( 2 )
Only 4.7 per cent were traced to moral causes, while in so large a proportion
as 592 cases, or 46 per cent, the causes were wholly unknown.
5. The total cost of maintenance in the five institutions during the
year amounted to Rs. 66,464, or Rs. 92-2-6 per head. This amount is
reduced to Rs. 43-11-0 by deducting the estimated earnings of each lunatic,
taken at Rs. 48-7-6, a very gratifying result, not only in a pecuniary sense,
but as an indication of the extent of attention paid to exercise and discipline
as means of recovery. The cost of diet is still very much greater at
Dullunda and Dacca than at the other institutions.
6. Dullunda.—At Dullunda the mortality is slightly reduced, notwith-
standing a higher daily average and the fears entertained last year as to
overcrowding.
On this point the deputy inspector-general's remarks would seem to
show that an improvement in respect of diet has been productive of much
benefit to the inmates. This is a very important point, and should receive
the continual attention of the Inspector-General of Hospitals and the
Superintendent of the Asylum.
A very large outturn is shown at this Asylum from the industry of
the lunatics, which is variously employed and turned to account in gardening,
oil-manufacture, weaving, and spinning, soorky-making, tailoring, &c. The
value of the produce is estimated at Rs. 23,455, but it is observable that a
large portion of the amount, Rs. 6,129, is reckoned as value of articles in
store, and Rs. 5,388 is the computed cost of works executed for the improve-
ment of the Asylum, for which no payment is received.
The sum of Rs. 1,649 recovered from friends of patients is also
included. This amount should have been remitted to the treasury in full.
The excellent order and good management of this institution, testi-
fied to by the Inspector-General, are eminently due to Dr. Payne's able
superintendence; the services of the overseer Mr. Bancroft are also favorably
mentioned.
7. Dacca.—In the number of cures there is a considerable falling off,
attributed to the existence of many long-standing and incurable cases, and
to the retention of convalescent criminal and other lunatics for further obser-
vation prior to discharge. The mortality returns were rather more favorable
than last year, though still exceptionally high, 13.14 per cent. on the
actual strength, and 17.74 on the daily average. The causes of death have
been very carefully ascertained, and are stated to arise, in a great measure,
from excessive overcrowding, which the addition of 31.53 per cent. in the
numbers has tended to increase. The Public Works Department has been
urged to proceed with the new buildings which were unavoidably stopped.
The Lieutenant-Governor notices the mention made of the intelligent and
zealous management of Dr. Cutcliffe, and of the kind and attentive treatment
of the overseer Mr. Blackwell, as also of the native doctor Shaik Kurreem.
His Honor lately satisfied himself of the truth of these remarks by personal
inspection of the Asylum.
8. Patna.—The results, both as to cures and mortality, have not been
so satisfactory as in the previous year, but are still apparently better than at
either Dullunda or Dacca, the cures and transfers amounting to 31.59 per
cent., and the mortality to 8.17 per cent. on actual strength, and 13.66 on
the daily average. The cost of maintenance has also been moderate.
In the management and discipline of the Asylum, generally, there has
unfortunately been great cause of complaint owing to the incapacity and