LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
13
Dullunda has that asylum and the European Asylum as part of his duty, but the
whole of his pay is debited to the Presidency General Hospital, and nothing to
either asylum.
Dullunda ...
Dacca
...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Berhampore ...
1892.
Rs.
42
40
34
36
37
A.
13
13
7
6
12
P.
2
2
8
5
3
1893.
Rs.
41
44
32
38
35
A.
9
11
3
7
15
P.
5
6
2
1
4
21. Diet, including food supplies from the Manufacturing Department,
cost Rs. 36,155-11-7, a decrease of Rs. 1,314-1-11. Dullunda, Patna, and Berham-
pore show reductions owing to cheaper foodstuffs. At Dacca there was an
increase of Rs. 841-1-3, due to rice being
14 annas and 3 pies a maund dearer than
in 1892, and to a larger issue of milk to
the lunatics, owing to want of a market
for dairy produce. A small increase in
Cuttack was due to some supplies being
destroyed by a sudden storm. The
average cost per head was as noted in the margin.
Dullunda ...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Berhampore ...
1892.
Rs.
3
2
2
1
1
A.
12
4
12
4
12
P.
8
6
2
2
2
1893
Rs.
2
2
3
1
1
A.
3
1
15
10
11
P.
0
8
6
4
6
22. Clothing and bedding cost less by Rs. 254-5. The item varies from
year to year, accidentally as it were. The
usual statement is given in the margin.
Dullunda and Patna reverse their positions
on the list, because in 1892 Dullunda
issued new clothing and extra blankets,
while Patna did not, while in 1893 every
lunatic in Patna got a new blanket coat.
The small decrease at Dacca was due to patients being less destructive of
clothing, and the increase at Cuttack to higher prices.
23. Bazar medicines cost about the same as in 1892. They are very
little used and require no further remarks.
Dullunda ...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Berhampore ...
1892.
Rs.
12
7
4
3
3
A.
12
6
9
8
2
P.
7
0
2
6
0
1893.
Rs.
8
7
4
3
2
A.
2
10
6
14
12
P.
9
11
8
5
0
24. Contingencies proper, including contingencies of manufacture, with repairs
and maintenance, show a diminution of
Rs. 1,395-12, and the incidence per patient
is as noted in the margin. The items vary
from year to year, according to the wants
of each asylum, and afford no basis for con-
clusions as to economy of management.
The high figures of Dullunda in 1892 were
caused by the purchase of new plates and cups for the patients and uniform
for the warders; the decrease this year is due to these items being omitted.
The purchase of a lawn-mower explains the small increase at Dacca. The fall
at Patna is due to a diminished charge for uniform and the absence of such
items as new privy pots, deckchis and water casks; while the increase at Cuttack
is due to a larger expenditure on repairs. The total for repairs and maintenance
was Rs. 527-4-8, against Rs. 452-14-6 in 1892.
25. Rates and taxes are Rs. 502-9 less than in 1892, but this is
accidental, and is due to non-payment at Berhampore and Cuttack, pending
appeal against what are considered exorbitant rates.
26. Printed forms and stationery cost Rs. 44-7-5 more than in 1892, in
consequence of new forms being required.
27. European medicines also show an increase—Rs. 129-8-2—explained
by the supply of a microscope to Dullunda, and increased cost due to fall in
exchange. Sugeon-Captain Walsh again testifies to the value of sulphonal as a
hypnotic, and after more extended experience of the bromides in epilepsy,
considers that they appear to be of value in keeping down the number of
fits, and diminishing excitement before and after the fits.
28. The Public Works Department spent Rs. 5,280-4-8 as compared with
Rs. 2,536-10, an increase of Rs. 2,743-10-8, but Rs. 6,264-2-9 less than in 1891.
These great variations depend on the varying works required in the several
asylums in different years, and allow of no valid comparisons as to relative cost.
Dullunda cost Rs. 578-7-1 more than in 1892, owing to the quadrennial repairs
to the Deputy Superintendent's quarters and the female ward, and the conversion
of some private wards into cells. Patna for the second year in succession showed
no expenditure under this head. Dacca spent Rs. 246-14-4 more than in 1892,
owing to the construction of a new latrine. Cuttack shows a diminution of
Rs. 239-5-9; while owing to quadrennial repairs, the expenditure at
Berhampore was Rs. 2,157-11 against nothing in 1892.