LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
13
1891, viz. Rs. 303, includes a large amount paid as rates and taxes, and if
this extraordinary expenditure be excluded, the average cost per lunatic is
reduced to Rs. 248 in 1891.
48.
Income.—
Amount contributed by Government ...
Amount received from the paying
patients ... ... ...
Profits from labour of patients ...
1890.
Rs.
11,424
9,159
...
1891.
Rs.
15,531
9,839
...
The increase of Rs. 680 in the receipts from the paying patients in the
year under report is attributed by the Superintendent to the larger a ccom
modation provided for the females. I give below a statement showing the
number of paying patients treated in 1891:—
Statement showing the number of paying patients treated in the Lunatic Asylum, Bhawanipore, during the year 1891.
ASYLUM.
Bhawanipore ...
REMAINED ON
1ST JANUARY.
Males.
3
Females.
6
Total.
9
ADMITTED.
Males.
4
Females.
4
Total.
8
RE-ADMITTED.
Males.
...
Females.
1
Total.
1
TOTAL TREATED
Males.
7
Females.
11
Total.
18
DISCHARGED
TRANSFERRED.
Males.
5
Females.
2
Total.
7
DIED.
Males.
...
Females.
1
Total.
1
REMAINING ON
31ST DECEMBER.
Males.
2
Females.
8
Total.
10
DAILY
AVERAGE
STRENGTH.
Males.
4.01
Females.
7.05
Total.
11.06
49. The yearly average cost per lunatic is high, as it must necessarily be
when a small body of Europeans, &c., are confined in an asylum. Nor do I
see how it can be reduced without cutting down salaries so low as to interfere
with efficiency; and rather than do this I would advise the adoption of the
course recommended in my letter No. 13498, dated the 17th December 1891.
I have examined all the salaries of the officials, and I do not see how they
can be further reduced, although it is true that the new water-supply will
enable Dr. Clarke to dispense with two bheesties and a cooly and to reduce
some of his contingent expenditure. There can be no doubt from enquiries
I have made that there would be little difficulty in providing for the
accommodation of all inmates in the district asylums at a comparatively
small cost; indeed, the extra establishment which their confinement in these
asylums would give rise to would be trivial compared to that of keeping up a
large asylum at Bhowanipore. The only other alternative is to accommodate
them all at Dullunda, if this be feasible with not much initial expense.
50. General remarks.—Government
has issued orders for connecting the
asylum with the municipal main of filtered water, which will be a great
convenience, will tend to improve the sanitary arrangements, and will give
the patients a plentiful supply of bathing water, which was much needed,
as the tanks, especially during the last two years, became quite dry.
51. I have much pleasure in speaking favourably of Mr. Lawton, the
Deputy Superintendent, and Mrs. Lawton, the Matron. The former suffered
from typhoid fever during the year and had to take leave to proceed to sea to
recruit his health. During his absence Mr. Fleming acted as Deputy Superinten-
dent. During my visits the happy and contented appearance of the lunatics
was always noticeable, although they have not much work to do as in other
asylums. Mr. Lawton shows a great taste for gardening, and the grounds are
beautifully decorated with orchids and ferns and other plants. The other
members of the staff are also favourably spoken of by Dr. Clarke. Mr. Tottle,
who proved to be a very useful subordinate, resigned his appointment to better
his prospects.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
A. HILSON, M.D.,
Inspector General of Civil Hospitals, Bengal.