( 6 )
1908 the average cost per head was more because the daily average number of
patients was less than in 1907.
22. The amounts realized from the friends of paying patients totalled
Rs. 11,228 in 1906, Rs. 12,781 in 1907 and Rs. 10,943 in 1908. In 1907
there were more patients of this class than in 1906, while in 1908 the reverse
was the case. Deducting these amounts the cost per lunatic was Rs. 399-2-6
in 1906, Rs. 368-11-4 in 1907 and Rs. 447-10-1 in 1908.
Statement VIII.
23. Shows the income and
expenditure of the Asylums.
The total amount spent on their up-keep was
Rs. 1,21,671-6-8 in 1906, Rs. 1,62,593-13-7 in
1907 and Rs. 1,64,311-0-0 in 1908, average Rs. 1,49,525-6-9 against
Rs. 1,09,742-13-3 in the previous three years including the cost of the Cuttack
Asylum, closed in 1906. The cost per lunatic was Rs. 147-1-9 in 1906,
Rs, 191-7-1 in 1907 and Rs. 193-0-1 in 1908. The factor which has influenced
the total expenditure in the past three years is the abnormal rise in the price
of food-stuffs. Other contributory causes are mentioned below. Excluding
public works charges, the average cost per head was Rs. 138-11-8 in 1906,
Rs. 169-7-11 in 1907 and Rs. 179-10-1 in 1908, but if the amount received
from paying patients be deducted the cost will be Rs. 121-12-1, Rs. 151-14 3
and Rs. 163-8-9, respectively. The total expenditure on the two Native
Asylums was Rs. 95,235-6-8 in 1906, Rs. 1,35,565-13-7 in 1907 and
Rs. 1,38,726-0-0 in 1908, the cost per head being 120-11-3, 147-3-8 and
Rs. 169-7-5 respectively.
The cost of diet was the principal item of expenditure, viz., Rs. 51,500-2-1
in 1906, Rs. 64,079-4-10 in 1907 and Rs. 75,727-2-0 in 1908, the cost per
head being Rs. 62-4-3, Rs. 75-7-3 and Rs. 88-15-3 respectively. Besides
the general cause mentioned above the diet scales at Patna and Bhownipur
were improved in 1906, which also contributed to the increase of Rs. 11,589
in the total expenditure of that year. Another reason for the increase in
1908 is the larger daily number of lunatics at Berhampore as well as the issue
of better quality of food to the inmates at Patna.
Charges on account of superintendence amounted to Rs. 19,373-0-0 in
1906, Rs. 27,975-14-7 in 1907 and Rs. 24,176-3-8 in 1908. The appointment
of a whole-time Superintendent at Berhampore in October 1906 was chiefly
responsible for the excess in that year as well as in 1907. In the latter year
the promotion of that officer to higher rank also added to the cost. The saving
in 1908 was mainly due to the post having been held by an officer of lower
rank during the absence on leave of the permanent incumbent. The cost per
head was Rs. 23-6-9 in 1906, Rs. 32-15-1 in 1907 and Rs. 28-6-4 in 1908. As
regards establishment charges proper which totalled Rs 23,306-3-5 in 1906,
Rs. 28,361-3-2 in 1907 and Rs. 29,539-8-6 in 1908, it should be stated that the
large increase of Rs. 5,054-15 9 in 1907 was caused by the grant of grain
compensation allowance to the subordinate establishment and by the additions
to the menial staff at Berhampore sanctioned during that year. The latter
drew pay throughout the year 1908. This fact as well as the entertainment
in this asylum in 1908 of some extra servants for the European lunatics
transferred from Bhowanipore and of two female hospital attendants accounts
for an increase of Rs. 1,178-5-4 in that year. The cost per lunatic was
Rs. 28-2-11 in 1906, Rs. 33-6-4 in 1907 and Rs. 34-11-2 in 1908.
Under the head of contingencies proper there was a large saving, viz.,
Rs. 3,233 8-7 in 1906, because the special charges incurred in connection with
the removal of lunatics from Dullanda in 1905, were not repeated in 1906;
in 1907 there was an increase of Rs. 1,075-7-9 attributable to the purchase of
furniture, crockery and bedsteads for the European lunatics transferred from
Bhowanipore. In 1908 there was a small increase, viz , Rs. 457-3-0. In this
year Patna spent Rs. 490-11-9 more than in 1907 by purchasing yarns and
thread for making cloth and durries, and by spending larger sums for amuse-
ments of lunatics and disinfectants. For repairs and maintenance there was
an excess of expenditure at Patna in 1907, viz., Rs. 595-14-3 owing to the
construction of a feeding platform and repairs to a road. Rates and taxes
accounted for an expenditure of Rs. 3,407-6-0 in 1906, Rs. 3,606-12-0 in
1907 and Rs. 4,054-5-6 in 1908. In the last of these years such charges for
the fourth quarter of 1908-1909 were drawn at Bhowanipore in December
1908. The cost per head on account of contingencies, excluding rates
and taxes, was Rs. 11-8-5 in 1906, Rs. 13-3-1 in 1907 and Rs. 14-0-9
in 1908.