LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
15
and machinery. Dacca increased its profits by Rs. 125-3-3 owing to smaller
purchases of raw material; Cuttack went up from Rs. 148-0-9 to Rs. 210-14-6—
an increase of Rs. 62-13-9—due to the fact that the asylum supplied the munici-
pality with crushed grain throughout the year. Patna fell off Rs. 179-9-8 owing
to diminished demand for castor oil and blankets, and Berhampore Rs. 165-4
from the competition of a steam oil mill in the town.
33. Dairy Farms.—As already mentioned Dullunda made a largely
increased profit, as anticipated in last year's report. Cuttack shows a profit of
Rs. 2-3-3, and shows how it would have been Rs. 25 more had not a cow dried
up and another died. This bears out what I said last year as to the doubtful
nature of the " profits." Nothing is allowed for depreciation of the other
cows or cowshed. The value of milk supplied to the asylum was only Rs. 6-1 ;
that sold to the public Rs. 94-1-6. I think the Cuttack dairy might be abandoned.
The small quantity of pure milk required for asylum use can be got from the
jail dairy close by. The dairy proposed at Berhampore still hangs fire. The
last scheme estimates Rs. 1,918, and will probably be adopted when funds can
be spared. At Dacca the dairy is reported "successful," giving a sufficient
supply of pure milk to the lunatics and selling the surplus to the value of
Rs. 674-7-3 to the public. The calves also were utilised as vaccinifers, twelve
having been successfully vaccinated and used for the supply of lymph to the
asylum, the jail, and the general population. Dullunda deducted 10 per cent.
on the value of both live-stock and shed for depreciation. I doubt if 10 per cent.
is enough. Seven milch-cows purchased cost Rs. 934; nine cows and five calves
sold realised only Rs. 287. The value of milk and butter supplied to the asylum
was Rs. 538-6-6, while outside customers got to the value of Rs. 2,583-4-4.
34. Sanitation has received careful attention, and is for the most part
good. The only notable exception is Berhampore, where I found the conser-
vancy arrangements defective owing to the carelessness of the municipal
authorities. The asylum has to pay a heavy latrine tax, and gets in return
a very poor service. I proposed to the Chairman that the asylum should
receive a special staff of sweepers to be paid by the municipality, or be excused
the latrine tax and allowed to make its own arrangements; and after much
correspondence this latter proposal has been agreed to, but has not yet been
carried out in consequence of the difficulty in getting sweepers. At Dacca
some improvements were made in ventilation. At Dullunda a new latrine was
provided, sewer connections were made with latrines, cook-sheds, and dairy ;
and the ventilation of two worksheds greatly improved by dismantling a portion
of a third situated between them, but not used.
35. The following medical officers were in charge during the year :—
Dullunda.—Surgeon-Captain J. H. T. Walsh from 1st January to 6th May;
Surgeon-Captain H. W. Pilgrim from 7th May to 10th Sep-
tember, and again from 11th November to 31st December;
Surgeon-Captain D. M. Moir from 11th September to 10th
November.
Dacca.—Surgeon-Major R. Cobb from 1st January to 1st March ; Assistant
Surgeon I. Burnett from 2nd to 14th March; Surgeon-
Lieutenant-Colonel E. G. Russell from 15th March to 31st
December.
Patna.—Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel E. Bovill from 1st January to 6th
August, and again from 7th November to 2nd December;
Surgeon-Captain F. P. Maynard from 7th August to 6th
November;
Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel
F. C.
Nicholson from 3rd to 31st December.
Cuttack.—Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Zorab throughout the year.
Berhampore.—Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. W. Meadows from 1st June
to 29th April; Assistant Surgeon Kristo Churn Bose from 30th
April to 6th May ; and Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel G. Price
from 7th May to 31st December.
The Superintendents report favourably on the whole of the subordinate
establishment. Discipline among the warders is capable of improvement,
but they are poorly paid and apt to leave on small provocation, especially