DACCA ASYLUM.
39
12. Profits.—Table No. 20 is a statement showing the amount of profit from the labor
of the lunatics during the year, and the sources from which that profit has been derived. I
find that the statement of profit and the cash accounts have not always been prepared in the
same way. The statements this year submitted have been prepared in accordance with the
forms published by the Dullunda asylum. I, with great respect, submit that it would
conduce to greater accuracy in comparative statements if all asylums kept their accounts and
prepared their statements in accordance with one uniform plan. I hope that from the large
figures now shown I shall not be thought to have been inordinately industrious with the
lunatics entrusted to me for treatment. It is true that a very considerable increase in the
returns from lunatic labor is conspicuous; but at the same time, I beg to point out that
much of the apparent increase over former years is due to the difference in the methods of
rendering the accounts, which, as now exhibited, will I hope meet with approval. The total
amount of cash received in payment of the products of lunatic labor amounted in 1868
to Rs. 767-6-11; in 1869, to Rs. 1,368-12-10; and in 1870 to Rs. 4,248-6-4, which, with
Rs. 2,503, the computed value of manufactures now in stock, shows for that year a sum
of Rs. 6,751-6-4 to represent the amount of the profit from the labor of the lunatics. The
value of the labor performed by the lunatics, but for which no cash was received, was
computed to be, in 1868, Rs. 4,713; in 1869, 5,372-4; and in 1870, Rs. 6,103-8. The
rates at which the value of labor has been computed is shown in table No. 20. The total
value of lunatic labor was computed to be, in 1868, Rs. 5,479-6-11; in 1869, Rs. 6,741-0-10
and in 1870, Rs. 12,854-14-4.
13. The cash account of the industrial fund of the asylum is shown in table No. 21. The
balance remaining on the 1st January 1870 was Rs. 3,587-2-5, and on the 31st December
1870 it was Rs. 4,467-1-3.
14. The criminal lunatics admitted during the year, as shown in table No. 22, amounted
in all to 18 or 23.37 per cent. of all the patients admitted. The total number released was
3; transferred, 4; escaped, 3 ; died, 8; and remaining on the 1st January 1871, 47. The daily
average number of lunatics present during the year was 222.57; of which 173.41 were
non-criminal and 49.16 were criminal lunatics. The total criminal population for 1870
was 65; for 1869 was 59; and for 1868 was 44. Table No. 23 is the usual annual return
of criminals.
15. The Establishment.—Mr. Blackwell, the overseer, by his kindness to the patients,
manages them with gentleness, and gains over them a great amount of control. The
improvements which have been made in the asylum grounds are due to his exertions. Up to
the 15th April 1870, 3rd class native doctor Sheik Kurrim Bux was attached to the asylum.
He took great pains with his work, and was very kind and watchfully attentive to the lunatics.
He was transferred to the Mitford hospital, where he has since done excellent service and
given great satisfaction. His successor in the asylum, Sheik Abdoollah, was as good a man as
at the rate of pay authorised could be found in Dacca for the post, for which, however, he has
proved himself to be utterly unfit. He is thoroughly wanting of all regard for truth, and I
am sorry to have to say that my distrust in him extends much further than this. His
conduct has brought him frequently into unpleasant collision with the overseer, and given
rise to much trouble and annoyance. After two years' experience in the asylum at Dacca,
which I am now about to leave, I beg to be allowed to record my entire concurrence in the
opinion expressed in 1868 by Dr. Wise in these words :—" An asylum with over 200 lunatics
requires the services of an intelligent and painstaking native doctor, with a salary of at least
Rs. 40 per mensem. This appears undeniable, and without such a resident native doctor
the care of the lunatics cannot be properly carried on." I venture to urge that the Govern-
ment be moved to sanction a salary of Rs. 40 per mensem for a native doctor for the Dacca
asylum.