DULLUNDA ASYLUM.
3
of it extra articles and hospital comforts are exacted from the contractor under an equitable
system which prevents the multiplication of bills. In this manner excellent milk—a very
expensive article here—is supplied without extra cost to all who require it.
In contingencies, clothing, and bedding there has been reduction, and the total cost of each
lunatic's maintenance to the State has not exceeded that of the previous year, notwithstand-
ing the charges for establishment and diet.
Income.—In the payments made by the relatives of the lunatics, the year 1869 has
greatly surpassed all former periods. A sum of Rs. 1,641 was realized on this account, and
Rs. 1,349 paid into the treasury. As the system of payment has been in existence only a
short time, although progressing satisfactorily enough, it has not until the present year
reached any considerable amount. When I originally recommended its introduction and
obtained the sanction of Government, no orders were issued regarding the disposal of the
money, and it was treated as a part of the industrial fund and applied to the approved
purposes of that fund. Lately, as the amount increased, the Government, reviewing an
annual statement, expressed an opinion that it should be credited to Government against the
general cost of the asylum, and this has now been done. A sum of Rs. 291 has been
devoted to certain measures for increasing the comfort of the paying-patients' accommoda-
tion, to the construction of bath-rooms and separate latrines. These charges fell so obviously
to the debit of the maintenance fund, that I did not think it necessary to apply for special
sanction.
It is satisfactory to me to be able to report this fund in a flourishing condition. I have
long endeavoured to make the asylum a fit place of reception for native gentlemen, and have
hoped that as year after year it became more attractive in appearance and better known
among them, the natural prejudice against such a place might be overcome. During the past
year a member of a native family of very high position spent several months in the asylum,
and left it in greatly improved condition, and there have been two other men of property
among the inmates. By theirs and a number of smaller payments, and by pressing the
claims of the institution on the attention of the High Court when orders are passed respect-
ing the estates of persons found insane, the sum now reported has been realized. The return
of industrial profits shews a figure which at first sight seems out of all comparison with those
of foregone years. It will be observed that a part of the difference is due to the manner of
taking credit for the value of stock in hand at the close of the year. The principal increase
of work has been in the production of castor-oil, which has been supplied in very large
quantities to the justices of the peace for the lighting of the town. In former years a single
screw press sufficed for the demand, but in 1869 four presses have been in constant employ-
ment. In the month of November 1869, as there were signs of great scarcity of seed approach-
ing, and advance in the cost of oil owing to the illuminations on the visit of His Royal
Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, I obtained from the Government a loan of Rs. 5,000
for the purchase of seed. The seed was obtained at a moderate price, and the supply of oil
continued without interruption. The expected rise in price of oil did not occur, but the stock
is useful for ordinary demands, and the debt in course of liquidation. Mustard-oil is sup-
plied to the Lock Hospitals from the asylum, as well as used in the institution. It is a
significant fact in connection with the present high price of this oil (Rs. 16 per maund) that
bazar dealers purchase it at the asylum at this price and retail it at a cheaper rate, after,
of course, due adulteration.
The quantity of soorky made is not represented in the statement of profits. None
but soorky made in the place is used in the buildings mentioned in return No. 11. This
manufacture, therefore, contributes to the credit therein exhibited. In this return also credit
is taken for the building of a shed which was partly completed in 1868, and mentioned in
my report on that year.