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reference to the remarks on this subject in the 2nd paragraph of Dr. Payne's
report, it should be pointed out that the law requires a specific certificate
from the visitors that in their opinion the lunatic can be discharged without
danger of injury to himself or others, and that when this certificate is given
the Government discharges him. But visitors are naturally reluctant to give
this certificate, and consequently criminal lunatics increase in number. This
may render the management of an asylum more difficult, but it is a less evil
than discharging persons whose homicidal mania may at any time recur.
13. The progressive improvement in the mortality rates since 1856
is highly creditable to the management of this institution, and the number of
cures and transfers is also satisfactory. The Lieutenant-Governor is well
assured that in the efforts of the Superintendent to improve the asylum
industry, the essential object, viz. the cure of those committed to his Charge,
will not cease to be carefully regarded.
14. It would appear that here, as well as in the other asylums, no system
of check prevails over the account of the receipts and expenditure of the
Industrial Funds. The Lieutenant-Governor considers also that credit is
wrongly taken, as profit, for articles in store, and that nothing but actual
cash received by the sale of manufactures and produce should be expended
under this head. These accounts should be regularly submitted for audit to
the Inspector-General of Hospitails.
15. The Lieutenant-Governor has noticed with pleasure the commend-
ation bestowed on the overseer Mr. Bancroft and the matron.
16. Dacca.—At this asylum, which is next in importance, the
average daily number was 222, being slightly under the average number in
the previous year. The mortality rate was still as high as 18.42 per cent.
The Lieutenant-Governor would wish to have a special report as to this
excessive mortality. One great cause to which this was attributed, namely
overcrowding, has been removed by the recent enlargement of the buildings,
and the Lieutenant-Governor trusts that a continuance of the zealous atten-
tion displayed by the late Superintendent, Dr. Cutcliffe, and the active steps
taken to remedy other sanitary defects, will lead to an improvement in the
health of the inmates.
17. The number of cures and transfers amounted to 14.37per cent., which
is also less favorable than at the other institutions. Much weight is no doubt
due to the circumstances and conditions under which lunatics are received,
and to the preponderance of incurable cases, as Dr. Cutcliffe has forcibly
pointed out in his remarks.
18. The Lieutenant-Governor is glad to notice the favorable terms in
which the Services of the overseer Mr. Blackwell are mentioned, and the
character he specially bears for kind treatment of the patients.
19. Patna.—The daily average number was 183, being 22 above the
average of the previous year. The ratio of cures and transfers was 16.9
per cent., and the mortality was 9.83 per cent. The cost of maintenance
was lower than in other asylums, but the returns from labour were the least
productive. The Lieutenant-Governor observes that various improvements
were in contemplation, and that the overseer and the matron, Mr. and Mrs.
Nowlan, are favorably spoken of. The position of the overseer's house, as
pointed out, seems objectionable, and on receipt of the special report called
for, consideration will be given to the subject.
20. Cuttack.—The average number, 38, was almost the same as that
of the previous year. The cures and transfers show a vast improvement,