( 4 )
Item 16.—The increase in the cost of this item has been heavy. The
details are as follows:—
Asylum.
Dullunda ... ... ...
Dacca ... ... ...
Patna ... ... ...
Cuttack ... ... ...
Berhampore ... ... ...
Total ...
Rates and taxes.
1888.
Rs.
...
...
...
11
63
73
1889.
Rs.
...
850
...
...
84
934
1890.
Rs.
2,676
...
108
45
204
3,033
A report should be submitted showing the grounds for this rise in taxation,
which primâ facie appears to be excessive. It is stated in paragraph 29 that the
Dacca taxes for 1890 were not paid till after the close of the year; their
amount should be included in the report now called for.
The actual expenditure on the lunatics (items 12, 16, and 19) appears to
have been Rs. 64,848 against Rs. 65,249; or, including the Public Works
Department charges, Rs. 74,190 against Rs. 75,473 in 1889. Calculated on the
first set of figures, the average cost of a patient in 1890 was Rs. 64-6-6 against
Rs. 67-1-4 in 1889.
8. The total population of the European Asylum at Bhowanipore during
the year was 48 against 45 in 1889. Of this number, 33 were under detention
on the 1st January 1890, and 15 were subsequently admitted, two of whom
were criminal lunatics. During the year 6 patients were discharged cured,
2 were deported to Europe, 3 were transferred to the care of friends, and 3
died, leaving 34 under detention at the close of the year. The daily average
strength was 34.50 against 31.29 in 1889. There was no want of room in the
male wards, but there was a certain amount of overcrowding among the females.
The extension of the female wards, which is now being undertaken, will,
however, remove any inconveniences which have hitherto been felt. The
health of the inmates of the asylum was good, all of them having gained in
weight after admission. There were no cases of accidents, injuries, or escapes.
The Inspector-General considers that the management of this institution is in
all respects excellent. The average expenditure per lunatic is, however, high;
and although this is in some measure explained by the small number of inmates,
it is hoped that reductions may be found possible. The question of the
admission of pauper lunatics, referred to by the Inspector-General in paragraph
46, should be made the subject of a separate reference. If the lunatics are
strictly Europeans, Eurasians or foreigners, it does not seem possible that they
should, as Dr. Hilson suggests, be provided for in the native asylums.
9. The thanks of the Lieutenant-Governor are due to Dr. Hilson for his
concise report, and for the punctuality with which it is submitted. There are,
however, several changes which the Lieutenant-Governor would like to see
carried out in the next report. There should be a complete separation in the
population statistics between criminal and non-criminal lunatics. The offence
charged against each criminal lunatic admitted in the year should be shown in
a tabular statement, and a distinction should be made between (1) those who
have been tried and acquitted on the ground of insanity under section 471,
Criminal Procedure Code; (2) those who have been found to be incapable
of making their defence and have been dealt with under the second clause of
section 466, Criminal Procedure Code ; and (3) those who being already in Jail
become insane there and are removed to an asylum under section 31, Act V of
1871. In Statements I, II, VI, and VII the total for the province should be
shown, as well as the figures for the five asylums, and it seems probable that the
statements relating to sickness and death, as well as the financial statements,
might be improved by an imitation of the tabular forms adopted for the reports
of the Jail Department. Dr. Hilson is invited to put himself in communication
with Dr. Lethbridge with a view to considering this suggestion. If further
inquiry shows that there is room for improvement in this direction, the matter
will be represented to the Government of India by whom the forms used in the
report were originally prescribed.