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There is an increase under the heads of Establishment and Clothing; the former has been
caused by the augmentation of the Superintendent's salary; the latter from the rise in the price
of blankets. Under all the other heads the amount is less than in 1867.
Statement No. 10 is the abstract of the estimated value of lunatic labour during the year.
The daily cost of each worker has been calculated at from 1½ to 2 annas per diem.
Statement No. 11 shows the amount of profit derived from the labour of the lunatics
during the year; the sum of Rs. 755-9-10 was received as profits. From this amount Rs. 169-3-0
were expended in supplying extra milk to the weak and convalescent patients, and tobacco to
the industrious and well behaved.
Statement No. 13 is a nominal return of the criminal lunatics who have been under
treatment during 1868. Of the 321 lunatics treated 45, or 14.0, were criminals. On the 1st
January 1868 there were 32 in confinement, 14 were admitted during the year, four died, three
were discharged, one was transferred to Burrisaul to stand his trial, one was found not to be a
criminal, although he had been borne on the roll for many years, leaving 37 in the Asylum on
the 1st January 1869. Of the 45 treated, 42 were males, only three females.
Conduct of Establish-
ment.
Mr. Blackwell, the Overseer, has continued to give entire satisfaction. Through his exer-
tions, the new land added on to the Asylum, which in August was
covered with native houses, was by the end of the year transformed
into a productive kitchen garden. He is steady in his habits and attentive to his duties. He
is kind to the lunatics and manages them with tact and firmness. Native Doctor Ram Persaud
Sein having resigned his appointment, his place has been filled by Native Doctor Elahi Bux.
I regret that I am unable to say anything in favour of the latter officer. He is quite unfit
for the post. He has been attached for years to a survey party, and his professional knowledge
is therefore very defective. In addition, he is apathetic, idle, and careless of his duties. An
Asylum with over 200 lunatics requires the services of an intelligent and painstaking Native
Doctor, with a salary of at least 40 Rupees per mensem. This appears undeniable, and without
such a resident Native Doctor the care of the lunatics cannot be properly carried on.
With the keepers of the Asylum there is much to find fault with. They are, however,
wretchedly paid (5 Rupees a month), and they are on duty for 12 hours out of the 24. The
large majority belong to the low Mahomedan class so common in Dacca. They are very
neglectful of their duties, hence the frequency of escapes from the Asylum. They are addicted
to opium-eating, and in some instances to gunjah-smoking, and they have no method or tact
in their management of the lunatics. To induce a better stamp of men to take service, it
would be necessary to raise the pay to 6 or even 7 Rupees a month, as in the Dhullunda
Asylum, and to grant a superannuation pension after long service.
Occupations.
During 1868 there was a daily average of—
Sick in Hospital ... ... ... ...
Intractable ... ... ... ...
Employed ... ... ... ...
TOTAL ...
20.5
6.08
173.6
200
The occupations of the lunatics have been the same as in former years. The husking
of rice has been successfully introduced. It is profitable, and at the same time it provides a
healthy and suitable employment for the class of natives who come to the Asylum.