LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
17
26. Bazar medicines—Cost Rs. 330-4-6, against Rs. 192-13-3, or an increase
of Rs. 137-7-3. The excess at Dullunda and Dacca was insignificant. At
Patna there was an increase of Rs. 60-7-2, which the Superintendent explains
to be due to the purchase of certain European medicines locally for special
cases. Berhampore also expended Rs. 75 more than in last year by purchasing
locally certain sedative drugs for the treatment of excited cases. The Superin-
tendent says the results were satisfactory. Cuttack showed a saving.
27. Contingencies proper—Show an increase of Rs. 713-15-10, the figures
having been Rs. 7,967-2-2, against Rs. 7,253-2-4 in the previous year. At
Dullunda there was an increase of Rs. 574-8-6 due to the purchase of a clock
and the supply of uniform to the warders. Dacca spent Rs. 570-7-2 more
than in the previous year owing to the purchase of an incinerator and an iron
tank and drums for the storage of water. The increase at Patna was slight.
Cuttack showed an increase of Rs. 32-4, which is accounted for by the purchase
of a large quantity of disinfectants as precautions against plague. Berhampore
showed a saving of Rs. 465-14-3.
TABLE XV.
Dullunda ...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack
...
Berhampore
1898.
Rs.
11
8
5
11
8
A.
14
5
5
8
7
P.
5
4
2
8
9
1899.
Rs.
15
11
5
10
7
A.
2
1
9
0
0
P.
2
2
11
8
5
28. Repairs and maintenance—Cost Rs. 806-2-3, or Rs. 148-12-8 more than
in 1898. The increase of Rs. 80-1-3 at Dullunda is accounted for by repairs
done to the water-pump and gas-fittings and to
the purchase of water-buckets for the use of inmates
at night. At Patna there were some petty repairs,
which increased the expenditure by Rs. 72-1-5.
At Berhampore Rs. 71-12-6 were spent for repair-
ing some of the out-houses. No such expenditure
was incurred in 1898. Dacca and Cuttack showed
a saving. The table in the margin shows the
average cost per head on account of contingencies.
29. Rates and taxes.—The cost on this account was Rs. 1,015-15 less than in
last year. Dullunda shows a reduction of Rs. 1,469-13, due to no arrears having
been paid as in 1898. There was a small increase at Cuttack, attributable to the
re-assessment of the buildings. The cost at Berhampore went up from
Rs. 662-10 to Rs. 1,112 in 1899, owing to the levying of water-rates. The cost
in other asylums remained the same as in the previous year.
30. Printed forms and stationery.—The cost was almost the same as in
1898, viz., Rs. 117-10-6, against Rs. 117-8-4 in the previous year.
31. European medicines—Show a decrease of Rs. 168-9-5. Dullunda showed
a saving. The variations at Patna and Cuttack were slight. At Dacca the cost
was more by Rs. 53-9, owing to the supply of quinine as a prophylactic instead
of cinchonidine, which was not available in the Medical Store Depôt. At Berham-
pore the cost of medicines supplied from this source was less by Rs. 87-2-4,
but, as has been stated above, certain medicines were purchased locally for
the treatment of mental symptoms. On this subject the Superintendent was
asked to submit a report in paragraph 31 of my report for last year. He
states that the use of sulphonal and other sedative drugs in the treatment of
excited cases was followed with good results. Bromide of potassium was also
largely used in epileptic cases, with the result that the number of fits per head
was much less and great improvement followed. The Superintendent attaches
great value to the use of drugs which, he says, should take the place of res-
traint, mechanical or otherwise.
32. The Public Works Department spent Rs. 4,699-7-6, or Rs. 2,173-7-1
less than in 1898. This is an expenditure over which the asylum authorities
have no control. Dullunda shows an increase of Rs. 646-11-3, due to quadrennial
repairs, which were commenced during the year under report. Patna, Cuttack,
and Berhampore spent less. At Dacca there was a slight increase.
D