LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
7
they are capable of much, further reduction. At Dullunda the mortality has been
exceptionally low, and bears testimony to the great care taken of the inmates
by Surgeon Clarke, the Superintendent, and Apothecary Fleming. At Dacca
the death-rate rose from 7.56 in 1889 to 11.55, the rise having been caused
mainly by the debilitating effects of influenza, which tended to increase the
mortality from dysentery, which is always more or less common at that station.
21. Injuries, accidents and escapes.—The number of cases coming under
these heads is larger than it ought to be. It is impossible to prevent a certain
proportion of the lunatics from injuring themselves, but when there is any want
of vigilance on the part of the keepers and supervising officials, instances
of the kind are likely to become of too frequent occurrence. At Dullunda
nine lunatics received injuries, but only two of these were of any consequence.
In one case a lunatic struck another causing fracture of a rib, while in the other
the forearm was fractured by the lunatic having twisted it in the iron bars of
his cell. Seven accidents of a trivial kind occurred. There were four escapes,
in two of which the lunatics were recaptured. The escapes from this asylum
have given rise to the appointment of a Committee to report on the system of
guarding lunatics generally in all the asylums. At Dacca seven patients re-
ceived injuries, four of which were of a severe nature, and were caused either
accidentally, were self-inflicted or caused by other lunatics. There were two
escapes, but in both instances the lunatics were recaptured. At Patna there
was only one trivial injury and two accidents by lunatics falling from trees.
No escapes occurred during the year. At Cuttack there were no injuries or
accidents and no escapes. At Berhampore there was one fatal injury by a
lunatic entering the kitchen and killing another by means of a bonhti with
which the latter was cutting up vegetables. There were three accidents in
which one woman sustained a fracture of the forearm. No escapes occurred.
In all the above cases of accidents, injuries, and escapes a full inquiry was
made into the particulars at the time of their occurrence.
22. Statement IX: Finance.—Notwithstanding
that a very large amount
was paid for rates and taxes in 1890, the total amount drawn from the treasury for
the maintenance of the five native asylums was less by Rs. 400-15-2 as compared
with that of the previous year, the decrease being caused by smaller expendi-
ture under nearly all headings. There was, on the other hand, an increase of
Rs. 1,655-12-1 in 1890 in the total amount contributed by the manufacturing
department, which is accounted for mainly by the change in the system of adjust-
ment of accounts, which was ordered in Government of India letter No. 13/715 Medical,
dated 7th November 1890. Under the old system articles manufactured in the
asylum and supplied to the lunatics were valued at the cost price of the materials
without any profit being credited to the manufacturing department on account
of the labour of the lunatics. By the new system the asylum is debited with
the cost of the manufactured goods which are valued at the market rates, and
thus the manufacturing department derives a considerable profit on account of
labour. Under the old system the asylum gained and the manufacturing
department lost—a position which has now been reversed. Under the head of
establishment proper there was a saving of Rs. 432-14-1 in the year under report,
which was brought about by the reduction in the staff. There was also a large
decrease in the total cost of superintendence, viz., Rs. 2,144-6-3, as compared with
the preceding year, being due to the allowances to the Superintendents of the
Dacca and Berhampore Asylums having been reduced from Rs. 250 to Rs. 150
per mensem. At Dullunda, however, there was a slight increase, which was
caused by the exemption from payment of income-tax by the Deputy Super-
intendent throughout the year. The average cost of each lunatic on account
of establishment, including the cost of superintendence, stands as follows :—
Dullunda
...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack
...
Berhampore...
1889.
Rs.
44
31
33
67
37
A.
2
9
15
11
6
P.
4
9
2
10
3
1890.
Rs.
38
25
34
64
31
A.
10
13
1
12
9
P
5
7
10
6
2