5
this fell to Rs. 65-10-11 in 1901 and to Rs. 64-6-6 in 1902. The comparatively
high rates in 1900 for both institutions were due to the famine and high prices.
STATEMENT IX.
Establishment.
18. The warders and keepers are poorly paid—the Superintendents do
not allude to this in their reports for 1902, but I scarcely
think a good class of man can be got as keeper on
Rs. 6 a month. The staff of warders in the Jubbulpore Asylum appears to
require strengthening.
STATEMENT X.
Profit and loss on manufac-
tures.
19. The difference between the profits of the two asylums is mainly due
to the dairy farm in the Nagpur Asylum. The reports
of the Superintendents do not explain the diminished
profits in 1902. There are no manufactures proper in the Nagpur Asylum ; in
Jubbulpore, the asylum looms provide all the clothing material, both cotton and
woollen, while the oil presses provide the necessary oil for diet and lighting.
GENERAL REMARKS.
Prophylatics.
20. Nagpur Asylum.—During 1902, 15 grains of quinine were given once
a week from the 24th July to the end of the year. In
the Jubbulpore Asylum full doses of quinine were not
issued during 1902. A mixture containing one grain of quinine and one grain of
sulphate of iron was, however, issued daily from July to November, and apparently
with good result. Special anti-scorbutics were issued in both asylums, and
consisted chiefly of limes, dried mango and tamarind; papaya and roselle were
also used. In either case, the special anti-scorbutics were for the most part
produced in the asylum garden. At my inspection of the Nagpur Asylum in
November last, I thought the daily ration of oil and condiments too small, and
recommended an increase.
Injuries.
21. Nagpur Asylum.—There were 9 admissions into hospital from this
cause during the period under report, viz., 2 in 1900,
none in 1901 and 7 in 1902. Four were contusions
caused by epileptics injuring themselves by falling during a fit. While quarrelling
among themselves, 1 lunatic sprained his wrist-joint, 2 received scalp wounds
and 1 a kick on his abdomen. One patient was thrown down by the breeding bull
and sustained a fracture of the collar-bone. Jubbulpore Asylum.—Only one injury
is reported to have occurred during the triennial period and this in the person
of an old blind and lame lunatic, aged about 90 years ; he was accidentally
pushed by another lunatic and fell down, with the result that he sustained a
fracture of the neck of the thigh-bone.
Escapes.
22. Four escapes are reported to have occurred during the period under
review, viz., 3 from the Nagpur and 1 from the Jubbul-
pore Asylum. Of those who effected their escape from the
former institution, 2 were criminals and 1 a non-criminal. The criminals were
admitted on the 6th January and 26th June 1901, respectively. They were con-
fined in the same barrack with others and managed to get away on the night of
the 27th June 1901 by making a hole in one of the walls of the building. They
are still at large. The non-criminal, a Hindu, male, was an inmate of the
asylum since the 28th June 1892. At the time of his escape, he was a patient in
hospital. He went to the latrine on the morning of the day he escaped
(2nd May 1901) and never returned to the hospital ward. He was harmless and
homeless and had been employed as a gate-keeper. He has not since been heard
of. In neither case was an enquiry held, and the present Superintendent is unable
to explain the reason for the omission. The lunatic who escaped from the Jub-
bulpore Asylum was a non-criminal, a male Hindu, and had been in the asylum
since 1894. For the last few years he was employed as store-keeper, as he
appeared thoroughly reliable. One morning, after helping to issue the day's
rations, &c., he placed his bedding, eating and drinking vessels in the doorway
of the godown and walked off. He was perfectly harmless, and would have been
discharged in course of time. He had regularly been rewarded for good
behaviour. The usual steps were taken, but the man has not been traced.
The keeper in fault was dismissed for negligence.