LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
13
TABLE XII.
Dullunda ...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Berhampore
1895.
Rs.
37
33
37
106
34
A.
0
7
12
0
10
P.
3
6
3
5
5
1896.
Rs.
37
33
38
90
36
A.
6
14
0
1
12
P.
7
8
8
0
3
there was a slight increase. Patna expended Rs. 60-5-3 more than in 1895,
owing to the hospital assistant having received monthly house-rent all through
the year, and to the temporary appointment of 4 extra warders to guard a
part of the asylum wall which had broken down. Berhampore had an increase
of Rs. 183-14-4, which was due to the 11 sweepers entertained for the asylum
having drawn pay throughout the year instead of
for 9 months only as in 1895. The usual table
showing the average cost per capita on account of
establishment and supervision is given in the margin.
The only noticeable feature of the table is the
incidence of cost per head at Cuttack which was
less by nearly Rs. 16 than in 1895, although the
total expenditure was the same. The reason for the decrease is that the
expense was divided among a larger daily average number of lunatics.
TABLE XIII.
Dullunda ...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Berhampore
1895.
Rs.
41
43
34
39
31
A.
3
6
8
0
14
P.
5
5
6
11
0
1896.
Rs.
47
55
40
40
35
A.
3
12
10
10
12
P.
4
5
4
10
8
23. The cost of diet including food supplies from the manufacturing
department went up by Rs. 6,293-9-3, the figures being Rs. 41,207-0-5, against
Rs. 34,913-7-2 in 1895. At Dullunda there was an increase of Rs. 1,572-1-6,
which is explained by the higher rates paid for food-grains, and the number of
weakly patients to whom extras were freely issued. Dacca showed an increase of
Rs. 2,644-0-9, but Rs. 2,500 of this represents the value of 652 maunds of rice
purchased for the current year in view of threatened scarcity. During the
year under report sanction was also accorded to the storing of rice in the
other asylums, but in these places the arrangements for its purchase were only
completed after the expiration of the year. The cost was therefore not debited
in the accounts of 1896. Patna spent Rs. 1,339-11-4 more than in 1895 owing
to a general rise in the prices of food and to the grant of a liberal diet to
invalids and to those losing weight. The increase
of Rs. 175-13-3 at Cuttack is accounted for by
the larger number of patients and the higher rates
paid for the chief food staples. The latter reason
also explains the increase of Rs. 561-14-5 at Ber-
hampore. The average cost per patient is shown
in the margin.
TABLE XIV.
Dullunda ...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Berhampore
1895.
Rs.
2
1
4
1
2
A.
7
15
11
7
9
P.
9
11
3
9
1
1896.
Rs.
2
2
4
3
2
A.
6
2
11
8
11
P.
9
4
3
8
8
24. Clothing and bedding.—Cost Rs. 2,743-7-9, or Rs. 86-6-3 more than in
1895. Dacca shows an increase of Rs. 29-10, which was due to the purchase
of new blankets. At Berhampore new clothing was issued to some lunatics,
which accounts for the increase of Rs. 14.5. The
deficiency in the clothing of the lunatics at Cuttack,
referred to in last year's report, was made up
during the year under review, each lunatic
receiving two suits. This increased the cost by
Rs. 53-8-6. Dullunda and Patna showed a very
small decrease. The table in the margin gives
the average cost per head.
25. Bazar medicines—Show an increase of Rs. 96-7-3 in 1896. At
Dullunda the cost rose from Rs. 63-7 to Rs. 140-9-3 in 1896. The Superinten-
dent says that he made an attempt to use native medicines largely, but it was
not attended with success. At Dacca there was an increase of Rs. 16-13, the
weakly patients having been allowed mustard oil daily to rub on their bodies.
The increase at Patna and Berhampore was nominal. At Cuttack there was a
small saving.
26. Contingencies proper.—Account for an expenditure of Rs. 6,266-13-2,
which is more than that of the previous year by Rs. 1,258-10-7. Dullunda
showed an increase of Rs. 501-5-9, due to the supply of uniform to the warders,
to the purchase of musical instruments and pet animals, and to the payment
of a water-rate to the Calcutta Municipality for supplying unfiltered water
for the ground under cultivation. The purchase of a bullock and the repair
of the asylum cart account for an increase of Rs. 111-4-5 at Dacca. Patna had an
increase of Rs. 296-10-6, which was caused by the supply of uniform to the
warders and the repair of the brass plates. The increase of Rs. 205-6-11 at
Cuttack was due to the repair of the well pump and to a larger amount having
been spent for the entertainment of the lunatics. Berhampore spent Rs. 143-15
more than in 1895, owing to the purchase of coal for the water boiler brought
into use during the year.