LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
21
against cold. The Superintendent of the Patna Asylum remarks: " Care was
taken, as soon as the weather became cold, to provide each lunatic with a warm
covering." This statement seems to conflict with the remark made by him,
in connection with the heavy mortality of the year, that the lunatics are not
sufficiently clothed.
44. Prophylactic medicines were regularly issued to the inmates of the
Dullunda, Dacca, Patna and Cuttack Asylums. The results were generally
satisfactory. None were issued at Berhampore. The Superintendent states that
he previously tried them elsewhere, but found them to be of no value. He
has been instructed to introduce the system at Berhampore and to report
the result after six months. The warming of wards was carried on at Dacca
and Cuttack as far as possible. It was not found necessary elsewhere.
45. The question of the formation of a central lunatic asylum for Bengal
was considered during the year. I suggested that the asylum should be located
at Berhampore, which was a better place in my opinion than others which had
been proposed, from a sanitary point of view. Moreover, there was plenty of
room near the existing asylum which might be extended for the purpose.
After much consideration and examination of the different sites as well as care-
ful investigation of statistics, &c., this situation has now been approved by
Government, and plans and estimates have been prepared for the additional
buildings which are required.
46. The following Medical Officers held charge of the asylums during the
year:—
Dullunda.—Captain F. O'Kinealy, I.M.S., from 1st January to 27th
July, and again from 4th October to the end of the year;
Captain E. A. R. Newman, I.M.S., from 28th July to 3rd
October.
Dacca.—Lieutenant-Colonel R. Macrae, I.M.S., from 1st January to 25th
July, and again from 25th October to the close of the year;
Major C. R. M. Green, I.M.S., from 26th July to 24th October
Patna.—Major R. H. Whitwell, I.M.S., from the 1st to the 13th January;
Lieutenant-Colonel R. Cobb, I.M.S., from the 14th January to
the 10th August; Captain F. P. Maynard, I.M.S., from the
11th August to the 9th September, and Lieutenant-Colonel
J. ffrench-Mullen, I.M.S., from the 10th September to the 31st
December.
Cuttack.—Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Zorab, I.M.S., thoughout the year.
Berhampore.—Major J. H. T. Walsh, I.M.S., all through the year.
47. Establishment.—The Superintendent of the Dullunda Asylum writes in
high terms of the good work of Mr. T. H. Lawton, the Deputy Superintendent
of the Bhawanipur Asylum, who held the post of the Deputy Superintendent
of the Dullunda Asylum in addition to his own duties throughout the year.
Mrs. H. F. Weston, the matron, died during the year. Mrs. M. Ager, who was
acting for her, was found unsuitable and discharged. For some time the work
of the matron was performed by one of the female keepers, and on the 18th July
Mrs. H. Donelan was appointed permanently. She is reported to have worked
well. The Superintendent also refers to the excellent work done by the Civil
Hospital Assistant, Babu Trailokhya Nath Banerjee, who is said to be excep-
tionally qualified for asylum work. He has been allowed to join the special
medico-legal training class at the Campbell Medical School for six months.
The clerk, Babu Shama Prosonno Bhuttacharjee, is also favourably men*
tioned by the Superintendent. Two warders were dismissed for striking a
lunatic. The general conduct of the establishment was fairly satisfactory.
The Superintendent of the Dacca Asylum testifies to the experience and
skill of the overseer, Babu Romes Chandra Sil, in the management of lunatics.
He is, however, reported to be extremely dilatory and was found fault with
the management of the dairy. The Civil Hospital Assistant is reported
to be unsuited for asylum work. The Superintendent will be asked to
submit a special report about his work. He says the new grades of
pay sanctioned by Government for the warders have given satisfaction,
although it is still difficult to recruit good men. To obtain them, better