exceeded Rs. 32 per mensem; that for
the second-class has been about Rs. 17 ; that for the third-class from Rs. 10 to Rs. 12, and
that for paupers from Rs. 8 to Rs. 10, the latter variations being due to larger use of meat
in the cold months of the year.
The new system of payments has continued to work very satisfactorily, producing in 1878
an income only slightly below that of the previous year. The number of paying patients
has been the same, but the first-class has not been so numerous, hence the reduced payments.
On the other hand, we credit in 1878 as outstanding a sum of Rs. 791 as due by the Port
Fund for maintenance of sailors.
The last credit arises from an application which I made for payment for seamen on the
same principle that governs the reception of this class into general hospitals. A reference
was made to Government, to which I have received no formal reply. Nevertheless, I have
included the amount due in the income of the year. The entire outstanding claims amount
to Rs. 2,702-15-6, all of which will probably be recovered early, with the exception of Rs. 12-6-2,
which will, I fear, have to be written off. Concerning the money due by Captain Andrews of
the Invalid Establishment, for maintenance of his wife, the orders of Government have been
received since the year closed.
In conclusion, I have again to bring to notice the valuable services of Mr. DeVere, the
Deputy Superintendent, and his wife, the Matron. A large portion of the income of the
year has been obtained by their industrious search for information concerning the means
of families, and the number of private patients has been largely due to the kindness and
consideration of these excellent public servants for every one under their care.