18
LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
and the investigation is now proceeding. I have printed my inspection reports
in detail this year, chiefly in order to show the defects in existing buildings
and to emphasize the necessity of early provision of a central asylum, or of
thorough repair of the old ones until the question of site is finally decided.
The Patna Asylum, for example, is, in my opinion, quite unfit for the residence
of the insane.
41. Manufactures.—At Dullunda the lunatics were employed in various
ways. They were free to do as much or as little as they pleased. The nature
of the work is carefully selected for each case and changed from time to time.
At Dacca the work on which the lunatics were employed was mainly of a
domestic character, and involved the cleanliness of the asylum and wards, the
charge of the dairy, and the garden. At Patna, Cuttack and Berhampore also
the lunatics were generally employed on easy and light work.
42. Diet of lunatics.—At Dacca the morning meal was at my suggestion
improved, the change being much appreciated by the insanes. In other asylums
the matter received due and careful attention of the Superintendents. The diet
was varied, and the weakly and the sick were liberally supplied with extras.
In fact nothing was left to be desired in this respect.
43. Clothing and bedding.—Great attention was also paid to this matter in all
the asylums during the year. At Patna padded coats were given to the lunatics
in the cold season, with the result that there were fewer cases of pneumonia
and other chest affections. At Cuttack country dhootis, chuddars and kurtas
were supplied to the lunatics in the place of clothing used by jail prisoners.
Suitable jail-made canvas bedding was also supplied, which was much appre-
ciated by the lunatics. At Dacca better blankets and clothing were supplied,
and at Dullunda the convalescents and the weakly were provided with extra
clothing and blankets.
44. Prophylactic medicines—sulphate of cinchonidine, iron and sulphuric
acid—were regularly and systematically issued to the inmates of the Dullunda,
Dacca, Patna and Cuttack Asylums, with satisfactory results. The Superinten-
dent of the Berhampore Asylum is, however, not inclined to think much of the
usefulness of sulphate of cinchonidine, judging, as he says, from the experi-
ence of the Jail Superintendents. No opinion can be formed of the value of
a prophylactic unless it has been put to trial. Seeing that almost all the
Superintendents of the Asylums report favourably of the results obtained during
the year from the administration of prophylactic medicines, I have no
hestitation in recommending their use in the Berhampore Asylum. At Dacca
and Cuttack the wards were warmed in the cold season as far as possible.
This arrangement was not found necessary in the other asylums.
45. The following Medical Officers held charge of the asylums during the
year:—
Dullunda.—Captain H. W. Pilgrim, I.M.S., from 1st January to 21st
April; Captain D. M. Moir, I.M.S., from 22nd April to
13th June; and Captain F. O'Kinealy, I.M.S., from 14th June
to 31st December.
Dacca.—Lieutenant-Colonel R. Macrae, I.M.S., throughout the year.
Patna.—Major R. H. Whitwell, I.M.S., all through the year.
Cuttack.—Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Zorab, I.M.S., throughout the year.
Berhampore.—Lieutenant-Colonel G. Price, I.M.S., from 1st to 15th Janu-
ary; Major T. R. Macdonald, I.M.S., from 16th January to 30th
June; and Major J. H. T. Walsh, I.M.S., from 1st July to the
end of the year.
46. Establishment.—The Superintendent of the Dullunda Asylum reports
very favourably of Mr. T. H. Lawton, the Deputy Superintendent at Bhawani-
pur, who held the post of the Deputy Superintendent of the Dullunda Asylum,
in addition to his own duties, throughout the year. The profits which resulted
from the Manufacturing Department were, the Superintendent remarks, chiefly
attributable to his unremitting care and attention. Mrs. H. F. Weston
acted as Matron of the Dullunda Asylum up to 4th November, on which date
she had to take sick leave on account of bad health. A special allowance of
Rs. 25 per mensem was granted by Government during her leave. Her work
is reported to have been satisfactory. Mrs. M. Ager was appointed to act