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the district and is under investigation : Bustum Doss was admitted on 29th April last with
descriptive roll from Balasore, stating that one piece of dhootee was the property belonging
to, and sent with, him. . On recovery Bustum Doss stated that there were many things
which he had prior to being taken up by the Police as mad, that he was deprived of these,
and sent on to the asylum. On writing to the Deputy Magistrate of Balasore no information
was given, although duplicate copy of the descriptive roll was sent. That Officer suggested
that the .authorities at Bhuddruck be communicated with. I next sent the recovered lunatic
in charge of a constable, and wrote to the Assistant Magistrate of Bhuddruck requesting him
to institute enquiry in the matter, as Bustum Doss led me to believe he was ill used and drag-
ged while on his pilgrimage to Pooree. Both Policeman and Bustum Doss returned bringing
with them Rs. 20-9-5. Before leaving us Bustum Doss gave a list of his property. This
the constable verified by the diary record of the Police Station at Soroh (the Police Station
where he was picked up and taken back to Balasore as insane) and at Balasore. The value
of his property Bustum Doss estimate about Rs. 100. The constable brought word that the
articles had been auctioned, and that the above amount was handed to him as proceeds of
the sale.
Accommodation.—Is the same as represented last year. Forty-four is the estimated number
it can conveniently hold; the cells are separate and of two sizes; the larger are capable of holding
five, the smaller two. There are four large and twelve small cells. The floors were coated with
artificial asphalt, a mixture of tar and rosin. There were two trials; the first did not succeed,
as the composition peeled off and exposed the terraced floor; a second and thicker layer has been
applied, and it is proposed to rub the surface with ashes to give it hardness and consistency;
failing this we are to have the floors laid with the genuine material. Owing to a second
instance having occurred of European lunatics requiring shelter in the asylum, a resolution of
the Committee, recommending a separate small place to be erected apart from the native
asylum, has been forwarded to Government for sanction.
Diet.—Dr. Mouat's scale, as carried out in prisons, has been found to work satisfactorily.
The quality of the material has been the best procurable in the market; most of the
inmates have considerably improved in bodily condition since admission; all our recoveries on
discharge have been able-bodied men.
A contractor supplies the provisions at market rate. These are daily inspected and made
over to the Darogah, who is responsible for them thereafter.
Conservancy.—The dry-earth system has been carried out in all its integrity as far as the
unfortunate condition of the lunatics would allow. Clay-beds are being raised throughout the
asylum, and answer well in place of cots; these fixtures assist us greatly; they are solid, dry,
and harmless. Three baskets of convenient size are introduced into each room, half filled with
earth; to these the attention of lunatics is directed. With perseverance and care we manage,
with few exceptions, to preserve our floors free from stain or soil. Lunatics are classed
according to their mental condition. The cells of the recovering are unexceptionably clean
and dry. Those containing bad cases are dry-scrubbed every morning. The walls four feet
high are leeped regularly. No drains or collections of filth of any kind are permitted any-
where ; all soil is carried away and buried in the garden after having been largely intermixed
with earth. More lights have been introduced,—to enable the occupants of the several cells to
preserve cleanliness at night.
The day privy is good and works well; a trench is also daily dug in the garden in which
patients who cannot be made to go the privy prefer sitting. These are closed up in the
evening.