4
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
15. Mortality.—During the year there were 74 deaths in all the asylums,
or at the rate of 7.93 per cent., which compares favorably with that of last
year, which was 9.11. This is very satisfactory. The diminished mortality
was mostly due to fewer deaths from dysentery and diarrhœa, and also to the
comparative absence of epidemic disease.
16. Injuries, accidents, escapes, &c.—These are still somewhat numerous,
and with a view to their diminution, I have directed that they should all be
reported to my office immediately after their occurrence, so that an opinion
can be formed as to the completeness of the investigation into each case. The
following is an enumeration of them :—
At Dullunda.—Two accidents (one fatal), three escapes.
Dacca.—One death from injury caused by a criminal lunatic ; one suicide ;
one escape.
Patna.—Two escapes and one injury.
Cuttack.—No injuries or accidents ; one escape.
Berhampore.—One death said to have been caused by a keeper, who was
tried by the Sessions Court and acquitted. No escapes.
17. Finance.—The following table shows the expenditure and receipts
of each Asylum for the year 1888 :—
1
ASYLUMS.
Dullunda ...
Dacca
...
...
Patna ... ...
Cuttack ... ...
Berhampore ...
Total
2
Daily average strength.
216.92
217.52
245.93
46.38
206.
932.8
3
Total expenditure.
Rs.
24,693
18,076
17,660
5,546
15,196
81,173
A.
2
12
13
2
3
2
P.
7
3
7
8
2
3
4
Realised from friends
of patients.
Rs.
957
90
237
A.
4
5
0
P.
10
9
0
...
34
1,318
2
13
9
4
5
Actual profit from
Manufacture Depart-
ment.
Rs.
*419
1,358
2,461
362
963
4,727
A.
6
14
13
15
5
10
P.
8
7
8
7
0
2
6
Average cost of each
patient as per column
3.
Rs
113
83
71
119 73
87
A
13
1
12
9
12
0
P.
4
7
9
3
3
4
7
Average cost of each
patient
deducting
columns 4 and 5.
Rs.
109
76
61
111
68
80
A
6
7
12
12
14
8
P.
9
0
7
1
9
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
AVERAGE COST OF EACH PATIENT
IN RELATION TO—
Establishment.
Rs.
44
34
34
71
38
39
A.
4
14
8
10
0
7
P.
1
3
7
8
5
11
Diet.
Rs.
41
29
29
27
28
31
A
0
1
6
9
14
13
P.
1
7
9
8
5
4
Bazar medi-
cines.
Rs.
0
0
0
0
0
0
A.
2
0
0
1
0
0
P.
3
6
2
3
9
11
Clothing.
Rs.
2
2
3
2
1
2
A.
14
10
4
4
6
9
P.
0
10
10
6
3
4
Contingencies.
Rs.
10
3
4
2
3
5
A.
11
6
7
3
15
6
P.
4
2
0
2
2
11
Other charges.
Rs.
14
13
0
15
1
7
A.
13
0
1
12
7
9
P.
7
3
5
0
3
11
* Loss.
18. Expenditure.—The total cost of maintaining the five native asylums
of Bengal was Rs. 81,173-2-3 against Rs. 78,996-11-4 in 1887, the increase,
viz. Rs. 2,176-6-11, being entirely due to a much larger expenditure on new
buildings. The cost per head on average strength for all the asylums is shown
in the above table as being Rs. 87-0-4 as compared with Rs. 83-12-2 in the
previous year. It stands highest at Cuttack on account of the small number
of inmates over which the cost of establishment is spread, and also owing
to the increased expenditure under the head of " other charges," principally
buildings. At Patna it is lowest owing to the smallness of these charges. At
Dullunda the cost per head, which is higher than it ought to be, was swollen
by the increased price of food, and by the construction of a nightsoil depôt
and the quadrennial repairs. Patna still maintains its reputation of being the
least costly asylum in the province when the number of lunatics it contains is
taken into account. It is also the healthiest.
19. Income.—The amount received from the friends of paying patients
was Rs. 1,318-13-4, which is almost the same as that of 1887. Dullunda heads
the list with Rs. 957-4-10, Patna stands next with Rs. 237, while the sums
received at Dacca and Berhampore are altogether insignificant. An effort might
be made to obtain larger contributions from this source, and it is to be hoped
the Superintendents at Dacca, Berhampore and Cuttack will be more successful
during the current year.
20. Manufactures.—The profits derived from the manufacturing department
amounted to Rs. 4,474-3-4, of which the Patna Asylum contributed Rs. 2,324-1-1,
Dacca Rs. 1,013 7-4, Berhampore Rs. 653-6-6, Cuttack Rs. 255-8-1, Dullunda
Rs. 227-12-4. This shows an increase at Patna and Dacca, while there has been
a falling off at the other asylums. At Dullunda the very small profit obtained