( 2 )
those of previous years owing to a change which has been made in the method
of preparing the returns; but there are reasons to suppose that the rate of
admissions to hospital was generally higher than in 1888, and the daily average
number of sick, 69.55, is high. The mortality rose from 7.93 in 1888
to 8.94 in 1889, and this rise is largely due to the heavy death-rate in the
asylums at Patna and Berhampur, and the Lieutenant-Governor notices the
increased number of deaths in these two asylums with much regret. In Patna
it is suggested that the dampness of the wards in connection with the repairs
may have had something to do with its unhealthiness, and at Berhampur the
Inspector-General attributes it to the defective sanitary condition of the asylum,
and to some extent to overcrowding during the year. In regard to the latter
asylum, Sir Steuart Bayley hopes that the proposals now under the Superin-
tendent's consideration for remedying the defects that have been pointed out
will be put before Government in a practical form with the least possible delay,
and that every effort will be made to prevent a recurrence of the lamentable
epidemic of the past year.
6. Had it not been for four escapes from the Dullunda Asylum, the
record of such incidents would have been a very good one in the year under
report. The Lieutenant-Governor fully agrees with the remarks made by the
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals on the subject of accidents and escapes in
asylums, and hopes that increased attention to the classification and segregation
of violent lunatics may have the effect of diminishing their number and their
seriousness.
7. The total expenditure on the asylums was Rs. 79,163-15-8 against
Rs. 74,067-8-1 in 1888, showing an increase of Rs. 5,096-7-7, which is said to
be due to the increased number of patients treated, and to the compara-
tively high price of food. The expenditure on account of public works rose
from Rs. 6,668-14-4 in1888 to Rs. 10,224-6-2 in 1889, owing to certain
additions and alterations in the Patna and Cuttack Asylums, and to the quadren-
nial repairs of the buildings at Berhampur. The figures given of receipts and
expenditure under the head of Manufactures are not satisfactory. The total
credits show a surplus over the total debits of only Rs. 3,491-13-8. The Lieute-
nant-Governor would be glad to receive detailed proposals for improving the
position of the keepers at Patna and Berhampur; it should be shown how the
necessary expenditure could be met by reductions in other directions.
8. His Honour is glad to see the favourable terms in which the Inspector-
General acknowledges the general efficiency of the Superintendents and their
subordinates in the discharge of their duties.
9. The European Asylum at Bhowanipur is, as usual, dealt with in a
separate series of paragraphs at the end of the report. The past year was an
uneventful one. The population was slightly smaller than in the previous year,
and the proportion of recoveries among the patients showed a serious diminution,
due, it is said, to the admission of a larger number of females during the year.
The Superintendent reports that they are found to suffer more frequently than
males from the chronic and incurable forms of insanity. The asylum has been
financially well managed, the increase in expenditure being more than covered
by the increase in the receipts from paying patients, and the expenditure
debitable to Government has been proportionately reduced. The health of the
inmates was excellent, and the Lieutenant-Governor has no doubt that the com-
mendation that is bestowed by the Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals on the
general management of the asylum has been well deserved.
ORDER.—Ordered that a copy of this Resolution, together with a copy of
the report, be submitted to the Government of India, Home Department.
Ordered also that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the Inspector-
General of Civil Hospitals, Bengal, for information.
Ordered also that the Resolution be published in the Calcutta Gazette.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
C. C. STEVENS,
Offg. Chief Secy. to the Govt. of Bengal.