LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
19
of deaths to average strength, though more than double that of 1892—10.87 per
cent. against 5.40—was very little higher than the average death-rate of English
Asylums, which is given at 10.12 in the 47th Annual Report of the Commis-
sioners on Lunacy (7th June 1893). When such small numbers are concerned,
however, death-rates are fallacious, a death more or less making an enormous
difference in the rates, but having no special bearing on the healthiness or other-
wise of the asylum. The death-rate at Bhawanipur has varied from 28.00 in
1867 to 0.0 in 1877, the general conditions under which the patients have lived
having undergone very little change. It is satisfactory to note that there were
neither accidents nor injuries.
44. Expenditure is shown in the following statement:—
Average daily number of inmates through-
out the year ... ... ...
Total expenditure for the year ...
Average yearly cost of each lunatic ...
Average yearly cost of each lunatic after
deducting payments by friends of paying
patients
...
...
...
1892.
37
Rs.
22,831
617
325
1893.
37
Rs.
21,805
589
295
The following shows the average yearly expenditure of each patient in
relation to—
Establishment ... ... ...
Diet
...
...
...
Contingencies ... ... ...
Bazar medicines... ... ...
Clothing ... ... ...
Rates and taxes ... ... ...
Public Works charges ... ...
1892.
Rs.
313
133
48
...
25
29
67
1893.
Rs.
317
131
50
...
23
32
36
The total expenditure is less: the average gross cost per lunatic shows a
reduction of Rs. 28, while the net cost to Government is less by Rs. 30. The
amounts realized from paying patients show a small increase. Establishment
cost more, owing to a European overseer having been employed throughout the
year and compensation allowance being drawn by the Deputy Superintendent,
matron, and overseer. No part of the Superintendent's pay is debited to the
asylum. Diet shows a small diminution and contingencies a small increase,
while a small reduction in clothing is accounted for by some of the patients
being provided from their homes. The percentage of taxation was raised from
16½ to 19½, thereby adding Rs. 3 per head per annum. No new buildings or
structural alterations were provided for during the year, and the Public Works
charges fell from Rs. 2,461 to Rs. 1,316. Deducting the Public Works charges,
and rates and taxes as special expenditure, the net cost per patient was Rs. 227,
against Rs. 230 in 1892 and Rs. 248 in 1891. This statement is made in
accordance with custom, but as there is no other asylum to be compared with
Bhawanipur, there seems no object in hypothetical calculations. The Public
Works Department charges and taxes have to be paid, and the net cost to
Government per patient is Rs. 295, not Rs. 227. This, as mentioned, is Rs. 30
less than in 1892, when it was Rs. 325. It may be expected to be considerably
more in 1894, owing to new buildings. &c.
First class ...
Second „ ...
Third „ ...
Fourth „ ...
1892.
Rs.
0
0
0
0
A.
9
8
6
5
P.
2
9
3
1
1893.
Rs.
0
0
0
0
A.
9
9
6
5
P.
9
8
4
0
The average cost of diet was annas 5-9, against annas 5-10 in 1892,
and the cost of each class of patient is given in
the margin. By the scale laid down by Sir Ashley
Eden's Hospital Committee, Rs. 2 per diem is
allowed for first class, twelve annas for second
and third class, and eight annas for non-paying
patients, and though this scale does not apply to
the asylum, it is quoted to show that very great economy is used. The food is,
as it has always been, of the best quality.
C 2